Roseau, Dominica, May 15, 2024
In a concerted effort to enhance climate resilience and promote food security across the Caribbean, Dominica, the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) have renewed their cooperation strategies.
Roland Royer, Dominica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, and Didacus Jules, Director General of the OECS, recently met with Manuel Otero, Director General of IICA, at the institute’s headquarters in San José, Costa Rica. The meeting focused on joint actions aimed at developing adaptive agricultural systems in the Caribbean to withstand evolving climate challenges.
During the discussions, Minister Royer emphasized Dominica’s commitment to sustainable natural resource use to bolster food security and agricultural productivity. He highlighted the country’s move towards irrigated agriculture and hydroponics to ensure a stable supply of agricultural products despite climatic variabilities.
“We’re experiencing significant variability due to climate change, such as longer rainy seasons and periods of intense rain affecting our farm production. Adopting irrigated agriculture and hydroponics is crucial for sustaining and supplying agricultural products while implementing soil conservation practices,” Royer stated.
Director General Jules underscored the importance of formulating a regional strategy to achieve food self-sufficiency and reduce dependency on external supply chains, which are often disrupted by natural disasters.
“One major challenge in the Eastern Caribbean is the supply chain, primarily originating from Miami. When either the Eastern Caribbean states or Miami face natural disasters, we suffer from shortages. A robust strategy for self-sufficiency is essential,” Jules explained.
The collaboration with IICA is viewed as a pivotal tool in addressing food security challenges in the region. Manuel Otero, IICA’s Director General, reiterated the institute’s commitment to agricultural innovation and climate resilience.
“Our goal is for IICA to function as a knowledge management institution, providing data and scientific information to solve the challenges faced by Caribbean farmers and authorities,” Otero affirmed.
This renewed cooperation is expected to drive significant advancements in climate-resilient agricultural practices and food security across the Caribbean.
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