Saint Lucia - Assessment of small ruminant and non-ruminant intensive production systems for waste recovery and re-use

Rationale

Agriculture plays a central role in Saint Lucia’s economy and rural livelihoods, with livestock production contributing significantly to food security. However, methane emissions from manure management and livestock systems remain a key source of greenhouse gases and short-lived climate pollutants. At present, Saint Lucia relies on Tier 1 methodologies for estimating emissions, which provide generalized values that do not reflect national circumstances or production systems. This constrains the country’s ability to develop targeted mitigation measures and accurately report progress under international commitments.

To address these challenges, the Government of Saint Lucia aims to transition to Tier 2 emissions calculations for livestock, enabling more precise monitoring and integration of methane mitigation strategies into the 2026 NDC update and the Long-Term Strategy to 2050. The project will also build institutional capacity within the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Rural Development and the Saint Lucia Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), equipping them with the tools and knowledge needed to implement effective manure management practices, adopt waste recovery technologies, and report comprehensively on emissions reductions. Co-funding from the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC) further strengthens the project by supporting in-depth technical reviews of manure management systems, prediction equations, and opportunities for waste reuse in the agricultural sector.

Objectives

• Support the Government of Saint Lucia in adopting Tier 2 methodologies for livestock emissions reporting to strengthen accuracy and transparency in the 2026 NDC update and the Long-Term Strategy to 2050.
• Enhance institutional capacity to manage greenhouse gas emissions from manure in small ruminant and non-ruminant production systems, including training of relevant agencies and technical staff.
• Strengthen national capacity to measure, report, and mitigate methane and other SLCPs from agriculture, ensuring alignment with international standards and climate commitments.

Activities

To achieve these objectives, the project will:

• Conduct a model farm systems analysis to assess technological and economic feasibility of anaerobic digestion, composting, and other manure management approaches, and develop recommendations for adoption.
• Develop a training and support package in collaboration with RADA and the Ministry of Agriculture to build institutional capacity on integrated greenhouse gas management systems, waste recovery, and reuse technologies.
• Deliver training sessions for farmers, government representatives, and other stakeholders on methane mitigation options, biogas digester maintenance, and financing mechanisms for sustainable manure management.
• Prepare a dissemination plan to share findings and recommendations with relevant stakeholders, including compost and digestate management strategies and outreach activities for effective knowledge transfer.
• Submit progress reports and a final comprehensive report covering both CCAC- and NZAGRC-supported activities, including technical reviews of current manure management systems, prediction equations, and case studies on waste reuse pathways.

Project Reference: [LC-24-001t] – Saint Lucia Assessment of small ruminant and non-ruminant intensive production systems for waste recovery and re-use