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‘The Jagdeo Initiative’ Still as relevant in 2016 as it was in 2005

Keron Bascombe

Mr. Barton Clarke -Executive Director of CARDI

“The Jagdeo Initiative is a strategy for removing constraints to the development of Agriculture in the Caribbean. It builds upon past regional efforts to develop a Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and identifies ten key binding constraints faced by the sector.”

The 14th Caribbean Week of Agriculture commenced on Monday 24th October with a brief media meeting and the Opening Plenary. The panel consisted of representatives from the different sponsoring agencies, who highlighted the importance of investing in Agriculture and promoting partnerships to ensure the Caribbean Agri-sector reaches its full potential.

These are topics that were discussed at previous Agriculture Week meetings over the years, so in 2016 what are the solutions?

Mr. Barton Clarke, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, (CARDI), made reference to a discussion between himself and the President of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana, His Excellency Brigadier David Granger, where the President stated that he wanted to take on the responsibility of the lead Head of Agriculture within the region.

Among other things, the President noted that, from a financial standpoint, he understands the Caribbean Agriculture sector may not have the capacity to compete with neighbouring foreign markets such a Brazil.

He also touched on future projects with the collaboration of IICA and FAO to help with the financial constraints within the Agri-sector.

This presentation by Mr. Clarke signifies the relevance of the “Jagdeo Initiative” to date. Within the Jagdeo Initiative, 10 key binding constraints to sustainable agricultural development within the region were identified.

Mr. Clarke highlighted two of these constraints. The first referred to ‘limited financing and inadequate new investments’ while the second referred to ‘inadequate research and development’.

It is therefore imperative that the key partners of the Jadgeo Initiative along with the President of Guyana review this document, identify the region’s present position with establishing and executing the necessary interventions that were identified in 2005, and update accordingly to reflect same.

Also taking this year’s theme for World Food Day ‘Climate is Changing. Food and Agriculture Must Too’ into consideration it also highlighted that it is important for us to not only invest in food and agriculture but invest and address it in our climate action plans and invest more in rural development.

The effects of climate change are far reaching and cuts across these key sectors, therefore it is essential for our leaders to maintain a broad outlook.

The fact that President Granger wants to lead the quest to food security is an excellent step and vital to greening Guyana’s economy. His vision along with some of those within the Jagdeo Initiative could see some efficiency and data being produced in the region.

It allows room for research and even encourages youth to get involved in Agriculture. All things that are very much needed just as much as they were in 2005.

Written by: Dionne Cush

Edited by: Nakasi Fortune

Photo Credit: Avneel Abhishay

Copyright © 2016, CTA. Technical Centre for Rural and Agricultural Cooperation

CTA is a joint international institution of the African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) Group of States and the European Union (EU). CTA operates under the framework of the Cotonou Agreement and is funded by the EU.