Guyana Chronicle AGRI Supplement 18-06-2022

AGRI-DEVELOPMENT REVIEW SPECIAL Saturday, June 18, 2022

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AGRI-DEVELOPMENT REVIEW SPECIAL Saturday, June 18, 2022

Remarks by Hon. Oneidge Walrond, Minister of Tourism, Industry and Commerce I am extremely encouraged by the level of response received by our Guyanese Jewellers and indeed the entire Guyanese contingent at the recently concluded Agrofest in Barbados.

Having visited the exposition, I was heartened by the interest shown in products and services from Guyana.

Importantly, many of the manufacturers and service providers engaged in fruitful discussions with counterparts in Barbados.

These discussions provided a framework for expansion into the market there.

Guyana’s participation in the Agrofest was one of the benefits of the St Barnabas Accord signed between His Excellency, Dr Mohamed Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister Mia Mottley which will intensify economic cooperation between our two countries.

A further and noteworthy development is the establishment of a Gold Jewellery Hub in Barbados. The participation of four of our local jewellers at Agrofest resulted in significant sales over the two days of participation, confirming that there is a high demand for Guyana’s gold products in Barbados.

Patrons were impressed by the quality of Guyanese products on offer and the support was commendable. The participation of the jewellers at the event was a precursor to the establishment of the hub, which will see a permanent presence of Guyanese jewellery stores in Barbados.

These stores will target Barbadian citizens and residents as well as visitors to the island.

Additionally, gold from Guyana will form part of the

It will see greater collaboration in several areas, including tourism, agriculture, manufacturing, and the establishment of a gold exchange.

I, unreservedly, share and subscribe to our President’s vision of greater collaboration with regional and international partners. We are stronger together, and this partnership with Barbados is already bearing mutual benefits.

Very soon, a local company will begin supplying prefabricated houses to Barbados and fresh produce from Guyana will be shipped there regularly. The Guyana Manufacturing and Services Association (GMSA) and Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) will have a permanent presence in Barbados as part of a reciprocal arrangement.

Barbados Gold Exchange initiative, which will see bullion, with 99 per cent purity, being available for trading within that country.

I have all confidence in the quality and standard of our local products and services, and I am convinced that they will succeed in whichever market is accessed.

To our local manufacturers and service providers, I encourage you to maximize this opportunity and continue to explore all avenues for greater access regionally and globally.

The Guyana-Barbados relationship will, undoubtedly, be a catalyst for regional partnerships and will certainly demonstrate how much more effective we will be if we work together.

Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights (May 20) Removal of trade barriers integral to better integration in CARICOM, Prime Ministers Briceño, Skerrit say AS the inaugural Agri-Invest Forum and Expo opened on Thursday, at the National Cultural Centre, several regional leaders

that could lead to the region reaching its “25 by 2025” goal, which entails reducing the regional food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

CARICOM Chairman and Prime Minister of Belize, John Antonio Briceño (Adrian Narine photo)

Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit (Adrian Narine photo)

outlined that it is the right time for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to focus on the removal of trade barriers and more investments in the agriculture sector.

Prime Minister of Belize and Chairman of CARICOM, John Antonio Briceño, in his remarks, said that while it is time to invest in the sector it is also the right time to establish strategic partnerships

Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, said that CARICOM has the capacity and the ability to supply member states within the region with a lot of what is needed for consumption.

To this end, Skerrit said that “fictitious impositions” which member states place on each other as it relates to trade and more, must be removed.

To this end, Skerrit said

that “fictitious impositions” which member states place on each other as it relates to trade and more, must be removed.

Skerrit related that Caribbean goods should be recognised on supermarket shelves and further regulations should be passed to ensure that CARICOM produce and products are placed on shelves.

The Dominican Prime Minister highlighted that the initiative is not only about economics, but it is also about the wellbeing and welfare of every citizen in the Caribbean region.

(May 20) Change in mindset required to address issues impeding the smooth intra-regional movement of food commodities NOTING that the region is at a most critical time of its history and that a crisis like no other is before it, Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley made a clarion call for a change in mindset among CARICOM nations to address issues impeding the

that 25 per cent by 2025 may even be too modest a target and it may very well have to be revised upwards given projections.

(May 20) Single business register could enhance regional integration Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley

smooth intra-regional movement of food commodities.

PM Mottley, during her presentation, highlighted several examples of countries which have placed restrictions on their export of key food commodities such as wheat, oil and meats and noted that with more restrictions expected, CARICOM is all the more hard pressed to become an increased producer.

