Alfred Prospere’s tenure as Minister of Agriculture in Saint Lucia has been nothing short of disastrous for the country’s agricultural sector. Under his leadership, Saint Lucia’s agriculture industry has seen a significant decline, with a staggering 17% drop in overall production.
Perhaps the most concerning has been the sharp decline in key areas like pork production, which plummeted by a devastating 41.6%, leaving many farmers struggling to sustain their livelihoods. Banana production, a staple of the local agricultural economy, has also been hit hard, falling by 45.5%, leading to increased reliance on imports and exposing the vulnerability of our food supply.
Livestock production hasn’t fared any better, with a decline of 17.3%, pushing farmers deeper into financial hardship and forcing many to abandon their farms altogether. This severe downturn has left countless families in rural communities without a sustainable source of income, crippling local economies and eroding food security.
Prospere’s mismanagement has stripped away decades of progress in the agriculture sector, leaving farmers frustrated and desperate. Without clear vision, strategic planning, or support for innovation and sustainability, his tenure has been marked by missed opportunities and broken promises. It’s clear that Saint Lucia cannot afford to continue down this path—our agricultural future depends on bold, effective leadership that puts the needs of farmers first.