JICA’s business development support for Babonneau women farmers

Published on June 29, 2026

The Japan International Cooperation Agency [JICA] has reached out to women farmers in Babonneau through its One Community One Product Project.

Mr. Hirohito Takata - Resident Representative of JICA Saint Lucia says its origin is in the One Village, One Product movement that started in 1979 in the Oita Prefecture in Japan.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Sustainable Development is the implementing agency for the OCOP Project.

JICA’s business development support for Babonneau women farmers OCOP Saint Lucia chose to work with the Babonneau Cluster of the Saint Lucia Network of Rural Women Producers established by IICA 17 years ago. Louisa Anthony is the President Babonneau Cluster of the Saint Lucia Network of Rural Women.

Among the founding members of the Babonneau Cluster are seasoned farmers Andrina Philips and Paula Joseph-Berthier.

JICA Local Consultant, Ms Kendra Payne, worked closely with the Babonneau Cluster to ensure the group’s’ readiness to adopt the OCOP framework and approach.

The Babonneau Cluster has been processing flour, relishes and chutneys from locally grown agricultural products. 

Products from the Babonneau Cluster are available at the Marketing Board in Castries and at Aplough Supermarket in Babonneau.