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.

Ms. Milagro Matus, Deputy Programme Manager, Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development at the CARICOM Secretariat, provided an update on the Initiative during an interview prior to the Forty-Eighth Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM. The Meeting will be held in Bridgetown, Barbados, 19 – 21 February 2025, under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Mia Mottley, Prime Minister of Barbados.

Ms. Matus pointed out that governments have increased budget allocations for agricultural development and have incorporated climate-smart project development in their planning. There has also been improvement in the adaptation of digital technologies in the sector.

The successes have occurred despite the challenges in the form of natural disasters, global supply trade disruptions, and other events that were beyond the Region’s control.

Hurricane Beryl, for example, which swept through the Region in July, last year, caused significant damage to the agriculture sectors of Barbados, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

About the 25 by 2025 Initiative

The 25 by 2025 Initiative is a long-term social and economic partnership between CARICOM Member States, the regional private sector, regional organisations, producer groups, development partners and civil society. It outlines actions and critical areas of intervention to tackle the rising food import bill and reduce food insecurity, improve intra-regional trade, and create wealth and economic opportunity for every CARICOM Member State.