However, she pointed out, restrictions facing CARICOM are nothing new. Mottley alluded that sadly the small nations have not been garnering sufficient attention even as a collective to properly deal with the situation on the global scene, all the more why intra-regional solutions are needed.

Minister Mottley alluded

–Prime Minister Rowley tells stakeholders at opening of Agri-Investment Forum and Expo WITH food security and reducing the existing food import bill high on the agenda for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, has opined that there is a need for the development of a policy that would allow for the creation of a single business register for regional companies.

He said that having a system where businesses would not be required to go through the process of registering in each CARICOM state, would significantly boost the efficiency of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).

He said that as part of CSME, provisions have been made for the ease of doing

Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Dr Keith Rowley, addresses stakeholders at the opening of the AgriInvestment Forum and Expo, on Thursday (Adrian Narine photo)

business, as part of efforts to promote self-efficiency among the CARICOM states.

But this is not always realised, given certain barriers which hinder and slow down the efficient operation of the single market and economy.

Dr Rowley believes that if systems are not put in place to allow CARICOM Member States to provide food security among themselves, there could be a situation similar to what prevailed during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic, when there were supply shortages due to shipping woes.

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Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights

President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne at the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at State House on Friday (Office of the President photo)

(May 21) MoU signing moves Guyana/Antigua into new sphere of integration – President Ali

PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali says the new agreement between Guyana and Antigua and Barbuda now moves the countries closer together, building on decades of already strong bilateral relations.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)

by President Ali and the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, provides for economic co-operation in eight areas, including tourism, financial services, agriculture, energy and air transportation.

In his remarks, the Guyanese Head of State said that given the new dynamics surrounding food security and transportation, deliberations in this regard are of “immense importance” and can have a very positive impact on the agriculture sector.

In the area of energy, President Ali added that the two sides will also examine how they can further strengthen co-operation in ensuring energy security and that the assets in all countries are optimally utilised for the economic and social benefits of their people.

In his remarks, Prime Minister Browne commended President Ali for his exemplary leadership in the region in bringing together all stakeholders to address the critical issue of food security.

He reminded that Guyana and Antigua have been at the forefront of the integration movement and have enjoyed close bilateral relationships over the years.

Prime Minister Browne said the new co-operation agreement which the two countries are pursuing will create even more opportunities including increased investments and trade.

(May 21) US$7.5B in private sector investments needed — for CARICOM to achieve its ‘25 by 25’ goal, says VP Jagdeo WITH an estimated US$7.5 billion in private sector investments needed for CARICOM to achieve its “25 by 25” goal, Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo is urging member states to take a handson approach to achieve the regional target.

Dr Jagdeo stressed that strong commitment is needed from heads of government to ensure more attention and commitment is given to increasing fiscal support in the area of agriculture and addressing trade barriers in the region.

CARICOM member states have agreed that much unity, political will and heavy investments are needed to achieve the goal of reducing the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025. Dr Jagdeo said more than just talk is needed, he said member states need to ramp up investments in their agriculture sectors.

He also called for respective nations to establish a “champion” that will drive the operationalisation of 25 by 25 goal at the political level.

Notwithstanding the huge investment needed, the Vice-President pointed out that there is some amount of increase in production that could take place even without the need for further investment, given that many existing producers are not operating at the full capacity.

Dr Jagdeo also noted that no sustainable agriculture strategy could be pursued or developed unless it is closely linked to a national water strategy and national climate strategy.

ICOM’s food-security vision, says President Ali

First Lady, Mrs. Arya Ali addressing youth and other officials at the “CARICOM Youth in Agriculture Dialogue” during the final day of the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo (Elvin Croker photo)

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali has said that Brazilian investors from the neighbouring State of Roraima are interested in being integrated into CARICOM’s vision of reducing its food-impor-

(May 22) Leaders must recognise importance of youth in ‘agri’ sector, says First Lady Arya Ali FIRST Lady Mrs. Arya Ali says that regional leaders must play a critical role in stimulating the interest of youth in agriculture by making it an attractive sector. he First Lady called on leaders to leverage technology, education, land rights, access to financial information, resources and the creation of entrepreneur networks to make agribusiness profitable and attractive to youths.

