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02nd
March 2010
Cut Flower
Sector Rapid Assessment Findings in
Association
strengthening, the need to Cluster and synchronizing
with global trends’ were articulated by
Consultants as critical considerations for the
Cut Flower sector in respect of its pursuit
of new markets or niche markets.
The Banana Industry Trust (BIT) commissioned
a rapid assessment of the Cut Flower Sector
in Saint Lucia, as part of the Niche Market
Initiative under Banana Commercialisation and
Agricultural Diversification (BCAD) Programme
funded by the EU under the SFA 2005. The assessment
was conducted between the period January 12
– 24 by a group of consultants comprising
Plant Pathologist Steve Maximay, Agriculturists,
Colin Paul and Algernon Pemberton. The findings
were revealed to a representative group from
the sector at the conference room of the Inter-American
Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA)
Wednesday.
The terms of reference for the conduct of the
assessment informed an evaluation of the state
of production, marketing, distribution (commodity)
system, based on which the consultants were
also required to outline a strategy to develop
a sustainable Cut-Flower Industry.
The study found that the sector’s production
base comprised a combined acreage of 60.35 dedicated
to ginger lilies, anthurium and anthurium hybrid
lilies and heliconias, as well as 6,495 orchids
under cultivation, by some 78 cut flower farmers.
Given the size of the sector and current production
levels, the consulting team noted that notwithstanding
the goal of new and niche market acquisition,
that the potential within the domestic market
has not been fully exhausted.
“Besides landscaping, indoor-caping is
growing in demand. There is also a houseplant
industry with potential. I say this because
several local florists are still importing some
of their stock,” said lead Consultant
Steve Maximay, in his delivery.
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The Specialist
cited vital need for organisation through
clustering, and the presence of a representative
agency that is proactive and structured to
protect the interest of the sector, through
dedicated and aggressive research and sector
monitoring. Vulnerability of cut flowers to
pests and diseases, the growing trend of ethical
consumerism from the market end, and Good
Agricultural Practices (GAPs) standards from
the regulatory end, are all considerations
in the context of an export market.
“When we talk about Niche Markets, we
must appreciate that open competitive type
of marketing will require an adherence to
good agricultural practices and sound management
practices at the cooperative or association
level.” Maximay said.
Organisation of the formal sector began with
the formation of the St Lucia Horticultural
Society by hobbyists. A period of Incentives
made possible through financial assistance
from French and Taiwanese Missions between
1994 and 1997 gave birth to a short-lived
Flower-Growers Organization. In 1999, the
current St. Lucia Floral Co-operative Society
Ltd was registered under the Revised Laws
of St. Lucia. The assessment found that the
last recorded meeting of the Co-operative
was held in early 2006 with fourteen (14)
members present.
The Consulting team of Maximay, Paul and Pemberton
have over two decades of relevant experience
in production, marketing, industry development,
policy formulation and programme implementation.
Their findings and recommendations are being
examined together with Cut Flower farmers
to formulate a strategy to transition the
sector towards increased production capacity,
certification and acquisition of new markets.
Discuss
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