The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) under the FAO-UWI Transformational Agri-Food Systems Project, has recently concluded a fact-finding mission in Antigua and Barbuda.
The mission was conducted with the assistance of consultants, Erica Haughton-Project Coordinator, and Dr. Dale Rankine- Lead Consultant).
The first phase of the project took place from 4th to 8th December, 2022 and was coordinated by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) with support from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs.
Twenty-five in-person consultations, which included field visits, were undertaken with a diverse cross-section of key stakeholders.
The successful mission allowed the team to fully grasp the nuances of the agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda.
Following the fact-finding mission, the second phase, which took the form of a national consultation, was held between local stakeholders and ministry technicians on 14th and 15th February at the Environmental Division.
Represented at the consultations were crop and livestock farmers, agro-processors, agricultural science teachers and officers from the Extension Division.
The consultations were held under the theme, Scenario Planning Workshop for the Development of Baseline Climate Impact Assessments for Development of Transformational Agri-Food Systems Programme in the Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDs).
Over thirty-five people participated in the two days of talks which reviewed the report produced by the consultants, Ms. Haughton and Dr. Rankine.
The report highlighted the characteristics of the country’s agricultural sector and how agriculture and climate change challenges are affecting food and nutritional security and productivity in Antigua and Barbuda.
It also looked at the conservation of the country’s natural resources.
Meanwhile, Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) National Specialist, Craig Thomas, explained that the IICA’s role in the project was to coordinate and bring together all the key stakeholders.
In December they interviewed several farmers and educators to gain insight and collect data.
The IICA’s goal is to develop ways in which they can support solutions that address the concerns within the sector.
Antigua and Barbuda’s Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs, Gregory Bailey addressed the session and acknowledged the multi-dimensional requirements faced in addressing local challenges and presented possible solutions.
With the shortage of water being the primary concern across all agricultural sectors, Bailey said he was pleased to receive the feedback provided by the consultants as it targeted Potential Climate Smart Adaptation Options of Relevance for Antigua and Barbuda.
Dr. Rankine noted that climate change’s impact on the Caribbean region elevates the importance of continuous adaptation in order to sustain food security.
Rankine continued that reduced rainfall and hotter climate has significantly hampered the agriculture sector which must now adapt and find innovative ways of combating climate change.
The aim of the project is to enable the development of baseline climate impact assessments for Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda, and the Bahamas.
The objective of the exercise is to facilitate three primary outcomes:
(1) to make Caribbean agriculture, forestry and fisheries more productive and sustainable
(2) to increase the resilience of livelihoods to threats and crises and
(3) to develop three sector specific concepts for agriculture, forestry and fisheries projects in Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda and the Bahamas.
The next stage will involve the formulation of a concept document, which, once completed, will be shared with all stakeholders for review before a final document is submitted to the FAO for consideration.
