Project Detail

Greening the Saint Lucia Floral Industry by Integrating Eco-Friendly Principles and Methods into the Production Process.

This project will help to transition the Saint Lucia Floral Industry to a more eco-friendly one by achieving the many salient objectives stated in the project document. The objectives are to: (i) develop a national policy and comprehensive plan, which transforms the Floral Industry to a Green Enterprise, within three years: (ii) develop standards and protocols for approval and implementation by the industry, within eight (8) months of the project approval; (iii) establish a minimum of ten (10) farms and at least three community beautification projects operating on green principles by the second year of the project; (iv) develop the capacity of the SLFCS and the capability of its members to develop and manage a sustainable Green Floral Industry by the end of the project. (v) rebrand, market and elevate the Saint Lucia Floral Industry as a contributor to the evolving green economy in Saint Lucia, by the end of the second year; and (vi) inform and educate various publics about the benefits of a Green Floral Industry in Saint Lucia. By the end of the project, all of these objectives would have contributed to achieving the goal of transforming the industry to a more sustainable enterprise which has minimal negative impact on the environment. The project will contribute to the CPS outcome of reducing toxic chemicals whilst significantly increasing awareness and use of alternatives.

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Project Snapshot

Grantee:

Saint Lucia Floral Cooperative Society Ltd.

Country:

Saint Lucia

Area Of Work:

Chemicals

Operational Phase:

OP5-Y3 (Jul 13 - Jun 14)

Grant Amount:

US$ 43,041.00

Co-Financing Cash:

US$ 157,011.00

Co-Financing in-Kind:

US$ 165,377.00

Project Number:

STL/SGP/OP5/Y3/STAR/CH/13/08

Start Date:

1/2014

End Date:

6/2017

Status:

Satisfactorily Completed

Project Characteristics and Results

Emphasis on Sustainable Livelihoods

It is hoped that with the re-branding of the industry a more upscale market will be open which will increase the rate of turnover and augment income for the growers. It is also hoped that with this transition external markets will be accessed.

Inovative Financial Mechanisms

Not applicable

Significant Participation of Indigenous Peoples

Not applicable.

Project sustainability

The project is sustainable because it identified and trained members in new techniques; improved the marketing image of the organisation; caused the group to be a more effective and recognised player in the national economy and abroad, which resulted in the invitation of the group to several international events. The group was for the first time given a major task by the Government of Saint Lucia to beautify the entrance to the Nelson Mandela Drive which also leads to George Charles Airport.

Planning non gef grant

There are no plans to upscale at this time.

Planning gef grant

There are no such plans.

Gender Focus

There is no specific gender programme, but what was noted is that more women enter the industry and remain for longer periods.

Linkages gef projects

There were no linkages.

Policy Impact

This project aims at developing a national policy and a comprehensive plan of action as well as national standards and site management protocols for implementation.

Promoting Public Awareness of Global Environment

This project has a significant public awareness and education component which will raise awareness on the use of toxic chemicals as one means of reducing impacts on the environment.

Capacity - Building Component

This project has two capacity development components. The first focuses on the grantee and its members and the second on stakeholders and other flower growers.

Notable Community Participation

This project will involve many stakeholders from Government to the private sector and communities. Meetings and workshops will be used, but at some point it is expected that a knowledge fair will be scheduled along with other SGP grantees.

Policy Influence

This project worked on green standards for the floral industry in Saint Lucia with the Saint Lucia Bureau of Standards. By the end of the project, these standards were still being reviewed and had not been approved. It is highly probable that they will be approved in the future at which time this insert will be updated.

Replication of project activities

We are not aware of any replication of project activities beyond Saint Lucia. What is clear is that the move towards a green industry has set an example for other similar industries in Saint Lucia. We are also aware that as new members joined they were introduced to the green methods.

Project Results

Transforming an industry takes a long time and as a result this project was from the outset very ambitious in aiming to move production processes to greener and more organic standards within two years. As per the final report, the group achieved the following outputs: (i) National Policy and Plan developed for greening the industry and is being reviewed for approval; (ii) Ten farms are in transition towards using greener and more organic standards; (iii) Executive members were exposed to modern organisational standards and management for Cooperatives and received certificates of participation; (iv) Members techniques in organic methods were improved through training in GAP, using natural products to manufacture weedicides, pesticides and nutrients; and (v) Through exhibitions, presentations and various media appearances, the public was informed of the transformation in progress.

Nine persons (2 women and 7 men) were employed during the project cycle and earned a total of US$4444.00 ((US$1333 by women and US$3111 by men). The areas of employment were weeding and applying nutrients, manufacturing plant-based weedicides and pesticides, and supervision.

Overall this project trained members to think and observe like scientists while also teaching them how to find most inputs from the farm. It also made members understand more fully the inextricable link between environment health, plant health, and human health.

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