Farmers from across three agricultural zones converged in Vieux Fort yesterday for a hands-on workshop focused on improving tomato yields and building resilience against crop diseases. Held at the National Skills Development Centre (NSDC), the session offered both practical and scientific insights into tomato variety performance across Saint Lucia’s varied growing conditions.
Organized by Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean (SAC) and funded by the World University Service of Canada (WUSC), the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to modernize tomato cultivation through data-driven farming practices. The workshop emphasized the importance of selecting the right tomato variety based on environmental and seasonal factors.
Johnny Smith, a Crop Production Officer and one of the lead facilitators, explained that the project analyzed nine different tomato varieties over a one-year period. “We’ve been observing how these varieties respond to changing environments — what diseases affect them, how well they grow, and how long they produce.
Smith said that the study’s findings are designed to help farmers make smarter choices, especially when navigating Saint Lucia’s two main growing seasons. “We want farmers to take a holistic approach. Not every tomato is built for every season. Picking the right variety can be the difference between profit and loss.”
He also pointed out how field conditions directly influenced the health and productivity of the plants. “We noticed disease symptoms varied across varieties and locations. Some plants held up well, others didn’t. That information is gold to a farmer,” he said.
As part of the training, Smith highlighted common deficiencies seen in the field and provided actionable recommendations to help farmers correct nutrient imbalances and improve crop care. He emphasized the need for proactive crop monitoring and season-specific planning.
Dunston Demille, Perishables Manager at Massy Stores and a member of the WUSC Special Advisory Committee, attended the session to lend a market perspective. “Massy works closely with local agriculture — closer than many realize,” Demille said. “Helping farmers succeed with new tomato varieties benefits everyone, especially the end consumer.”
Demille noted that failed tomato crops have created a ripple effect in the supply chain, leading to inconsistent supply on supermarket shelves. “We’re not seeing the yields we expect, which affects profitability for farmers and product availability for customers. Everyone loses in that cycle,” he said.
The workshop concluded with a field trip to a trial farm in Beausejour, Vieux Fort, where farmers saw the different tomato varieties in action. They were able to observe firsthand the impact of disease resistance, soil conditions, and plant care on yield and quality.
To cap off the day, participants sampled several tomato varieties during a guided tasting session — allowing them not only to see but also to taste the difference proper variety selection can make. Organizers say more workshops of this kind are in the pipeline, aiming to empower farmers with the knowledge to boost local production and food security.