The Deputy Secretary-General of CARICOM, Dr Armstrong Alexis believes significant progress has been recorded in the Regional Agriculture Sector since the hosting of the Agriculture Forum in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago in 2022, with advancements made in cross border investments and increased funding for the agriculture sector across the region.

While addressing the opening of the third Agri-Investment Forum and Expo at the Arthur Chung Convention Centre on Friday, Dr. Alexis said “these include increased cross border investments, identification of possible agricultural insurance products for farmers; adoption of a new game changing regional agricultural policies, increased budgetary allocations to the Agriculture Sector in almost every CARICOM member state and the establishment of the Youth in Agriculture Advisory Council”.

He said the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo will build on the successes of the previous regional expos, adding that already there has been increased interest by development partners with increased support for several CARICOM initiatives that are intended to reduce the region’s Food Import Bill by 25% by 2025.  

Against that background, Dr Alexis said CARICOM is confident that the 2023 Agri-Investment Forum and Expo will respond to the needs of the region, while contributing to the development of the regional agriculture sector.

However, he said the region continues to face a number of challenges in the agriculture sector.

“Despite our achievements so far, however, there remains the imperative to fully transform our food systems. This against the realities of the region’s aging population, the effects of climate change, technological advancements, a growing population, and the ongoing shift in demand for the type of food that the region consumes. These ladies and gentlemen are factors that we must continue to tackle head-on with the full participation of all stakeholders,” the Deputy Secretary General said.

He said CARICOM Member States must consider the peculiarities that have long characterised the markets of the regional Agricultural Sector such as market distortions, and the lowering of prices by international competitors – a move that has made it difficult for regional producers to compete globally.

It was noted that it is therefore critical for regional countries to continue to explore opportunities to move up the value chain, and transition from merely being primary producers to food processors.

Minister of Agriculture, Zulfikar Mustapha, said the forum represents not just a meeting of minds but a profound commitment to the future of agriculture in the Caribbean—a future that hinges on the critical importance of investments.

“Investments in agriculture are investments in the very bedrock of our nations. They are the seeds of growth, the fuel for innovation, and the key to unlocking the vast potential of our agriculture sector. But agriculture isn’t just a sector; it’s a way of life, an economic pillar, and a source of sustenance for our people. Thus, our pursuit of investments in agriculture is a pursuit of resilience, prosperity, and food security,” the Agriculture Minister said.

He said the forum is intended to foster investments in the Caribbean’s Agriculture Sector that will intensify its efforts at achieving Vision 25 by 2025.

The three-day forum and expo wraps up today.

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