Taiwan to assist with SVG backyard gardening push

The Government of Taiwan, through its Embassy in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG), is providing a boost to this country’s backyard gardening thrust.

To this end, Ambassador Huei-chun Fan recently presented a quantity of seedlings as well as seed packs to the Ministry of Agriculture for use in the programme at the North Union Secondary School (NUSS).

Representative of CARDI, Donawa Jackson; Principal of NUSS, St. Clair DaSantos; government officers; and more than 400 students of the school were present at the hand over on February 27,2024, a release from the Embassy states.

Ambassador Fan emphasized the 43-year-long friendship between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, with a significant focus on collaborative efforts in the agricultural sector. The ongoing ‘Improving Vegetable Cultivation Management and Post-harvest Handling Project’ aims to bring innovation and improvement to the field, pledging to minimize agricultural product losses through cutting-edge techniques.

A key highlight of the initiative is the seed donations provided to all participants. Ambassador Fan stressed that these seeds represent not just potential crops but a brighter and more sustainable future. Participants, whether seasoned farmers or aspiring agriculture students, were encouraged to leverage these seeds to their fullest potential.

Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar expressed his gratitude for Taiwan’s substantial contribution, adding that education not only equips people with needed skills and knowledge, but also gives them a brighter prospect in

their career opportunities. He said that the ongoing project and agriculture program provided by Taiwan will train local farmers and workers, and will help SVG grow a stronger economy.

Minister Caesar underscored the concept of backyard gardens, and envisioned transforming spaces into thriving gardens contributing to community food security. These gardens, conceived as living laboratories, offer participants a practical application of the skills acquired through the project.

Addressing the young agriculture enthusiasts, Ambassador Fan emphasized their role as active participants in shaping the future of agriculture. She urged them to view themselves not just as witnesses but as contributors to the transformative project. The knowledge gained, she emphasized, will be instrumental in building a sustainable and thriving agricultural community.

Ambassador Fan extended her commitment beyond agriculture by donating sports items, including soccer balls, basketballs, and sports T-shirts, to the North Union Secondary School. This generous gift not only enriches the students’ recreational activities but also underscores the broader scope of collaboration between Taiwan and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Taiwan Technical Mission’s Leader, Chun-Heng Lin, and specialist, Yi-Yang Shen, demonstrated vertical cultivation methods in the backyard garden. Minister Caesar and Ambassador Fan symbolically transplanted a seedling, signifying the enduring friendship and future collaborations between the two nations.