The Ladelin (Delcer) Women Farmers Association in Choiseul has received a significant donation of irrigation equipment from the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM), a move expected to drastically alleviate water scarcity issues for their crops. The handover ceremony, held at the Delcer R.C. Combined School on October 17 saw the association receive a blended irrigation system, which includes drip lines and sprinklers
Her Excellency Nicole Su, Taiwan’s ambassador to Saint Lucia, emphasised that the donation marks another achievement in the strong partnership between Taiwan and Saint Lucia, aimed at fostering sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture.
Ambassador Su stated that the project is symbolic of a shared vision to empower communities, especially women farmers, to adapt to climate challenges and improve their livelihoods. She explained that traditionally, many farmers in the area relied solely on rainfall, leading to unstable harvests during the dry season.
“With this irrigation system, farmers can now draw water directly from the main source to their fields, ensuring a steady and reliable water supply. This will help production and improve both income and food security,” Su said.
The project will enable 25 farmers to cultivate various crops, including sweet potatoes, cabbages, tomatoes, cucumbers, watermelons, and seasoning peppers, with a more reliable water source.
The donation is complemented by the Ministry of Agriculture’s Engineering Unit, which will implement a new main water supply line to tackle the persistent challenges farmers face in sourcing water. Adline Eudovic, project coordinator for the Seven Crops Project (funded by the Government of Taiwan), noted that the previous main water line was undersized, causing irregular supply and limiting production capacity.
Hon. Bradly Felix, parliamentary representative for Choiseul, expressed gratitude to the TTM, acknowledging Taiwan as a “very good friend”. While the area has an “endless supply of water,” he noted the persistent problem of water not reaching various farmers at different times. He congratulated the Ladelin farmers for their “tenacity and resilience,” hoping that Taiwan could become a “permanent partner”.
Nyrie St. Brice, president of the Ladelin (Delcer) Women Farmers Association, affirmed the equipment as both timely and essential, as their incomes are heavily dependent on production capacity.
“As farmers, water supply is one of our main problems, so the inputs we have received will definitely go a long way, especially with our three-inch mainline which will be running across the farms to assist members,” St. Brice said.
Firmin Lafeuillee, agricultural officer, emphasised that farming is particularly challenging for vulnerable groups due to climate change impacts and limited resources, making the TTM’s intervention crucial for crop cultivation. (PR)
