 Agriculture on the move. Agriculture on the move, ma'am. Agriculture on the move. Agriculture on the move. Agriculture on the move, ma'am. Agriculture on the move. Agriculture on the move, ma'am. Good day, viewers, and welcome to the program, Agriculture on the Move. My name, Philip Sidney, your host. Today, we are discussing the contribution made by the government and people of Taiwan to the agricultural sector in St. Lucia. If I may recall, the Taiwan Technical Mission came to St. Lucia somewhere in 1982, and they were established in VFOR, that is the propagation station. And that's where I, myself, became aware of the many melon cultivars that were available, the seedless one, I was not available to that, and also the various colors that cultivars that were present. And then they came up to Union Station, where they were established. And of course, the Orchid Garden, they had the Tushok culture, the tree crop program on the outside, the Orchard. We also had the meat processing facility assistance, the assistance to the banana sector. And we also have trading of farmers, the trading of officers, of course, the seven crop program, first and second phase, and subsidiary to farmers. And the list goes on and on. And here with me is my distinct pleasure to introduce to you the Taiwan Ambassador, his Excellency Peter Chen. Welcome to the program, sir. Thank you for having me, and go after him and all the viewers. Definitely. So you've been here for the past two years? Yes. And also you love St. Lucia, right? Yeah. Okay, there are so many activities that under your watch, that you have implemented in assisting the Ministry of Agriculture. But we can remember post COVID pandemic, and of course, the war in Ukraine, inputs to the farmers became very, very expensive, okay? That also increased the cost of production. And by extension, the cost of purchasing the items became very high. Where did Taiwan come in to give some assistance, some reprieve to the farmers? Yeah, Taiwan worked very closely with Ministry of Agriculture. And so as Ministry of Agriculture, we know the difficulty that farmers encounter. So we work closely with the Ministry and we provide input to St. Lucia and farmers that including organic fertilizer, liquid fertilizer, ground cover, plastic mulch, PMOS. And we also work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture to have input sales. So this year, we will also host four times. And when the date confirmed, we will announce the time and the venue. So we welcome all the farmers to look closely of our Facebook or the information from the Ministry. Great. So they get these inputs at a reduced rate? Yes. Okay. We also work with the Ministry to sell the inputs in a relatively cheap and subsidiary price to local farmers and hopefully to reduce some of their burden. Definitely. I noticed that, you know, of course, the Ministry is very concerned about our food import bill. It is soaring every day, especially our basics that we can grow here, our vegetables, our cabbage, our lettuce, et cetera. And how can your government and your technical team assist the farmers in ensuring that we can do certain things to reduce our food import bill? Yeah, I've seen, like, every time we heard Minister Prosper mentioned and stressed about food security. So that's very important. And I've seen also priority for most of the countries. And the agriculture program that we always administer, the main purpose is to increase the production and also increase the farmer's income. And that I think will realize food security in long term. So in that regards, we work with the Propagation Division and Extension Officer of the Ministry try to help local farmers. For example, we provide seedlings to farmers. And just last week I joined Minister Prosper to provide some seedlings for farmers to buy also in a relative... At a reduced rate. Yeah, at a rate, yeah, to help them to grow more local production. Definitely. And I also saw the minister in our food and nutrition security drive also looked at easing the farmers with small equipment like sprayers. And I noticed that you will give some to them. Yes, just like last week's handover, not only as I mentioned, seedlings we also provide some small equipment. And we try to help farmers to use this small technology or small equipment to produce more local crops. Definitely. And help them to reduce some burden. Definitely, definitely. You would have realized that climate change is there. Yes. And of course it's affecting everyone. And most so the farming community. It's either we have droughts or we have flooding. In what way is the government giving assistance in that regard? Yeah, I think just as you say, climate change is real. And we try very hard to help farmers adapt this climate change or severe weather. And in our first phase, 7-Cross Project, we try to introduce a greenhouse irrigation system or try to introduce some variety, different variety of crops to help adapt that situation. But I believe watch is critical for farming. So that's why the second phase of 7-Cross Project we try to set up 100 irrigation system during this five-year project period. But for that we need collaboration