The Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Technical Mission have teamed on a programme to boost pineapple production in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.{{more}}

The initiative was launched on November 18 at the Communication Centre in Spring Village, where more than 50 farmers, consumers and agricultural officials attended a workshop to introduce and promote the establishment of a Pineapple Cooperative in the Leeward area and to help SVG farmers produce and market high-quality pineapples.

The Leeward area farmers were advised to follow the lead of the Rabacca Farmer Fruit and Vegetable Organisation (RFFVO), which was established in March this year with strong support from the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Technical Mission. After six months, that organisation has been successfully supplying quality watermelons to local supermarkets and restaurants weekly.

Experts believe Leeward farmers can achieve similar success with pineapples.

Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), Leo Lee, wished the farmers well, promising that the mission would work directly with the SVG farmers on the production and marketing of their crops.