The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development in Collaboration with the Saint Lucia Marketing Board and the Taiwanese Technical Mission, hosted a graduation ceremony for retail and pack house staff of the Saint Lucia Marketing Board (SLMB)
REPORT: Food Safety Training Graduation Ceremony.
REPORTER: Miguel Mauricette
Date: October 22nd, 2021
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A cohort from the Saint Lucia Marketing Board have received training in the field of post-harvest handling and food safety of fresh produce to ensure quality maintenance, whilst reducing losses between harvest and consumption.
Narration
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development in Collaboration with the Saint Lucia Marketing Board and the Taiwanese Technical Mission, hosted a graduation ceremony for retail and pack house staff of the Saint Lucia Marketing Board (SLMB). The training fell under the “Enhancement of the efficiency of production-distribution supply chain in fruit and vegetable sector project”. The one-and-a-half-day exercise focused on “post-harvest handling and food safety of fresh produce for marketing”. Upon completion of the course, approximately seventeen (17) trainees received certificates and refined skills. Speaking at the graduation ceremony, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development Hon. Alfred Prospere, underscored the importance of this training.
{clip} Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development – Hon. Alfred Prospere
“It is my honor to address you our employees today in this graduation ceremony for many reasons. The Saint Lucia marketing board is key to food security which is essential for the well-being of any nation. Additionally, the purpose of today’s ceremony is to mark the passage of acquisition of knowledge and learning and so graduation or alleviation from one stage to the next. It is inspiring knowing our employees are better equipped to deal with post-handling of produce and food safety practices. I am sure we all know that a number of times produce comes directly from the farm and goes directly to our plates, no means of testing for any chemicals or any other sources that can impact our health. That tells me how important the training means to the Marketing Board and Saint Lucia as a whole”.
Narration
Meanwhile, His Excellency Peter Chen, Ambassador of Taiwan to Saint Lucia reassured the Government of Saint Lucia of his commitment to supporting future developments.
{clip} H.E. Peter Chen – Ambassador of Taiwan to Saint Lucia
“We will only succeed by working together and promoting resilience, innovation and competitiveness in this industry. The embassy of the Republic of China Taiwan will continue to work with Hon. Minister Prospere in the Ministry of Agriculture to help local farmers to mitigate climate emergencies and to be a partner of the Saint Lucia government to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development goals. I thank you all and hope that all of you have benefited a great deal from the workshop”.
Narration
Participant of the post-harvest handling and food safety of fresh produce for marketing training, Charmaine Monrose, expressed gratitude on behalf of her colleagues for the training opportunity.
{clip} Participant – Charmaine Monrose
“Adherence to all aspects of the training will allow us to have a rigorous selection process when purchasing. Better management practices of our pack house and retail department, so our customers who patronize would be certain that the produce we provide are absolutely free from all contaminants. Thanks to the Taiwan Technical Mission, Mr. Thomas Edmund and the management of the Saint Lucia Marketing Board for affording the staff this opportunity. I end with a quote from Benjamin Franklin “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest”.
Narration
The training was facilitated by Food Safety Consultant- Thomas Edmund. The graduation took place on Thursday October 21st at the Union Orchid Garden.
From The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Miguel Mauricette Reporting.
