What's Happening?
The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission, in collaboration with several international and regional partners, has conducted a three-day workshop aimed at strengthening white potato production and marketing across the Eastern Caribbean.
Held from December 1-3, the workshop brought together approximately fifty technical officers, policymakers, researchers, farmers, and development partners from six participating countries and territories, including the British Virgin Islands, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The initiative is part of a broader regional effort to reduce import dependence, enhance food and nutrition security, and advance the OECS Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Strategy. The workshop focused on creating opportunities, reducing vulnerabilities, and strengthening economic and nutritional security for communities in the region.
Why It's Important?
This initiative is significant as it addresses the Eastern Caribbean's heavy reliance on imported food, particularly white potatoes, which are a staple in the region. By enhancing local production, the OECS aims to reduce the economic vulnerabilities associated with global supply shocks and high import bills. The workshop also supports the CARICOM '25 by 2025 plus five' initiative, which seeks to improve food security and resilience to climate change. The strategic focus on empowering youth, women, and rural communities is expected to foster a more inclusive and competitive agricultural economy. This move could lead to increased self-sufficiency, economic stability, and improved nutritional outcomes for the region.
What's Next?
Following the workshop, there is a commitment to advance a coordinated regional approach to white potato development. This includes strengthening technical capacity and supporting member states in scaling production to meet domestic demand. The outcomes of the workshop will contribute to the development of a regional strategic framework for white potato production, aligned with national priorities and the broader FAST Strategy. Continued collaboration among OECS member states and international partners is expected to drive the transformation of the agricultural sector, reducing food import dependence and enhancing resilience across the Eastern Caribbean.