between ministry, between farmers, and also with our technical mission. So very soon we will have a stakeholder dialogue with farmers in Miku next week and try to get more information how we can successfully set up this public irrigation system. Great, very good. As you realize, I'm sure you've been here for the past two and a half years, our farmers are aging. They need to be replaced because we need continuity in our agricultural production system. We need to be hopefully long the road to be self-sufficient as it were. We need to get young people on board. We need to get them trained. We need to accept the fact that agriculture is key for country. We need to feed ourselves. But then I don't think they want to come in into an agriculture system looking at all-time equipment. They need to have IT and everything modernized for agriculture. How are you all going to assist in that area? Aging problem in agriculture is not only a problem in Taiwan and in Senutia, I think in many countries. I think one of the main challenges is the stereotype of farming. People think it's not a very interesting job, or it needs intensive, heavy work. So that's something we need to change. And I think that's also Honorable Minister Prosperous's idea to introduce technology into agriculture. For example, last year, we import four terrors and four land cultivators. And we will work with Ministry of Agriculture to have a demonstration in the small machinery expo to try to introduce this technology to young farmers or youths to attract them to get into this industry. And we also think that it should be a start earlier. So we will work closely with Ministry of Education and Ministry of Agriculture to try to combine their efforts to implement some IoT devices into a secondary school campus, including simply equipped wager stations, soil sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, solar panels. So that will help students and young farmers to know farming when they don't have much experience in farming, just like me, to get into the agriculture industry easily. And so that's how we make farming or agriculture more interesting and more attractive to young people. Definitely. Let's go back to the seven-crop program and, of course, the first phase and the second phase. The first phase was a success based on what we know. And that's why you came in and you gave another chance for a second phase. You pumped in about $10 million in that regard. So all the implements that you have given, it is to enhance the seven-crop program. Yes. Because the first seven-crop program, we try to increase the production of crops and also increase farmers' income. But at the second phase, we try to make a more variety of different crops and also try to increase the production and also consumption of local products. So we try to reduce, in that way, we try to reduce impoverished and also try to achieve the full security goal. And that's what we often say, the 25. 25. Yes, yes, yes. Part of that whole seven-crop program, there are a number of components in there. I know there is the farmer field school training program for farmers. And will that be continuing? Yes. I think we will have more activity, more wash up. And last year, I actually attended most of the farmers' market. And this year, we will also have farmers' market, I think, from March to October and each one for each month. And the first one in March will be in Miku. And then, I believe, will be in Constitution Power. And then we will select a couple of good locations. Try to, one way, showcase farmers' products. And the other way is try to revitalize or try to help local economy. Definitely. But the farmers' market that you have had over the years along the island, in your evaluation, do you believe it has been a huge success? I think we see great journey progress. I think now more and more people know farmers' market. I think we just need to have more promotion and more collaboration between ministry, between technical mission, and also local constituency council. Try to make it more like to have people get information earlier so that we can guarantee the success of each farmers' market. Great. So in terms of the schools, how are you getting involved in really assisting the schools in the agricultural programs? Many schools have their school garden or campus garden. I think that's a very good way to help children learn agriculture or learn this industry in the early age and also to create some interest for the young people. And I think that the Taiwan Technical Mission can provide good technical knowledge or know-how assistance to the students to help them get into and know more about agriculture. I know you mentioned earlier on the various varieties and cultivars that are adaptable to the climate conditions. Are you all hoping to bring down new varieties to assist the farmers, the schools in adventure? I think that we will always consider to bring new variety, new species that will be more resilient to the climate change. So I think that's the direction. Definitely. And we will try very hard to work closely with the ministry and to try to locate what is the exact variety that is good for farming in