Food Security

• Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago:
  The Honourable Doctor Keith Rowley,
• Prime Minister of Barbados:
  The Honourable Mia Amor Mottley,
• President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana:

His Excellency Mohamed Irfaan Ali,

When Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government meet in Suriname from 3-5 July, the implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), food security and governance will be among the key matters for consideration.

(Food and Agriculture Organisation Press Release) A robust and well-integrated global agrifood system can help all countries withstand unprecedented challenges, as evidenced during the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 when global agrifood markets proved to be remarkably resilient.

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett said agriculture has the potential to aid in economic recovery throughout the region, and push socio-economic development.

She made the statement during the ceremonial launch of the Agri-Investment Forum and Expo on Thursday last.

Vice President, Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo said for the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) to see a 25 percent reduction in its food import bill by 2025, massive investments must be made by state leaders.

The Vice President said the political strength of regional leaders is essential in cutting through the challenges currently being encountered, to achieve a massive food system.

By Vishani Ragobeer

Vishani@newsroom.gy

Regional leaders have been locked in discussions on what is needed to satisfy the food demand in the Caribbean and Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley says that leaders have agreed that speedy transportation of produce is a key part of satisfying that demand.

Caribbean countries are united in the Guyana-led thrust for increasing regional food production and as part of this thrust, Dominican Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit announced that Guyana and Dominica will soon start collaborating on pushing the production of corn and some vegetables.

Skerrit, while speaking at a press briefing held at the agri-investment forum at the Arthur Chung Conference at Liliendaal, said Dominica is eyeing Guyana’s corn production.

In order to encourage entrepreneurial recognition with the Caribbean Community’s (CARICOM) Single Market and Economy (CSME), Prime Minister of Trinidad and Tobago, Hon. Dr. Keith Rowley said there needs to be a single company register within the region.

Dr. Rowley was speaking at the launch of the premier Agri-Food Investment Forum and Expo at the National Cultural Centre (NCC), Georgetown on Thursday.