- St Vincent agriculture sector not yet recovered to pre-volcanic eruption levels.
Various sectors of the economy, such as tourism, fishing, construction, retail commerce, and wholesale trade, have had significant growth. However, the agriculture sector has shown persistently low levels of growth.
Prime Minister Ralph Gonsalves stated recently that the agricultural sector has not yet recovered to its pre-volcanic eruption levels.
Gonsalves stated that the ash resulting from the eruption of La Soufriere in 2021 had adversely impacted several types of agricultural crops.
“I’ve been discussing this with Minister Caesar. It does appear that particular kinds of crops—the root crop, the ash—have had a negative impact.”
“The peanuts. You see them, and I experience it when I shell them. The shell is looking big, but when you look inside, you may see one rather than two or three, and they are quailed up.”
”The general thing is that the ashes are generally good for agriculture. Well, the evidence that is there shows it is not good for all the crops, and the root crops are paying the price.”
Gonsalves reported that farmers have indicated that yams have also been impacted, as well as certain marine life, including lobsters.
Root crops encompass a wide range of food items, including essential ingredients in cooking like potatoes, onions, and carrots, among others.
