Eastern Carib’n countries take steps to improve agriculture

Amid rising global tariffs — particularly from the United States — that threaten the agriculture industry in many countries, the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) is taking proactive steps to strengthen agricultural development among its member states.

Earlier this month, Ministers and technical stakeholders in agriculture from across the OECS met in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines to discuss strategies for boosting regional food production and enhancing food security in the face of mounting challenges from climate change, external trade policies, and economic pressures.

OECS Commission Director General, Dr. Didacus Jules, highlighted that member states currently import up to 90% of their food, driven in large part by demand from the tourism sector. He emphasized the urgent need to shift from a focus on food security to food sovereignty, in order to reduce the region’s vulnerability to global trade disruptions.

Dr. Jules cited the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the rise of trade nationalism as key factors that have exposed significant weaknesses in regional food systems.

During the meeting, OECS Ministers agreed that agricultural development in the Eastern Caribbean must move beyond merely increasing production. They called for a systems-based approach that includes improved transportation, packaging, quality standards, and direct support for farmers.

In response to the potential fallout from U.S. tariffs on global trade, the Caribbean region is actively seeking to deepen intra-regional trade ties. Premier Dr. Natalio Wheatley recently announced plans to establish a new trading partnership with the Dominican Republic, with a trade mission to the Spanish-speaking nation expected in the near future.