In a significant development for South-South cooperation, the Caribbean nation of Saint Lucia and Southeast Asia’s Indonesia have formalized an ambitious agricultural partnership with concrete projects scheduled to commence in 2026. This collaboration represents a strategic alignment between two nations separated by vast geographical distance but united in their agricultural development objectives.
The partnership framework was solidified during high-level discussions in Castries, where officials from both governments endorsed a comprehensive roadmap for modernizing Saint Lucia’s agricultural infrastructure. This agreement follows extensive field assessments conducted by Indonesian agricultural specialists who identified key areas for technological transfer and capacity building.
Central to the cooperation are plans to revolutionize Saint Lucia’s coconut industry through advanced processing techniques, expanded cultivation of oil-producing varieties, and the introduction of modern agricultural machinery. The partnership will additionally focus on developing value-added production chains for mangoes, breadfruit, and other tropical fruits indigenous to the Caribbean region.
Kemuel Jn Baptiste, Director of Agricultural Services for Saint Lucia, emphasized the practical implementation framework: “Today’s discussions confirmed the operational details outlined in our roadmap. The division of responsibilities is clear – Saint Lucia will provide personnel and technical expertise, while Indonesia will supply advanced plant materials and agricultural equipment.”
The sentiment was strongly echoed by Indonesian representative Herry Laksono, who characterized Saint Lucia as Indonesia’s priority partner in the Caribbean region. “Despite the considerable geographical distance spanning approximately 18,000 kilometers, our nations share compatible development objectives that necessitate collaborative effort,” Laksono stated.
This bilateral cooperation is strategically significant for both parties: Saint Lucia gains access to Indonesian agricultural technology and expertise to enhance food security and rural development, while Indonesia establishes a strategic foothold for agricultural cooperation within the Caribbean community.
With implementation scheduled for 2026, both governments anticipate the partnership will generate substantial economic benefits for farming communities and contribute to sustainable agricultural development across Saint Lucia.