Saint Lucia receives 150 animals to boost livestock diversity with artificial insemination lab

Saint Lucia: An artificial insemination laboratory is all set to be established in Saint Lucia to boost the breeding of diverse animal species.

The development was announced by Agriculture Minister Alfred Prospere following the island’s acquisition of around 150 animals through a shipment which arrived on June 13 carrying 16 different animal breeds.

A vehicle carrying 150 animals comprising goats, sheep, pigs and cattle arrived on the island last week. These animals will be finding residence at the agriculture stations in Micoud and Vieux Fort.

Minister Prospere anticipated that these new bloodlines would significantly enhance the island’s livestock industry and views this development as a crucial stride toward bolstering Saint Lucia’s food security measures.

He also encouraged the farming community to seize the opportunity and advance the livestock sector substantially in the next few weeks.

The Minister noted, “We will be beginning the construction of an artificial insemination lab that will cause for us to be increasing production of these new breeds of animals that would become available to our livestock farmers.”

“I spoke to the animal supplier this morning, and she’s very happy that the animal seems to be in very good health after getting into the island. We were told one Pig did not make it, and there was no reason for it, but we expect those things to happen,” he further added.

In addition to this, Prospere has announced efforts to inaugurate an agriculture station aimed at enhancing food security as part of the program. The government is distributing around 100 gallon tanks to livestock farmers to support the development efforts.

He also mentioned that in the next few months, these animals will be developed and outlined, “I was told that there is a specific cattle breed for beef production, and you know beef production is very important for us, and we import a lot of the meats that means we should be producing locally and if we get the breed of especially the beef I’m sure that will help us boost our local production.”

Several other initiatives are currently underway within the agriculture sector to support Greenhouse farmers and improve Farm drainage programs.