A new Taiwan – Saint Lucia agriculture project, Saint Lucia Commercial Orchid Greenhouse Management Project, has been launched at Union Orchid Garden facility recently. This latest venture aimed to develop a standardized model for the commercial production of orchid and enhance the greenhouse management capacity of local farmers.
On June 13th, 2018, the Ministry of Agriculture cooperated with Taiwan Technical Mission to hold the first workshops at Union, which will enhance the management capacity of the local staff and agriculture officers. Trainees were taught techniques orchids and tropical flowers cultivation and management of greenhouse. Ms. Alicia George, Director of Agricultural Services of the Ministry noted that with the demanding of orchid in domestic and regional market continuously growing, the ministry will cooperate with Taiwan technical mission closely to further develop orchid industry in Saint Lucia. She also encouraged trainees take the chance to develop personal professional capacity.
Mr. Mario Cheng, head of Taiwan Technical Mission explained that the workshop is part of the on-going Saint Lucia commercial orchid greenhouse management project in which Taiwan will invest US$50,000. The Project is expected to increase the output of Union Orchid Greenhouse by 20% and will also introduce new orchid varieties to local farmers.
The Governments of the Republic of China (Taiwan) and Saint Lucia set up the Orchid Garden Facility at Union in 2009, and Taiwan orchid experts were stationed to assist with cultivation, management and promotion. The Union Facility was highly praised for its high quality orchid products. The project was handed over to the Government of Saint Lucia in 2013 and operated by the Ministry of Agriculture.
Mr. Mario Cheng, head of Taiwan Technical Mission explained the know how in orchids and tropical flowers cultivation and management technology in greenhouse at workshop
