Ambassador Fiona Huei-Chun Fan hosted a meeting on June 16 with the participation of Hon. Israel Bruce, Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Coville King, Permanent Secretary, and Ms. Kathian Hackshaw, Chief Veterinary Officer, to hear the professional recommendations of the TaiwanICDF delegation
The delegation visited Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from June 10 to 17, 2026. It was led by Ms. Yu-Hsien Yeh, Director of the TaiwanICDF, and comprised members of the Taiwan Seed Improvement and the Agricultural Technology Research Institute.
During the visit, the delegation conducted comprehensive reviews of the Young Farmers’ Training Project and the Livestock Rearing Project, working closely with the Taiwan Technical Mission to assess project achievements and discuss strategies for further improvement.
As part of the Young Farmers’ Training Project, the demonstration equipment for a plant factory has been installed to enhance agricultural resilience in response to the challenges posed by climate change and food security.
The installation was completed in the first quarter of this year, followed by production trials involving high-value lettuce varieties. The facility is currently capable of producing more than 90 pounds of lettuce per week, equivalent to approximately 360 pounds per month, under stable operating conditions. The high-quality produce is well suited to meeting the demand of the premium tourism and hospitality sector.
To further expand production capacity, two additional plant factory systems are scheduled for installation later this year. Upon completion, the facility’s monthly production capacity is expected to increase to approximately 1,200 pounds, further supporting the development of climate-resilient and sustainable agricultural production.
In addition, the 18 trainees of the first cohort have successfully cultivated high-quality grape tomatoes, watermelons, cucumbers, and other crops through the application of IoT-based environmental monitoring and automated cultivation systems. These smart agriculture technologies enable more precise and efficient use of agricultural resources while improving crop quality and production efficiency.
The produce has been well received by the tourism and hospitality sector, demonstrating the market potential of locally grown, high-quality agricultural products. Upon completion of the training programme, these young farmers are expected to gradually enter the agricultural sector and contribute to strengthening linkages between agriculture and tourism, while supporting the sustainable development of the agricultural industry in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
The delegation also engaged in productive discussions with farmers, farmer organizations, and small and medium-sized enterprises to better understand local needs and explore the potential establishment of a Caribbean Regional Plant Tissue Culture and Seedling Research & Development Centre. In addition, the delegation was honored to exchange valuable views with Minister Bruce on future agricultural cooperation and regional development opportunities.
We sincerely thank all parties involved for their warm hospitality, valuable insights, and continued support throughout the visit.
Taiwan remains committed to working hand in hand with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to strengthen agricultural resilience, empower young farmers, promote agricultural innovation, and foster sustainable food security for the Caribbean region.