She further underscored that leaders must continue to recognise the importance of youth in the sector, as they have an important role to play in the transformation and development of agriculture, and, therefore, every effort must be made to ensure

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo examines a fruit at one of the booths at the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo (Photo credit: Vice President’s Facebook page)

that they are included in

President, Dr Irfaan Ali speaking at the Caribbean-Roraima Investors Luncheon at the Santa Fe farm in the North Rupununi as Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne (left), Trinidad and Tobago Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley (right) and regional officials pay keen attention (Office of the President photo)

the dialogue about how agriculture will help the Caribbean region to achieve food security in the coming years.

The First Lady noted that while engaging youth in agriculture has been a prominent topic recently, it has always been important one.

Meanwhile, Dr Barnett during her remarks, issued a strong message to the youth of the region that “the region needs you and the region needs you now.”

Dr Barnett pointed out that some of the highest paying jobs in the world are in the agriculture sector, and youths must be reminded of this as they think of their future and consider areas to specialise in.

(May 23) Brazilian state wants to be integrated into CAR-

tation bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

As part of this integration, the President said CARICOM has committed to ensuring that the State of Roraima is represented on the region’s Agriculture Ministerial Task Force.

This was after President Ali led a delegation of the visiting CARICOM Heads and other Caribbean government officials to the Santa Fe farm in the North Rupununi, where they had a Caribbean-Roraima Investors Luncheon with a number of Brazilian investors.

President Ali said that he spoke to the Secretary of Agriculture of the State of Roraima, Marlon Buss, who indicated that they are looking to be integrated into CARICOM’S vision.

President Ali told the investors that CARICOM knows that it has to take action and has

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Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights committed to taking action to ensuring food security in the region.

He said that CARICOM is not looking for a win for one country, but for all countries that are willing to participate. (Office of the President)

(May 23) Gender mainstreaming critical to reaching agricultural goals -Minister Walrond

TOURISM, Industry and Commerce Minister Oneidge Walrond, said gender equality in agriculture is critical to reducing the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) food-importation bill by 25 per

cent by 2025.

According to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), if women had the same access to productive resources such as men, their farm production could increase by 20 to 30 per

in order to achieve gender parity within the agricultural sector.

Minister Walrond made reference to a number of projects, including the black belly sheep initiative being pushed by the government, which allows farmers to access support for sustainable agricultural production.

This, she said, addresses Tourism, Industry and Commerce Minister, Oneidge the issue of financing, Walrond which has been identicent, leading to a 12 per- fied as a critical contribcent decrease in hunger. utor to the gender gap in The minister ex- agriculture. (DPI) plained that like many other sectors, there is a gender gap in terms (May 28) Local of deriving the benefits businesses forge in agriculture. In fact, partnership with research has shown that Barbados’ priaround the world, women face major obstacles vate sector that exacerbate gender SEVERAL local inequality in agricul- businesses have forged ture, including: access to partnerships with the land rights, productive Barbados private secresources, labour and tor even as Export Bar-

Members of the Guyana delegation meeting with officials of Export Barbados

participation in decision-making.

The extent of these constraints, Minister Walrond stated, should be examined by CARICOM nations, and appropriate strategies to address them must be crafted in keeping with international standards.

In the case of Guyana, the minister said that while the country has in place the necessary framework, including strong land management systems and legal framework for occupational safety and health, it has much to build on

bados through collaboration with Guyana Office for Investment (GO-Invest) and the local private sector seek to increase exports of products and services to Guyana.

Export Barbados is looking to increase exports to Guyana from $25M to $50M over the next three years.

Eleven businesses which were involved in several strategic business-to-business level meetings with members of Barbados’ private sector, gathered information and forged part-

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Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights nerships as facilitated by GO-Invest and Export Barbados.

These delegates represent a cross-section of sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, jewellers, craft and industrial supplies.

In the midst of the global challenges facing the region, driven in large part by COVID-19, resulting in increasing supply chain disruptions, the CEO indicated that they are in collaboration with Export Barbados to set up Trade and Investment Facilitation offices in Guyana and Barbados.

This will see Barbados having a constant presence in Guyana and vice versa.

This move by GO-Invest and Export Barbados, the release said, is intended to ensure that commercial initiatives can be easily and expeditiously operationalised.

The representative of GO-Invest will be housed within the Secretariat which has been set up by Export Barbados in Pelican Village, while the representative of Export Barbados will be housed within the Guyana Office for Investment in Guyana.

(May 28) Guyana, Barbados cooperation a model for the region

President Ali and Barbados’ Prime Minister Mottley cut the ceremonial ribbon in the presence of Guyana’s Agriculture Minister, Zulfikar Mustapha and other onlookers.

