Challenges and Outlook for the Caribbean Sub-Region

Background

• Small island and coastal states that is highly vulnerable to natural (climatic) and economic shocks.

• Agriculture includes fisheries and forestry

Context

oHigh food import bill

oRising and volatility of the prices of food

oHigh levels of poverty, malnutrition and NCDs

oIncreased intensity and frequency of natural disasters

oClimate change

Policy Objectives of the Caribbean

Transformation of the sector towards market-oriented, internationally competitive and environmentally sound production of agriculture products

Increased production, productivity and world market share

Increased diversification of processed agriculture products

Improved food and nutrition security.

Main Challenges

• We agree with the main challenges put forward, however the subregion identified what it considers the main constraints at present.

Subregional Constraints

Inadequate Financing for and Investments in the Sector.

Inefficient and Outdated Agricultural Health and Food Safety Regulation (Weak SPS Framework).

Dificient and Uncoordinated Risk Management, including Praedial Larceny.

Subregional Challenges

Ineffective Research and Development.

Lack of Skilled Human Resources and absorptive capacity.

Weak Marketing Systems, Linkages and Marketing Development.

Fragmented and Unorganized Private Sector.

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Sub-Regional Challenges

Inadequate Land and Water Resources Distribution and Management Systems.

Inadequate Transportation System.

Inadequate focus on specific programmes for marginalized and vulnerable groups such as Youth, women and indigenous people.

Priority Areas of InterventionFood and Nutrition Security

Increase production and productivity levels of through promotion of sustainable agricultural systems and enterprises, post harvest technologies & storage

Improve marketing and market access utilizing the value chain, land related marketing services

Development and implementation of early warning systems and for the monitoring of prices.

Promotion of changes in consumption patterns and the right to food.

Priority Areas of Intervention

Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Strengthen cooperation, coordination and

institutional capacities and capabilities for DRM & CCA based on a sound statistical and data management system.

Promote Climate Smart Agriculture, fisheries and forestry best practices on a platform of South-South cooperation

Improve disaster risk management systems through the use of early warning systems and disaster management plans.

Priority Areas of InterventionDisaster Risk Management and Climate Change Promote the development of risk transfer

instruments for DRM, including insurance productsImprove systems and mechanisms to address

Praedial Larceny Improve the data base system for information

collection, processing and disseminationImprove natural resource management for

sustainable use of land and water Promote the development of certified and quality

germplasm and genetics.

Priority Areas of InterventionSmall Scale Agriculture

Promote institutional strengthening of producer organizations

Improve productivity along the value chainPromote backyard gardeningImprove access to marketsPromote land reform mechanism to facilitate

small producers

Priority Areas of Intervention

Agricultural Health and Food SafetyImprove Animal and Plant Health and Food Safety

Systems and infrastructure through: Institutional strengtheningCapacity building Improved legal framework

Enhance the capacity and capability to address Trans-boundary diseases and reduce threats of emerging and invasive species

Improve information systems, education and communication

Cross cutting Issues

• While we agree with the priorities as proposed we would like to highlight two important cross cutting issues:– Resource mobilization– Sustainability of the development efforts through

involvement of youth and other mechanism such as new technologies such as ICT platforms