The Windward Islands Farmers Association (WINFA) was started in 1982 and formalised as an
umbrella organisation of farmers in 1987. The organisation’s mission is “to build a financially
independent democratic organisation that champions the cause of farmers and rural
communities in the Caribbean, through the provision of programs which address issues such as
food security, gender equity, sustainable development, and sector linkages”. Among its
wide-ranging objectives, WINFA proposes to:

● Support organisational and program initiatives of farmers and farmers’ organisations in the region,
● Seek alternative markets for farmer’s production, led in the past by the Fair Trade initiative and agro-processing efforts,
● Build farmers’ awareness on global and agricultural issues and developments and,
● Develop advocacy and lobbying efforts to address issues of concerns for farming communities.

WINFA has member organizations in the Windward Islands, including national farmer’s
organisations, processors and other non-banana producers. WINFA’s secretariat is located in
St. Vincent and the Grenadines. WINFA’s core competence is its ability to mobilise members
and network of regional and international development partners to effect action and change on
important agricultural-related issues. Its main programming areas are related to Advocacy and
lobbying; Education and Training; Diversification; Farmers Exchanges, and Gender and Youth.

In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, small farmers and their households are particularly
vulnerable to natural disasters. WINFA works closely with micro and small-scale farmers in the
North of the island. With the eruption of La Soufrière, the organisation has been working on the
ground to provide support and assistance to its members affected by the crisis in both the red
and orange zones. Given the unsafe and hazardous conditions and inability to access the
island’s northern region, WINFA has conducted an informal rapid assessment of beneficiary
needs. Farmers have been contacted via mobile devices to provide updates and critical
information on the current situations in both the red and orange zones. The assessment
identified an immediate critical need for water, canned or dried food, and toiletries.

The assessment also revealed that there had been a significant impact on farms and food
production, including the loss of harvest and livestock. A rapid assessment by the Ministry of
Agriculture on the island has indicated a 100% loss in agricultural production in the red zones
and approximately 75% loss in the orange zone. The weight of the volcanic material emitted has
completely devastated tree and root crops, vegetables and has affected the composition of the
soil lending it even more acidic than pre eruption levels. Tree crops have been split, tumbled, or
left bending towards the ground. The ash and rockfalls have completely destroyed vegetables
and root crops. None of WINFA’s farmers has been spared from this natural disaster.
Following are the Objectives for the Volcano Relief Project:

Major Objective:
● To respond to small farmers’ current emergency status in St. Vincent and the
Grenadines who are directly impacted by the La Soufrière Volcanic eruption.

Specific Objectives:
Short-term – Months 0-6
● To provide immediate assistance in the form of water, food and hygiene products to 500
households (approximately 2500 persons) to mitigate the immediate impact of the La
Soufrière Volcanic Eruption in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Medium-term – Months 7 – 30
● To remove debris and prepare land for and land predation services for approximately
200 micro and small farmers to replant crops and rear animals.
● To provide 5000 seeds/cuttings for 200 farmers to assist them in rebuilding their
livelihoods on micro and small scale farm holdings
● To provide technical assistance to 200 farmers to enable them to rebuild their farm
holdings in 5 rural communities directly affected by the volcanic eruption