WINFA seeks help for farmers

WINFA has embarked on a number of initiatives to seek assistance for the farmers of the Windward Islands, the Fair Trade farmers of Dominica and St. Lucia in particular, in light of their pressing needs following the devastation caused by Hurricane Dean.{{more}}

Preliminary assessments so far indicate almost total destruction in Dominica, 75-80% damage in St. Lucia and a much smaller figure of about 10% in St.Vincent.

In a press release issued on Tuesday, WINFA expressed solidarity with all farmers affected and said they are working in conjunction with other stakeholders including the Governments of the Windward Islands to ensure a speedy revival of the banana industry and agriculture in general.

According to the release, WINFA leaders and leaders of the Fair Trade organizations have already made assessment visits to the areas most affected in St. Lucia and Dominica. In St.Lucia these visits included representatives of the Fair Trade Labelling Organization (FLO) while in Dominica WINFA leaders, led by President Marcella Harris are hosting similar assessment visits by representatives of OXFAM. Meetings have also been held there with Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerritt who has pledged his government’s full support for the recovery efforts. WINFA Co-ordinator Renwick Rose was due to visit both islands this week for further discussions.