The Saint Lucia Social Development Fund (SSDF), operating under the Ministry of Equity, Social Justice, and Empowerment, has officially launched a Mini Agricultural Project under its flagship Koudemen Sent Lisi (KSL) Programme, a move aimed at empowering vulnerable households through sustainable farming and income generation.
Developed in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, the initiative seeks to provide participants with practical farming skills and the opportunity to develop small-scale agribusinesses.
A cohort of 11 households currently enrolled in the KSL Programme has been selected for the pilot project. Participants began their first training session on August 15, 2025, at the Vieux Fort Fisheries Complex, facilitated by agriculture professionals Mr. Francis Khodra and Ms. Antonia Jagroop (Regional Heads) alongside Mr. Marakiah Auguste (Extension Officer).
KSL Project Coordinator Wendy Monrose emphasized the programme’s transformative potential:
“At KSL, we work assiduously to offer hope and a promise of a brighter future to our clients. Through this agriculture project, we hope to equip participants with the knowledge and skills to manage their farms and backyard gardens, improve food consumption, and create new prospects for farming businesses,” she said.
The KSL Programme was designed to provide holistic support for the island’s most vulnerable households. One of the recurring challenges faced by these families is insufficient income due to unemployment and underemployment.
The Mini Agricultural Project addresses these issues by:
Equipping households with technical farming skills
Promoting food security and healthy consumption
Creating new income streams through the sale of fresh produce
Reducing reliance on external assistance.
Through initiatives like this, the SSDF continues its mission to reduce poverty, empower communities, and promote inclusive development across Saint Lucia. Officials hope that the programme will lay the foundation for sustainable farming businesses capable of uplifting vulnerable families while contributing to the country’s food security goals.
