 Challenges faced by banana farmers have been brought to the fore by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Honourable Alfred Prosper, during his visit to farms in agriculture regions 7 and 8. Farmers of agriculture regions 7 and 8 got another opportunity to raise awareness of the challenges they face in crop production, this time through one-on-one discussions with Agriculture Minister Honourable Alfred Prosper. In assessing the conditions of a number of banana farms around Roso, Bexaw and the Mondo area, Minister Prosper engaged in discourse with farmers on the cost of fertilizers, soil deficiencies and market access. In recognising these challenges, especially in light of the harsh economic climate caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Minister Prosper reaffirmed his devotion to investigating ways to assist banana farmers. We've seen an increase in the cost of fertilizers in recent weeks and our farmers are extremely concerned and there is an urgent need for something to be done to assist them in whatever way possible to ensure that they can have access to fertilizers, whether it's at a subsidised price that is affordable to them, so that they can fertilize their fields and so that the fertiliser application or the application of fertiliser can contribute to high quality fruits and so the farmer can continue to remain in the industry, the farmer will ensure that he produces, he produces the quality fruits that the market requires. While the current conditions of the banana industry have made it difficult for farmers to efficiently produce high quality products, Minister Prosper noted the industry's potential and its ability to improve. I saw top quality farms, so it gives me a clear indication that there are still many farmers out there who are still very much committed to remaining in the industry because based on what I saw today I could tell some of the farms would not understand that I expected and again it is because of lack of nutrients, the same fertiliser issue, but I can say I saw many farms that were top class, production seemed to be very, very high and we need to ensure that we encourage those farmers and give them the support that they need to remain in the industry. Minister Prosper expressed his intention of meeting with banana farmers across St Lucia in order to engage them and discuss the assistance they require from the government of St Lucia. From the communications unit of the Ministry of Agriculture, I am Anicia Antoine reporting.