Urgent Investment in Irrigation for Agriculture in The Caribbean Takes Centre Stage at The Hand-In-Hand Initiative Invest Forum
Hundreds of farmer families in Barbados, Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines could benefit from strengthening their capacities to effectively manage irrigation systems and equipment.
Bridgetown, Barbados, 18 October 2024 – During the dedicated presentation of the Caribbean regional proposal at the Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiH) Investment Forum, held from 15 to 17 October in Rome, Italy, FAO Director-General Mr. QU Dongyu stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling the critical challenges facing the Caribbean. He highlighted the need to strengthen efforts to address pressing issues such as climate change, water scarcity, poverty, and the region’s lack of resilience while underscoring irrigation’s essential role in fostering sustainability in the Caribbean.
Following the Director-General’s remarks, Mr. Shaun Baugh, CARICOM’s Program Manager for Agricultural Development, delivered a compelling joint investment proposal from the FAO and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) focused on Barbados, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The proposal is centred on leveraging digitalisation in irrigation systems to drive progress.
Mr. Baugh highlighted the population figures of Barbados (over 208,000), Jamaica (2.8 million), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (110,000), drawing attention to their heavy dependence on imported food. Barbados imports 80% of its food, Jamaica 45%, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 68%. He also noted that Barbados’ food import bill amounts to USD 408.5 million, while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines stand at USD 217 million. These challenges, he argued, offer significant opportunities to boost local food production, enhance the agricultural sector, and attract investment to the region.
The investment opportunities presented by Mr Baugh focused on enhancing irrigation infrastructure by utilising surface water and promoting sustainable solutions such as digitalised drip irrigation systems, digitalised drip irrigation systems, and Ultrasonic Volumetric Meters. Additionally, the proposal emphasises strengthening farmers’ capacities to manage irrigation systems and equipment effectively. The total investment, valued at USD 21 million, is designed to benefit 635 farmer families and 4,000 individuals across Barbados, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.
Following the presentation, a panel discussion was held, moderated by Dr. Renata Clarke, FAO’s Sub-regional Coordinator. The panel featured Hon. Indar Weir, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Barbados; Hon. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining in Jamaica; Mr Pablo Bartol, Social and Human Development Manager at CAF – Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean; and Mr Edward Bresnyan Jr., Senior Agriculture Economist at the World Bank.
During the discussion, Hon. Indar Weir emphasised the critical role of water in agriculture, stating that “Agriculture will not work without water. Given the severity of these events early in the season, we must recognise the need to accelerate the implementation of agricultural production systems that are less water-intensive so that we can better manage during dry seasons. At the same time, we must seize the opportunity to invest in water storage solutions, especially considering the floods that occur during the events. This presents one the greatest opportunities for investment in irrigation”.
Hon. Floyd Green noted that Jamaica experienced a USD 370 million loss to its agri-food system due to Hurricane Beryl, which struck early in the hurricane season. He added, “90 per cent of our farmers are small-scale, operating on less than one acre of land, making access to affordable water crucial. The Caribbean faces significant challenges in securing investments for agriculture, so we are particularly grateful to FAO for this investment opportunity”.
During the panel discussion, Mr. Edward Bresnyan Jr. emphasised the various efforts to support farming in the CARICOM region, such as conducting analytical work focused on improving resilience, enhancing nutrition security and improving competitiveness. All of this is particularly relevant in the context of irrigation. Some examples are drip irrigation, covered agriculture using greenhouses, and initiatives in water basins to protect water sources.
Fellow panellist Pablo Bartol stressed the importance of economic stability for agricultural investment, stating, “The stabilisation of local currencies is a requirement for investments. Stable water provision is also essential for investment in the agriculture system. Without a stable currency, investment will not flow into countries”.
During the closing remarks, Dr Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of CARICOM, expressed her appreciation for the discussions, stating, “FAO and the Caribbean community share a long-standing partnership that supports the bilateral relationship FAO maintains with each of our member states. CARICOM recognises the Hand-in-Hand Initiative as a valuable tool for removing barriers to agricultural development. We appreciate the support of the governments, development partners, and the private sector in promoting more targeted agricultural investments and implementing policies that foster resilient, sustainable and productive agrifood systems”.