–in pursuit of intra-regional food security

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley have hailed the cooperation and growing partnership between the two nations as a model

that can be replicated across the region in pursuit of intra-regional food security.

Barbados and Guyana have deepened ties, advancing bilateral partnerships in a number of areas, including housing, agriculture, tourism, commerce and capacity building

in the past 18 months.

A number of Barbadians received shadehouse management training in Guyana, while 6,000 Guyanese will be trained in tourism in Barbados. Both countries are working on the Black Belly Sheep Project.

Over the past few months, CARICOM member states have been putting reinvigorated energy in bringing agriculture and food production to the spotlight, underscoring its importance in the region’s development, and promoting the need to increase local production, bolstered by increased local consumption.

This is in light of consecutive global cri-

ses in the form of the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia/Ukraine war.

President, Dr Ali cautioned that the respective countries in the Caribbean must see each other as allies in this quest for food security, otherwise the planned initiatives to improve food security will not see or bear fruit.

(May 29) Pres.

Ali visits site for Guyana-Barbados food terminal

PRESIDENT, Dr Irfaan Ali, and his delegation were taken on a site visit of the proposed area in Lears,

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Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights

President Ali and PM Mottley during the site visit

St Michael, where the Guyana-Barbados Food Terminal will be constructed.

The site visit was led by the Prime Minister of the Republic of Barbados, Mia Amor Mottley.

When completed, the food terminal would be able to store more than 40 containers of food and will also be equipped with a processing and packaging plant.

It will also provide cold storage facilities for seafood, packaging and processing plants.

The area will also have a large reservoir for water storage and land set aside for crop production.

(June 14) Six Bajan companies express interest in distribution of local coconut products

A LOCAL manufacturing business is set to expand significantly, as six companies from Barbados have expressed interest in distributing the “Only Coconuts” line of products.

T h e c o m p a n y, a subsidiary of Precision Global Incorporated, manufactures a wide range of coconut products, including coconut chips, refined coconut

At left, Vice-President of Precision Global Inc. (Only Coconuts), Lesley Ramlall, interacts with President, Dr Irfaan Ali and Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Mottley at the recent engagement at Barbados’ 2022 Agro-Fest

oil, desiccated coconut, coconut flour, and virgin coconut oil.

Precision is registered in Guyana, and is located on a 30-acre plot of land at Marudi Creek on the Soesdyke-Linden Highway.

The company creates employment for approximately 200 persons from these communities to empower women and youths.

Coconuts for the factory’s operations are secured from plantations on the Essequibo Coast, along the Pomeroon River, and in parts of Berbice.

Keen to secure high-quality coconuts for its production process, the company has established relationships with farmers that extend into discourses concerning the company’s quality expectations.

For Coconut Flour, he explained that this is a low-carb, gluten-free baking alternative to wheat flour.

Further, he said the Desiccated Coconut is dried out and grated coconut flesh, or ‘meat’, as it is known in the food industry.

Additionally, Ramlall said the Coconut Chips

are baked and not fried, the nation’s Low Carbon making them a healthy Development Stratealternative snack. gy (LCDS) and to promote modern methods and technologies that FEATURED can adapt to changing (May 21) 8,000 climate and economic acres of fertile conditions.

Alki Investment is land in Pomerready for an investment oon-Akawipartner to forge a colni opened for laboration that drives ‘green invest- the critical investments needed for large-scale ments’ agriculture developT H E P o m e r - ment. oon-Akawini Land In particular, Alki InDevelopment Project vestment Inc. is seeking — comprising 8,000 to coordinate investacres of flat, fertile land ments that comply with in Region Two — is the LCDS approach, in ready for key invest- keeping with the unique ments in the agriculture economic advantages of sector in keeping with the site. This includes

Vice-President, Dr Bharrat Jagdeo greets a representative of the Alki Investment Inc. booth at the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo at the Arthur Chung Conference Centre

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Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights promotion of investments in non-traditional crops, adoption of climate-resilient measures, the introduction of drought-tolerant and climate-resilient crop varieties, and the introduction of climate-proof agricultural technologies, with improvements in productivity, sustainability and quality in mind.

Most importantly, the project will pave the way for replication in other hinterland areas with similar conditions and advantages.

In order to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of land development arrangements and activities at the site, Alki Investment Inc. has taken the initiative to assist both

on-board and prospective investors with setting up the necessary engagements with government agencies and local authorities.

