The revelation that CARICOM will require two more years to achieve its target of reducing regional food imports by 25 per cent is not entirely surprising, but disappointing nevertheless.
It is disappointing because of the urgency we face as a region to grow more of what we eat, especially given the ever-rising cost of food, the majority of which we import. Even those imported goods in recent years have been unreliable due to fluctuations in the global market and supply chain disruptions.
We acknowledge the update from Guyanese President Dr Irfaan Ali, the Head of Government with lead responsibility for agriculture in CARICOM’s quasi-Cabinet, that significant progress has been made.
While we don’t doubt that efforts have been made and are ongoing to improve the Caribbean’s food security, the people of the region deserve clear details on what this progress entails and what the next steps are. Such transparency is essential to gain widespread support and shift attitudes towards agriculture and local foods.
What President Ali did highlight is that the plan has been set back by Hurricane Beryl, flooding, heatwaves and other climate events that have wreaked havoc on agricultural production, poultry and livestock, forcing countries to divert resources to rebuilding.
Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall patterns, more droughts, and increasingly severe floods are real challenges for farmers. Crops are withering under extreme heat, livestock are struggling with high temperatures and water scarcity, and entire harvests are being wiped out by devastating storms.
We have witnessed some of these impacts both at home and across the region.
Our fisheries sector was almost wiped out by Hurricane Beryl, which also severely affected Caribbean neighbours that provide us with plantains, eddoes, citrus fruits and other commodities.
We have been enduring the shortages of local fruits and vegetables. A favourite staple, sweet potato, has been particularly affected. Our poultry and dairy industries have also suffered, leading to scarcities and rising prices for consumers.
The challenges, however, go beyond natural disasters.
President Ali raised particular concern about the region’s heavy dependence on imported poultry and eggs, particularly from the United States and Brazil. He warned that food inflation and shortages could become a major problem if CARICOM does not accelerate its self-sufficiency efforts.
To address this, he emphasised the need for the region to achieve self-sufficiency in poultry production and hatching eggs within the next four years. This will require regional producers to collaborate, share expertise, and pool resources to make it a reality.
All of this underscores the vulnerable nature of agriculture and why decisive action must continue to address these issues.
We can no longer treat agriculture as an afterthought—it must be recognised as the essential foundation that it is. We, therefore, expect CARICOM governments to maintain their commitment to food security and to fulfil their 2027 target of reducing food imports.
Experts have advocated investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, developing drought-resistant crops, and promoting sustainable farming practices as crucial steps.
Furthermore, the integration of technology into agriculture, as emphasised by President Ali, is vital for increasing productivity and efficiency. Governments should provide more support to small farmers by improving access to resources, technology, and training so they can adapt to climate change. The private sector can play a vital role by investing in agro-processing facilities and developing innovative agricultural products.
Beyond technology, fostering a new generation of farmers is equally important.
We concur with President Ali that efforts must be made to encourage young people to embrace the opportunities that this vital sector offers. Agriculture must be seen as a viable and rewarding career path, with opportunities for innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Caribbean’s future depends on its ability to feed its people. The next two years will be critical in determining whether CARICOM can achieve food security and build a more resilient future for its people.
The post Can CARICOM deliver on food security? appeared first on Barbados Today.