solution. Very good. OK, we are due for a break. You are watching Agriculture in the Move. Stay tuned. Back soon. The Ministry of Agriculture, fisheries, food security and rural development is placing heavy emphasis on the concept of food security. It's our prosperity, our future. The enhancement of the efficiency of production distribution supply chain in the fruit and vegetable sector project, more commonly known as the seven crops project, is intended to increase local production of all selected crops and decrease our food import bill through the diversification of the agricultural sector and increased production of the targeted crops. Among the provisions are subsidized input sales, seedling distribution, introduction of new varieties, introduction to new technology, erection of weather stations and capacity building. For more on the seven crops project, contact the project coordinator at 468-8122. Welcome back to the program, Agriculture on the Move. Of course, with me, my guest is His Excellency Peter Chen, Taiwan's ambassador. And of course, we're talking about the areas they have assisted the agricultural ministry with various programs and projects assisting the farmers and of course the schools in that regard. So I remember you had a very keen interest in looking at our agro-processing in St. Lucia. The ministry have had many festivals. We had the banana, we had the sea moss, and you came in and you decided you wanted to contribute and you wanted to look at the mango festival. What made you come up with that idea? I think when we help farmers to increase their production, the other way that we can help farmers through food processing. Because I saw a lot of mango trees in St. Lucia. But not many people really utilize mango for food processing or to make new products. So that's why when I talk with the honorable minister Prosper about that, we come up with the idea to have a mango festival. So also, mango is one of my favorite fruits, so that's why. And I think mango festival is a hit and even my wife contributes some of her private recipes. Definitely. In fact, I notice the schools were participated in that regard. I think that's a brilliant idea to have school join this mango festival or all different kinds of festivals. So your children or students, they always have innovation idea or creative idea. We are very happy that they can join and we make the mango festival more brilliant and more attractive to people. Part of the seven crops program, the second phase, I noticed you had eggplants on board. You also had the schools coming in to do some menus in eggplants. Again, tell us about this. Eggplant is very nutrition and eggplants can grow very well on the island. And in Senusia, there's plenty, a different variety of eggplants. But I think it's the same as mango that not many people really think of how to make good utilize of eggplants. So that's also part of the idea of consumption, more local production and reduce impoverished. So that's why Taiwan Technical Mission cooperates with the Ministry of Agriculture and also Southeast Community College. Invite some of the secondary school or primary school to come up with some idea about how to utilize eggplant to make different food like normal dishes or even sweets or even cake. That's really amazing to have eggplant sweets. And it's really delicious. And I'm really glad that all these students, teachers come up with very, very good idea. And I think when people notice that you can actually use eggplant to produce all different kinds of food, that eggplant will become a very popular vegetable on the island. Definitely. The other one I noticed that you had keen interest in, too, was the production of mushrooms. Yes. Yes. And I must say, mushrooms over the years, we began this some years ago. But it never took root until my good friend up in the Babono area, I think he called his business the Fungi Fungi or something like that. And he has been vigorously marketing his mushrooms around the island. And I think with that in mind, I mean, mushroom has been consumed here on a regular basis at the hotels and the restaurants and even at the homes. So your contribution in assisting that program, how did you come up with this? Mushroom is a lucrative crop on the island. When I visit supermarket, it's about 25 EC per pound. And there's a market on the island. And it's actually the project that initiated by IECA, Inter-American Institute for Corporation on Agriculture. And we cooperate, our technical mission cooperate with IECA to promote this project and invite farmers to start growing mushroom. And mushroom is a very nutrition vegetable. And I believe we can create a very good market on the island. And I believe very soon we will have mushroom festival. Yes. I think it's somewhere in June, I think. I think so. Yeah. It's the year four. I know you contributed meaningfully to the banana industry on the island. There was a program last year. So I know it came to an end. But can you give me an evaluation from your standpoint of your contribution to ensure that the banana sector got to where it's at today? Yes. Banana is a very important fruit on the island, or agriculture production