(May 22) Roy’s Quality Spices- savouring a tradition

WITH a small hand mill, and just a few ingredients at this Essequibo Coast house, Roy Singh, in 1996, started a business that would, decades later, dominate the Guyanese market.

With recipe’s passed down from generations, Roy’s Quality Spices, is not your typical agro-processing business; it is a flavourful fusion of history and a

Govinda Singh of Roy’s Quality Spices

love for family bottled in a spice bottle.

With 67 products available, the Singhs are to expand their product line further to provide spices to cover all the letters in the alphabet.

Roy’s Quality Spices is also hoping to tap into other Caribbean markets. Singh said that investors have already lined up and indicated their interest in his busi-

ness and want to learn more about what he has to offer the Caribbean market.

The drone technology, called ROV, features a sonar and thermal camera and it could dive 300 metres below the surface of water.

ploy robotics in its operations, explore oppor(May 25) Guy- tunities in other sectors Drones ‘piloting’ IN a move which technological seeks to revolutionise integration in the practices within agriculture with the agricultural sector, local drone solutions drone ‘tech’ company GuyDrones, –to soon emwill be exploring the

possibility of employing its modern-day technology in the aquaculture sub-sector and utilising robotics to advance other aspects of agriculture.

Vice-President and Chief Pilot at GuyDrones, Ershad Mahamad, said that drone technology is not limited to land and air, as there are also underwa-

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Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights ter drones that could be used to boost production and enhance productivity in the aquaculture sector.

Considering its benefits, he said that the underwater drones would not only benefit the aquaculture sector in Guyana, but also assist with infrastructural development.

Using the Demerara Harbour Bridge as an example of how this drone technology could boost efficiency, Mahamad said: “A typical example we have is the harbour bridge that has anchor points… this drone will go under there and see what [is] happening versus the conventional way of having a diver go long

hours.”

With the hope of further expansion, GuyDrones is set to establish an assembly plant in Guyana to not just meet agricultural needs in Guyana, but also the entire Caribbean region.

(May 25) Agro-processing business helps young mother rise above challenges

RADIKA Basdeo, owner of agro-processing business, Basdeo Dynasty, is more than just an agro-processor, she is an overcomer who beat naysayers to establish her own agro-processing busi-

Stabroek.

Basdeo is growing her business and looking to employ support staff. Although she never envisioned this would be here niche, Basdeo always wanted to own her own business. She credits her father, a farm owner, for pushing her in the direction of making value-added prodAgro-processor, Radika Basdeo ness that, today, is a she smiles as she speaks ucts.

Basdeo praised the thriving small busi- about rising above it all Guyana Marketing ness. to prove many wrong in Corporation (GMC), Since taking on her their thoughts about how and other government new field, Basdeo has far she could go. attended seminars on Her business expand- agencies for initiatives marketing and sales. ed to include pepper which, she said, has Te a r s f l o o d e d t h e sauce, plantain flour, been a major support 22-year-old’s eyes as mixed masala, turmer- for her getting off the she tells her story of ic, geera, nutmeg, and ground. being a single teenage salted fish. Her prod(June 2) With mother who was once ucts are on sale at both gov’t support, told that she would not of Georgetown’s major Pomeroon amount to much, but markets, Bourda and

agro-processor makes seasonings from cassava, coconuts

WITH cassava and coconut already known in Guyana and the wider Caribbean for their versatility, Pomeroon businessman, John Luke, has found a new and interesting way to use them.

The businessman, who is the owner of Luke’s Manufacturing, launched his cassava and coconut seasonings at the recently concluded Agri-Investment Forum and Expo.

The new line of seasonings is expected to strategically boost the visibility of the diverse uses of both products which are grown locally,

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Agri-Investment Forum & Expo/Agrofest Highlights Luke said.

The coconut and cassava seasonings that were recently launched by Luke’s Manufacturing

The proprietor believes that the new seasoning products will boost the visibility of the company and increase its reach locally. At the Expo, pieces of chicken and fish flavoured with the new seasonings were available for sampling.

Luke’s Manufac-

turing produces wine, various types of porridge mix made with local ingredients, all-purpose seasonings, hot sauce, honey, achars, and passion fruit essence.

The massive line of Luke’s Manufacturing products which started off with the jamoon wine, is current-

ly available in over six supermarkets across Guyana.

In December 2020, Luke, who has been an agro-processor for over 13 years, was granted some five acres of land for the expansion of his business following a meeting with President Dr Irfaan Ali.

