CARICOM awards innovative regional farmers – Guyana Chronicle

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) celebrated regional agricultural excellence on October 7 during the opening ceremony of the 18th Caribbean Week of Agriculture.
The event, held at The University of the West Indies Open Campus, highlighted the importance of sustainable farming practices and recognized outstanding contributions from local farmers.
Prime Minister Dr. The Hon. Ralph Gonzalves, Minister of Agriculture Hon. Saboto Caesar, and CARICOM Secretary-General Dr. Carla Barnett were among the dignitaries who delivered addresses at the ceremony, setting the tone for a week dedicated to advancing agricultural resilience and innovation in the region.

Dominica’s Kevorn Vidal was named the CARICOM Youth Farmer of the Year, acknowledging his dedication and passion for agriculture. In his acceptance speech, Vidal expressed his gratitude, stating, “It is with immense joy and pride that I stand here before you as the recipient of the 2024 Young Farmer of the Year Award. This is a true manifestation of perseverance and commitment. Coming from generations of a farming family, I’ve always had the desire to toil on the land to produce food, and to see my hard work emerge as a business venture is truly fulfilling.”
Caribbean Broilers Jamaica was awarded the CARICOM Ministers of Agriculture Farmer of the Year, with Alicia Bogues accepting the honor on behalf of the company. She noted that the award signifies the capability and commitment of regional companies to significantly invest in agriculture and work towards reducing the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.

The theme for this year’s Caribbean Week of Agriculture is “Climate-Smart Agriculture for a Sustainable Future,” which aligns with the 25 by 2025 Initiative aimed at enhancing regional food security and sustainability. Running from October 7 to 11, the event features various workshops and seminars covering critical topics, including safeguarding agriculture in a changing climate, climate-smart fishing, and digital agriculture innovations.
Participants will also engage in discussions focused on empowering young people in regional food systems, exploring pathways for women farmers post-Hurricane Beryl, and addressing human resource development within the sector. A Trade Show and Expo, showcasing agri-businesses and promoting knowledge sharing and modern technologies, is another highlight of this five-day event.
The Caribbean Week of Agriculture underscores CARICOM’s commitment to fostering agricultural resilience and sustainability in the face of climate challenges while celebrating the significant contributions of farmers across the region.