The islands of Saint-Martin and Saint-Barthélemy were surveyed as part of the agricultural census in the same way as the overseas departments. In 2020, 42 farms are listed for a total agricultural area of 228 hectares. The number of farms is decreasing in Saint-Martin and increasing in Saint-Barthélemy on surfaces in decline for both territories.
The Directorate of Food, Agriculture and Forests of Guadeloupe (DAAF) has submitted a report on agricultural holdings in the Overseas Territories for the year 2020. The DAAF has carried out a survey to identify all the holdings on the French territory of Saint-Martin.
Thus, we can see that in 2020, Saint-Martin had 36 farms, i.e. 20% less than during the previous agricultural census of 2010. Farms have an average area and a total area down to 6,3 average acres. Farming structures are changing with a significant reduction in the number of farms specializing in livestock farming. The breeding of cattle and goats is still the norm for these farms.
Towards an increase in employment?
Farm managers and their families do most of the agricultural work. Nearly one in four farm managers is a woman, and their contribution has tripled (22%) in ten years. The use of casual workers is also increasing with seasonal employment, with 9% more in 2020. “This is a sector which can, moreover, create high added value in terms of creation of jobs", emphasizes the DAAF in its report.
State support
On the sidelines of the strategic orientation and agricultural development committee (COSDA), the ministry in charge of agriculture supports a collective egg packaging center in Saint-Martin. The objective is to develop and supervise the egg sector in such a way as to promote quality local production, which meets European health requirements. In addition, this tool will allow a structuring and a better competitiveness of the local sector on the market.
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