Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar says Climate Change is a threat to agriculture and food security in the region, evidenced by this nation being taken to the brink of food insecurity, following the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Minister Saboto Caesar made the assertion in his address to the delegates attending this year’s Caribbean Week of Agriculture.

Minister Caesar said time is of the essence, which encourages member states to take action to ensure important outcomes of CWA 2024.

Speaking on NBC Radio Minister Caesar disclosed that "ninety-eight percent (98%) of the bananas and plaintains were destroyed, hundreds of fishing boats wholly or partially destroyed and a tuna vessel from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines was later found in the Cayman Islands, and our nation is taken to the brink of food insecurity, time is of the essence".

It encourages us to do the following, as an important outcome of CWA 2024:

All Member States must complete a situational analysis related to our readiness to address climate change mitigation.

All Member States ought to complete a National Asset Mapping Exercise to be able to define the resources available and needed for Climate Smart Agriculture, a cleared methodology for a well-defined structure and conceived National Climate Smart Food Production Plan must be established and National Budget must be geared in executing these plans.


The Minister called for focused discussions at this week’s events for more resilience and strengthened action.

He also stated that "Food has always played a critical role in shaping world history. Minister Caesar said that he now predicts that where we can and cannot grow food as a result of climate change will have a significant impact on the next wave of human migration for farmers, fishers, agro-processors, an agro-chained mobiliser we love you. CWA 2024 is about our appreciation for our hard work to be or not to be let us ensure that we play our part while we have the responsibility so to do".


SOURCE: National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC Radio)

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