After hearing about the businessman’s plight and about the numerous jobs that the business can generate, once it is at full capacity, the President directed the representatives from the Guyana Lands and Survey Commission to fasttrack the process.

Scenes from Agri-Investment Forum

Outcome Statement of the Agri-Investment Forum

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GEORGETOWN (May 21) - A group of CARICOM Heads of Government met in Georgetown, Guyana on May 19 and 20, 2022 on the occasion of the “Agri-Investment Forum and Expo: Investing in Vision 25 by 2025”, organised by the Government of Guyana and the CARICOM Secretariat.

The Group took the opportunity of the important and timely Forum to discuss the current grave global situation of the shortages and high prices of imported food fertilizers and other agricultural inputs; and the severe problems affecting transportation and logistics.

They noted, with great concern, that CARICOM Member States continue to be deeply impacted by these developments which have resulted in a dramatic increase in the cost of food, exposing still further the region’s food insecurity due to its vulnerability to external influences and the impact of climate change.

The Group recognized that CARICOM member states have the capacity to attain a high level of food security for the Community as a whole, provided that urgent action is taken to effectively implement necessary actions.

The Group agreed that lack of action to implement the 2005 “Framework for the repositioning of Caribbean agriculture” (Otherwise known as The Jagdeo Initiative) which was agreed by CARICOM Governments, delayed the Community’s capacity to safeguard against the impact of the present crisis.

In this connection, they, again, welcomed the timely and important vision for agricultural development presented by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali of Guyana, to the Conference of Heads of Government of CARICOM in March 2022.

They resolved to recommend, for the adoption

by all CARICOM Heads of Government, the following four priority areas to address food security urgently and sustainably, including critically, setting and keeping deadlines for implementation: Food insecurity The agricultural plan, proposed by President Ali and agreed to by the CARICOM Heads of Government Conference in March 2022, should be fully implemented as swiftly as possible, with the continued involvement of all relevant stakeholders.

In this regard, President Ali was requested to mandate the Ministerial Task Force on Food Security to propose an implementation schedule for urgent consideration

by Heads of Government.

Regional Transportation Recognizing that the lack of adequate regional transportation by sea and air is an obstacle to the transportation of food within the region, and determined that it should be overcome within the shortest possible time frame, Prime Minister of Barbados, the Honourable Mia Mottley, together with the Heads of Government in the quasi-Cabinet responsible for Transport and Agriculture, requested to complete a proposal for establishing adequate and sustainable regional transportation.

After consultation with the Caribbean private sector, the international donor community and multilateral development agencies, the document will be put for consideration to Heads of Government in July 2022.

In making this recommendation, the Group was heartened by the advice of the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) that it is willing to use its best efforts to mobilise resources in this effort.

Trade Barriers In considering that trade barriers, particularly non-tariff barriers, are one

of the biggest inhibitors to the development of the regional market for agriculture produce, and that removing these barriers require political consensus and determination, the Group recommends that a Special Committee immediately prepare proposals with deadlines for eliminating such trade barriers.

The Special Committee should be convened by the Prime Minister with quasi-Cabinet responsibility for the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), and its proposals for implementation should be presented at a Special Meeting of Heads of Government in the third quarter of 2022.

Women and Youth Recognising and affirming the importance of the participation of women and youth in agriculture both to enlarge the sector’s contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of national economies and to empower the two groups to share in the earnings that can be generated by a vibrant agricultural sector, the CARICOM Secretariat should be authorised to commission an urgent study, for consideration by the Special Meeting of Heads of Government.

This is proposed for the third quarter of this year and will examine ways to attract and expand the participation of youth and women by at least 20 per cent by 2025.

The terms of reference of the study should include mechanisms for providing access to finance, crop insurance, contract purchasing of produce, and training, especially in the use of modern technology.

The Group of Heads of Governments emphasize the urgency in implementing the four priority areas, which they have identified as imperative to overcome the current grave challenges of food shortages, in a sustainable manner.

The Group noted the work of the Ministerial

Task Force on Food production chaired by the Minister of Agriculture of Guyana, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, in advising on the development of a CARICOM food system.

They welcomed, with great appreciation, the

important and timely initiative by President Ali of organising the “Agri-Investment Forum and Expo” from which these deliberations and recommendations have been made.

They looked forward

enthusiastically to maintaining the momentum generated by this meeting at a follow-up “Agriculture and Food Security Forum” in Trinidad and Tobago in August 2022.

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