Saint Lucia and Dominica

Timeframe

August 2024 to November 2025

Context

The livestock industry in Saint Lucia has grown significantly over the past several years with over 300 listed livestock farmers, underpinned by a government objective of strengthening the sector and capitalizing on opportunities for economic and rural development.

As a member of the Global Methan Pledge, Saint Lucia has stated its intention to reduce methane from its energy and waste sectors, including through waste to biogas initiatives. Manure and on-farm organic waste management is central to reduce on-farm greenhouse gas emissions, especially when there are few alternatives to direct abatement of animal-derived emissions.

Further, efficient capture of manure and on-farm waste emissions conserves important and costly nutrients that can be recycled to cropping land.

Project Aims

The NZCSA is supporting efforts in Saint Lucia and Dominica to improve agricultural waste management and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The project is developing national Climate Smart Agriculture strategies for practical, cost-effective practices; creating Standard Operating Procedures for demonstration trials; and designing a train-the-trainer programme for farmers, industry, and government.

Progress

The project began in Saint Lucia, focusing on small ruminants and finding ways to capture and reuse farm waste—such as manure and methane—to cut emissions, lower costs, and improve soil health. Following its success, the project expanded to include Dominica, cropping and mixed farming systems, inventory development, and farmer training.

Both countries are working on mitigation options for livestock sectors (pigs, poultry, and small ruminants) and exploring pathways for country-specific emissions factors to improve greenhouse gas inventories and support policy, financing, and international reporting.

This project partners with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and Ternes Agricultural Consulting Pty Ltd, and works closely with the Ministries of Agriculture in both countries. It also connects with similar NZCSA projects in the Bahamas and the Caribbean MRV Hub, where data is used for inventory training.