A strategy to safeguard Saint Lucia’s Plant Genetic Resources

Saint Lucia, a Caribbean island renowned for its lush volcanic landscapes and vibrant culture, is also highly exposed to climate change. Spanning 617 square kilometers, this tropical paradise faces rising temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events. These challenges put its agriculture, water resources, and biodiversity under pressure. However, these challenges also bring an opportunity that has yet to be fully explored: Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA).

These resources, an essential part of Saint Lucia’s agricultural heritage, are rare in urban markets, absent from tourist tables, and increasingly unfamiliar to younger generations. In fact, most food consumed in Saint Lucia is imported. PGRFA, however hold the key to diversifying farms and diets, reducing the food sector’s carbon footprint, and creating livelihoods for youth and women. To unlock this potential, the FAO has supported the development of the Strategic Action Plan for the Conservation and Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture through the ACP-MEAs 3 Programme, funded by the European Union. Enabled by this support, the Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) has developed the Strategic Action Plan, providing a comprehensive roadmap for the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources in Saint Lucia.