The project aligns with Barbados’ wider goals under the CARICOM 25 by 2025 (now 25 X 2030) agenda to reduce food imports and improve youth engagement in agriculture.
Representatives and focal points from the agricultural sector in CARICOM, on Tuesday, began training on an electronic market information system that is scheduled to be activated by April month-end. The system is intended to provide timely and accurate information about the availability of commodities on the regional market.
Uncertainties in the global trade arena and impacts from natural disasters in the Region are among the factors that have necessitated an extension to the regional food security initiative.
Our Food for Lunch webinar series will continue on Friday, 28 February at 12:30 pm, ECT. This one-hour virtual session will be conducted under the theme - ‘Exploring Sustainable Water Management Practices in the Caribbean - An Agriculture and Food Security Perspective’.
The Caribbean Community Secretariat continues to make advances in its quest to encourage the Region’s youth to become more involved in the agriculture sector.
Last year, the Secretariat consolidated its approach to youth with several targeted programmes including the continuation of the ‘I am CARICOM: Youth in agriculture’ programme, and the introduction of a climate-smart initiative that has benefitted youth and women.
The 25 by 2025 food and nutrition security initiative has recorded major achievements including increased production across the Region, and the implementation of key agricultural policies, the CARICOM Secretariat’s Agriculture Programme has reported.
The Initiative aims to reduce the Region’s high food import bill by 25 per cent by the end of this year.
The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre (CCCCC) in partnership with the Government of Belize, and key industry stakeholders, officially launched the 'Building the Adaptive Capacity of Sugarcane Farmers in Northern Belize' (BAC-SuF) project. The launch took place at Escuela Secundaria Técnica México (Secondary and Vocational School of Mexico) in Corozal.
Youth in agriculture took centre stage on Tuesday 28 January as the winners of the CARICOM High School Agriculture Video Competition 2024 were recognised for their interest and submissions.
(Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, Turkeyen, Greater Georgetown, Guyana) - Describing 2024 as “very active and rewarding,” CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett expressed optimism for 2025, noting the Community’s commitment to building on its achievements and embracing new challenges and opportunities.
At the 54th Meeting of the Community Council of Ministers on January 16, Dr Barnett highlighted the gains made in 2024, which she said should serve as a source of confidence as CARICOM continues to benefit its people.
“Meeting with Ambassador Comissiong was essential for aligning key priorities, including ensuring meaningful youth participation at the upcoming CARICOM Heads of Government Summit and advancing initiatives to engage young people across Barbados. This discussion provided an opportunity to strategise projects such as the proposed CARICOM Youth Workshop and outreach campaigns aimed at enhancing youth representation and increasing public awareness of CARICOM’s mission.”