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Tourism- Agriculture Linkages

Tourism- Agriculture Linkages. A Working Model of Hotel - Farmer Cooperation - St. Lucia Eustace Vitalis (Sandals Resorts). TOURISM SECTOR.

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Tourism- Agriculture Linkages

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  1. Tourism- Agriculture Linkages • A Working Model of Hotel - Farmer Cooperation - St. Lucia Eustace Vitalis (Sandals Resorts)

  2. TOURISM SECTOR The tourism industry on the other hand has increased its activity significantly over the years surpassing in GDP contribution of the once dominating agricultural sector. In the wider region, the tourist industry forms 31% of GDP, employing over 1 million people. Investments within the industry have been significant and plans are for further investments in a number of OECS countries. [1] Caribbean Tourism Organization (2005)

  3. Issues • Inappropriate organization in the sector; • Reduction in the level of financing; and • Absence of a formalized business approach to agricultural production and marketing.

  4. Constraints • Limited knowledge of the market place by producers; • Limited access to suitable lands, high cost and low productivity of labour, inadequate supply of quality planting material, infrastructure, etc.; • Constraints in the air and sea transportation systems; and • Weak institutional capacity at all levels within the sector.

  5. Opportunities New and Ongoing Initiativies • Culinary – Food festivals (Fish fries in St. Lucia, Dasheen festival in Dominica) • Farm-based tours (eg. Organic farming at Exotica, Dominica) • Protection and preservation of traditional practices and lifestyles – particularly with indigenous peoples • Herbal usage in spas and by products • Agro-heritage (eg. Mamiku and Fond Doux in St. Lucia, Belmont Estate in Grenada, etc) • Sharing of experiences between countries of Latin America and the OECS through farmer’s exchange programmes • Increase intra-regional trade

  6. Threats • Globalisation and trade liberalization • Vagaries of nature • Insensitive approach by hotel purchasers of local produce • Failure to comply with market requirements • Absence of effective information systems about needs of market and production capacity • Lack of appropriate policies and an institutional base to nature and sustain linkages between the two sectors • Absence of appropriate infrastructure (pack houses, storage facilities, etc.)

  7. Threats- Continued • Failure to implement appropriate policies • Changing government policies • Praedial larceny • Hotels, especially small properties, struggling under high cost and fierce competition • Regional airlines under threat • Environmental costs due to undesirable and unregulated practices • Establishing formal relationships between the agriculture and cruise sector.

  8. Agriculture Tourism Linkages Saint Lucia (W.I) Presenter: Eustace Vitalis

  9. SANDALS - LOVE IS ALL YOU NEED RESORTS IN ST. LUCIA

  10. SANDALS AGRICULTURAL NEEDS (weekly) Fruits Watermelons 2500 - 3000 lbs Cantaloupe 2200 – 2500 lbs Honey dew 2200 – 2500 lbs Pineapple 3000 – 3500 lbs Grapefruits 600 – 800 lbs Oranges 800 - 1000 lbs Papaya 300 – 350 lbs

  11. Vegetables Romaine Lettuce 2200 – 2500 lbs Cabbage 600 – 800 lbs Squash Zucchini 600 – 800 lbs Green Bell Peppers 540 – 600 lbs Yellow Bell Peppers 450 – 500 lbs Red Bell Peppers 540 – 650 lbs Tomatoes 1770 – 2000 lbs

  12. Roots & Tubers Yams 800 – 1000 lbs Dasheen 800 – 1000 lbs Sweet Potatoes 900 – 1200 lbs

  13. Sandals Agriculture Programme • Program started in November 2002 • Total # of suppliers/farmers -50 + • # of Farmers Organization - 2 • Over 75% of farmers are women

  14. Activities Undertaken • Training for Purchasing Clerks and Receivers by CARDI & MAFF • Topic: Post –harvest Handling of Fruits, Vegetables and Root Crops • Areas covered • What are fruits, vegetables and root crops • Climacteric vs Non Climacteric fruits • Maturity Indices • Components of Quality • Minimum Quality Standard Requirements for Hotel • Selection • Transportation and Handling • Packaging • Storage • Food Safety Issues

  15. Activities Undertaken • Regular Visits to Farms by Chefs and kitchen staff • Discussions with farmers/suppliers on issues of traceability • Preparation of Project Proposal for funding from the EU – Pending • Key Issues of concern: • Production Scheduling • Agric-Business Management • Developing and updating a Farm Plan • Record-Keeping • Good Agricultural Practices/OECS GAP • Quality Standards and HACCP • Crop Estimating/Forecasting Production • Estimating Cost of Production

  16. Activities Undertaken Farmer Appreciation Luncheon (Dec 2003) Total of over 50 farmers with spouse/partners attended along with Minister of Agriculture, Rep. of Ministry of Tourism and Representatives of key Agricultural Agencies (CARDI. IICA, SLAA, etc).

  17. How a farmer incorporates into the Sandals Agricultural Programme?

  18. FARMER SHOWS INTEREST IN PROGRAMME MAFF CERTIFICATION SANDALS AGRI OFFICER VISIT TO FARMS CLEARENCE TO JOIN PROGRAMME

  19. THANK YOU GRACIAS

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