On October 9, 2024, the OECS Council of Ministers for Agriculture had its annual convening during the 18th CARICOM Caribbean Week of Agriculture in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The meeting featured an inaugural invitation to farmers, agro-processors, and retailers to discuss the current challenges and needs within the sector. This inclusive meeting aimed to amplify the voices of those directly engaged in agriculture, fostering a collaborative approach to sustainable development. Also at the meeting were Caribbean heads of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). 

Chair of the OECS Council of Ministers for Agriculture and Minister for Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture & Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources & Cooperatives, Hon. Lennox Andrews, welcomed the stakeholders:

“We thought that to put some context into our discussion, and for us to always bear in mind that we are not here to look after our needs, we are here to look after the needs of our people, it is extremely important that we find a way to engage them in our discussions…Say to us what you would like us to do, say to us what you think that we are doing that we should not be doing, or what we’re doing that we should continue to do, or what you think we are supposed to be doing but we are not doing.”

In response, individual farmers and the executive director of Helen’s Daughters (a grouping of female farmers from Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) raised similar concerns. They asked to be recognised as integral players in the development and sustainable agriculture. They also collectively called for mental health and trauma support for those affected by climate change and the unpredictability of farming in the current economy. The most prevalent request from the farmers was for increased access to arable, affordable land, which is critical for enhancing productivity and ensuring food security in the region.

Director General of the OECS, Dr. Didacus Jules, expressed the importance of stakeholder voices in the work of the OECS Food and Agricultural Systems Transformation (FAST) Strategy:

“There are huge expectations in agriculture arising from great necessity because we’ve learned the lessons from COVID, we’ve seen the destruction of hurricanes and the impact on food security. But great expectations also carry huge possibilities with them and this is what we are here to explore. Your input helps to enrich the discussion and tends to keep us real in the decisions that we need to make.”

The OECS Commission provided an update on the Youth in Agriculture Programme to the farmers and organisations present at the meeting, showcasing ongoing efforts to engage the younger generation in agricultural practices and entrepreneurship. This initiative aims to equip youth with the skills and resources necessary to advance food security.

On the topic of an agriculture insurance roadmap for the OECS, IICA representative, Allister Glean presented a coverage plan designed specifically for farmers in the region, addressing the need for financial protection against the increasingly unpredictable challenges.

Acknowledging the significance of including farmers in a ministerial meeting, the host Minister, Hon. Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry & Labour in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines said:

“I want to recognise the farmers who are here and also their hard work and dedication…Without the farmers we would not have production, without the farmers, we won’t have food, and it is as simple as that.”

The OECS Council of Ministers for Agriculture remains committed to addressing the concerns of stakeholders while fostering collaboration to build a sustainable agricultural future for the region.