on the island. And I think in the beginning, we have a project that addressed the disease of banana, Cicatoga disease. And that's, I think, a successful project trying to help to get rid of that disease. And a second banana project is trying to increase the production of banana. And I believe we all reach our goal of the two projects. So that's why last year, the project end. And we will include the production and also the food processing part of banana into the second phase of Seven Cross Project and try to still provide assistance to banana farmers. Definitely. I also realized that some years ago, you brought in some, what I call them, crops. You had the wax apple. You also brought in the dragon fruit. Are you expecting to bring in new species into St. Lucia? I think that's always in consideration. So as I say, we have to work with the Ministry of Agriculture to try to locate which variety or which kind of fruits or vegetable is good to produce in St. Lucia and have good revenues. So that's how we can reduce the impoverished and also increase the income of farmers. The dragon fruit is indigenous to your country? Actually, it's not. But I think it grows very well in Taiwan. And we have different species. And I believe dragon fruit can also grow very well on St. Lucia because the temperature, the climate are pretty much the same in Taiwan and in St. Lucia. The continuous training of St. Lucia or young people into agriculture. I know in Taiwan, you have trained quite a few people from St. Lucia. Will that be an ongoing program? Many St. Lucia students apply Taiwan scholarship and study agriculture in Taiwan. And they will become very good exit for St. Lucia to grow agriculture industry. And that's the ongoing program for Taiwan to provide a scholarship for St. Lucia students. And we have many universities. They have very good agriculture program. And I encourage more St. Lucia students to apply Taiwan scholarship and to study in Taiwan. What sort of areas that you offer in terms of scholarship? Any area specifically, when it comes for training? For scholarship, for the scholarship, students can choose whatever they like. So all different kinds of major that they can choose. For training, there's two assistance. One is for students to apply scholarship to study in Taiwan for a degree. And the other is training that we provide some workshop for public officers or some private sectors to have a short-term training in Taiwan. And the workshop will decide on what category is the most needed in St. Lucia. Back to the mushrooms. I know, moving forward, I know, like I said, you have put in some funding in that area. There's supposed to be some training. All the farmers in that area are coming up soon. How are you getting involved in the training of those farmers? We will work closely with Aika to help all the attendee to get the best from the training. And we are really looking forward to see that it make progress. OK. I was about to come to the end of the program. Any final words you have to give to St. Lucia? I think agriculture industry is very important to every country. And we need collaboration between the public sector, private sector, and we hope to help and to reach our goal to increase the production, increase the consumption of local products, and increase the income of farmers. And also, one very important issue is to adapt the climate change issue. And we will help to provide more assistance in that regard. And for that, I also would like to thank the solution government to always support our bid in UNFCCC. I believe if we join UNFCCC, Taiwan can contribute more. Definitely. I really want to thank you, sir, for being on the program and to share your involvement in assisting the government and people of St. Lucia with your expertise from your Taiwan technical mission. I want to thank you for being here. Thank you. I'm glad to keep on working with the government of St. Lucia to benefit more to the people. And I want to say thank you to the government and people of Taiwan for having you here to assist us in that regard. Before I end, I just want to highlight, for our independence, we also have our seafood festival, which is coming on stream on the 22nd, our Independence Day. And that is going to be held at the Fishes Complex, Sansu Sea, from 10 o'clock until 8 o'clock in the evening. Of course, come and enjoy yourself. There will be an array of seafood vendors. Come and enjoy just to tell you that there are certain things that are not in season. Totally not in season. We do not have, of course, there's a monatorium on crayfish. And of course, sea eggs are not in season. But come and enjoy yourselves. Bring your kids. You know, there'll be a kid zone. And of course, do not cook on that day. Just come and enjoy seafood and enjoy yourself. So again, I want to say thank you again, Ambassador, for being here. And I hope you come to the seafood festival to enjoy yourself on that day too. Sure, definitely. Definitely. Thank you for viewing. And remember, agriculture is our business. Eat fresh. It's in Lucia's best. I'm Philip Sidney. Bye-bye. Agriculture on the move. Agriculture on the move, ma'am. Agriculture on the move.