The Government of St. Luica has not to date received a formal proposal from Rayneau Industries Ltd. as it relates to the purchase and marketing of agricultural produce.
However, the Government of St. Lucia, through its Ministry of Agriculture, has indicated that such an arrangement that St. Lucia would not be welcome willy nilly.
St. Lucia’s Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere is on record as saying, “It is something I am still thinking about, but I am hoping something can work out, but I am not sure at this time we are ready for the same arrangement that he has in Saint Vincent.”
Rayneau Gajadhar, a St. Lucian native, launched Rayneau Industries Limited in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The company buys all farmers’ agricultural products, reportedly pays the farmers immediately, and seeks export markets.
“We have not received any proposals from him in terms of government,” the Agriculture Minister assured.
“I know we have had a lot of discussion around it, and you know, how we think it can work,” Prospere recalled.
Nevertheless, the Agriculture Minister explained that St. Lucia differs from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Prospere pointed to the Saint Lucia Marketing Board, where farmers are already registered.
He also observed that some farmers have contracts to supply places like hotels and Massy Stores Supermarket.
At the same time, Prospere acknowledged that the Rayneau project would have been best for Saint Lucia farmers, ensuring that they get paid for whatever they produce.
In addition, he noted the importance of competition.
“But at the same time you want to ensure that the decisions you make would not negatively impact the farmers,” the Minister said.
Gajadhar, in response to Prospere’s statement, blamed the apathy of successive governments for the failure to implement the project in Saint Lucia. (Source: St. Lucia Online)
