“CARICOM recognises the Hand-in-Hand Initiative as a beneficial vehicle in supporting the removal of barriers to agricultural development. We note its support to governments, development partners and the private sector for more precisely targetted agricultural investments, and to implement policies for resilient, sustainable and productive agrifood systems.” – CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett
- Mr. Dongyu QU, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations;
- Ministers with responsibility for Agriculture of Barbados and Jamaica;
- Other Distinguished Panellists;
- Other Heads of Delegation;
- Ms. Angélica Jacome Daza, Moderator of this Afternoon’s Proceedings;
- Ladies and Gentlemen.
I am pleased to have participated this afternoon in such a rich exchange on the Hand in Hand Initiative. I express our sincere thanks to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) for facilitating this event, and for bringing us together for a meaningful and pragmatic exchange on this Initiative.
The FAO and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have a long-standing partnership which supports the bilateral relationship which the FAO shares with each of our Member States. I am, particularly, grateful for the excellent working relationship between CARICOM and the Caribbean Office of the FAO led by Dr. Renata Clarke.
Just last week we were in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where, with the support of the FAO and other development partners, we celebrated the 18th annual Caribbean Week of Agriculture. We focused on issues critical to the development of agriculture and rural communities, including especially the role of women and youth, the development and application of new technologies, the impact of climate change and strategies to build resilience and long-term sustainable development in agriculture and food and nutrition security.
CARICOM recognises the Hand-in-Hand Initiative as a beneficial vehicle in supporting the removal of barriers to agricultural development. We note its support to governments, development partners and the private sector for more precisely targetted agricultural investments, and to implement policies for resilient, sustainable and productive agrifood systems.
We welcome the perspectives and experiences shared, especially those from our beneficiary CARICOM Member States. The Caribbean Community has prioritised policies and investments in the agricultural and agrifood sectors that directly support food and nutrition security, and contribute to poverty reduction in the Region. Support to these investments fosters economic growth and development for the Region, as well as improved health outcomes through greater availability of fresh, unprocessed food.
The private sector is well-placed to work in partnership with the Governments to realise the goals and objectives of our ‘Vision 25 by 2025′ agricultural development initiative which seeks to reduce food imports by 25% by the year 2025. In 2018, when Vision 25 by 2025 was agreed, the world had not yet experienced the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic or the wars in Ukraine and Gaza, which have resulted in sharp increases in the price of food occasioned by interrupted schedules and increased costs of shipping. These developments have given even greater impetus to the 25 by 2025 Vision and Strategy, even as early season Hurricane Beryl devastated the agriculture sector in Grenada, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica earlier this year.
Through today’s event, the Hand-in-Hand Initiative has provided a space for the Region to promote agricultural opportunities to potential investors. We have presented irrigation as our initial priority as we seek your support.
Inadequate irrigation systems undermine the Region’s agricultural productivity. Climate change has made this even more challenging. There have been marked increases in the occurrences of drought and dry spells in the Region, even as there are more frequent floods. Rising sea levels and saltwater intrusions into our freshwater aquifers all have negative impacts on food production and general productivity levels in the agricultural sector.
The proposals that have been presented today are solid, feasible, and promote increased agricultural productivity. Your investments in irrigation will support the Region’s food and nutrition security priorities in tangible and sustainable ways, such as reduced reliance on rain-fed production, improved resilience to climate change for rural farm families, and increased productivity profitability for farmers.
The vision of CARICOM is for greater and sustainable production, increased availability of fresh food for consumers, and ultimately, transformed livelihoods of rural communities and healthier populations. This vision also promises positive returns on investment by the private sector in agriculture and food production.
We look forward to working with the Hand in Hand Initiative, through our Member States, in championing the implementation of these projects. CARICOM will continue to offer support to these initiatives.
Thank you.
