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IN BRIEF
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and pineapples, but the situation remains critical. The decline in local production, in the face of a growing dependence on imports, highlights a loss of food autonomy . In addition, land issues and the aging of farmers complicate the future prospects for fruit growing on the island.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SwIXK1CfNeUGuadeloupe, a magnificent Caribbean archipelago, has long been known for the richness and variety of its agricultural products. However, in recent years, we have observed a worrying slowdown in fruit production on our land. Diseasesaffecting certain crops and a growing dependence on imports are jeopardizing our food autonomy. As the local population turns to foreign markets to satisfy its needs, farmers like Larric Bonine are trying to revitalize local production through innovative methods. This article explores the challenges and issues surrounding the scarcity of fruits grown
An alarming situation In just ten years, fruit production in Guadeloupe has fallen by 50%. This decline is largely linked to diseases such as wilt, which inevitably affect the quality and yield of our crops. As a study by the Ministry of Agriculture indicates, the majority of fruits found on our stalls now come from the foreigner . In fact, three out of four fruits we eat are not grown on our island, raising real concerns about our food autonomy . Diseases and their impact
Agricultural diseases are taking on phenomenal proportions and have direct consequences on fruit production. Take the example of
pineapple , whose production increased from 5,000 tonnes in 2010 to around 2,400 tonnes today. Wilt is a disease that dries out plants and affects various types of crops in our territory. Likewise, the lime suffered huge losses due to the appearance of the parasiteyellow dragon , which significantly reduced yields, from 5,850 tonnes in 2011 to just 1,542 tonnes in 2020.The economic consequences
The relationship between supply and demand has been profoundly affected. Due to the lack of local fruit on the market, prices of imported fruit often remain more competitive. This poses a real problem for our farmers who see their
products struggle to find a buyer, while a fruit grown abroad can be sold less expensively. It is in this logic that Tony Lanclume, director of Safer de Guadeloupe, underlines the urgency of action to reverse this trend of increasing dependence on imports.A market dominated by imports The trend towards fruit importation has reached a critical point. Consumers, looking for affordable products, are often willing to buy fruit from abroad, which further destabilizes our local production. For example, the lime Guadeloupean sells at 5.60 euros per kilo while that imported can reach 4.99 euros. This situation raises the question ofeconomic viability
agriculture on the island.
Challenges for farmers The struggle of farmers to maintain their activity is real. Many of them face various obstacles: lack of water
, difficulties in accessing stable markets and delays in payments. These practical problems cause many local farmers and producers to feel discouraged and withdraw from production. The average age of farmers also influences the future of production in Guadeloupe. Many of them are over 70 years old and very few young people are moving into the agricultural field.
Solutions to consider To maintain local production, it is essential to put in place clear strategies. It is necessary to consider a planned agriculture and diversified, which allows young people to get started in fruit growing. Better land management, more aid to farmers and the creation of distribution networks could revitalize the local market. A real agricultural policy
taking into account the specificities of Guadeloupe could contribute to strengthening our food autonomy.
The role of the community and local initiatives Government authorities must also become aware of the urgency of the situation. Funding local initiatives could prove beneficial; educational programs for young people on agricultural practices and the importance of consuming local should be highlighted. The LKP collective, for example, advocates alternative solutions to stabilize the fruit sectors.Local consumption to promote
The promotion of
local fruits must become a priority. Buying local can help farmers maintain their farms while reducing our dependence on imports. By facilitating access to markets for Guadeloupean products, we can not only support our farmers, but also encourage the consumption of fresh products, at the same time increasing the health of the population. Partial conclusion
Despite major challenges like
reduction in cultivated areas
and devastating diseases, the stories of producers like Larric Bonine show that there is still hope. By diversifying crops and opting for innovative production models, it is possible to revitalize local agriculture in Guadeloupe. The path to food autonomy is strewn with pitfalls, but a bright future remains within reach with commitment and gathering of our forces.
discover the challenges of fruit scarcity and its impact on agriculture, the economy and our food. explore the causes of this shortage and potential solutions to ensure a sustainable supply. Testimonies on the scarcity of fruits grown in Guadeloupe Farmers in Guadeloupe are increasingly concerned about scarcity of fruits local. Tony, a farmer in the heart of Basse-Terre, expresses his frustration:
“In 2010, we still produced 5,000 tonnes of pineapple. Today, it’s almost half. It hurts to see our production collapse to this extent. »
He also mentions diseases that corrode crops, such as wilt which hits pineapples, making the situation even more delicate. For his part, Larric, a young dynamic farmer, chose to turn to fruit cultivation
“I grow associated crops. This makes my production profitable! But with the general drop in production, I wonder if it will still be viable in a few years. »
The issues of food addiction are also crucial. A young consumer, Amélie, is worried about the situation: “When I go to the market, I notice that most of the fruits come from abroad. It’s frustrating, because I prefer local products. We need to support our farmers! » Frédéric, a 50-year-old farmer, speaks of a alarming decline of the number of producers on the island. He states it seriously:
“If we do nothing, in a decade, there will only be former farmers left. Young people do not engage in this profession because of insecurity. » This observation saddens those passionate about agriculture and Guadeloupean culture. Finally, Alain, an activist for food autonomy, underlines the importance of agricultural planning
for the future. “We must act quickly! If we identify available agricultural land and give it to young people, we could revive local production. »
The message is clear: the survival of Guadeloupean agriculture is at stake.