Urgent investment in irrigation for agriculture in the Caribbean takes center stage at FAO Hand-in-Hand (HiH) Initiative Invest Forum

During the dedicated presentation of the Caribbean regional proposal at the Hand-in-Hand Initiative (HiH) Investment Forum, held from 15 to 17 October in Rome, Italy, FAO Director-General Mr. Qu Dongyu stressed the importance of collaboration in tackling the critical challenges facing the Caribbean. He highlighted the need to strengthen efforts in addressing pressing issues such as climate change, water scarcity, poverty, and the region’s lack of resilience, while underscoring the essential role that irrigation plays in fostering sustainability in the Caribbean.

Following the Director-General's remarks, Mr. Shaun Baugh, CARICOM's Program Manager for Agricultural Development, delivered a compelling joint investment proposal from the FAO and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) focused on Barbados, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. The proposal is centered on leveraging digitalization in irrigation systems to drive progress.

Mr. Baugh highlighted the population figures of Barbados (over 208,000), Jamaica (2.8 million), and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (110,000), drawing attention to their heavy dependence on imported food. Barbados imports 80% of its food, Jamaica 45%, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 68%. He also noted that Barbados' food import bill amounts to USD 408.5 million, while Saint Vincent and the Grenadines' stands at USD 217 million. These challenges, he argued, offer significant opportunities to boost local food production, enhance the agricultural sector, and attract investment to the region.

The investment opportunities presented by Mr Baugh focused on enhancing irrigation infrastructure by utilizing surface water and promoting, sustainable solutions such as such as digitalized drip irrigation systems, digitalized drip irrigation systems, and Ultrasonic Volumetric Meters. Additionally, the proposal emphasizes strengthening farmers capacities to manage irrigation systems and equipment effectively. The total investment, valued at USD 21 million, is designed to benefit 635 farmer families and 4,000 individuals across Barbados, Jamaica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Following the presentation, a panel discussion was held, moderated by Dr Renata Clarke, FAO’s Sub-regional Coordinator. The panel featured Hon. Indar Weir, Minister of Agriculture and Food Security in Barbados; Hon. Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining in Jamaica; Mr. Pablo Bartol, Social and Human Development Manager at CAF - Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean; and Mr. Edward Bresnyan Jr., Senior Agriculture Economist at the World Bank.

During the discussion, Hon. Indar Weir emphasized the critical role of water in agriculture, stating that, “Agriculture will not work without water. Given the severity of these events early in the season, we must recognize the need to accelerate to implement agricultural production systems that are less water intensive, so that we can better manage during dry seasons. At the same time, we must seize the opportunity to invest in water storage solutions, especially considering the floods that occur during the events. This presents one the greatest opportunities for investment in irrigation”.

Hon. Floyd Green noted that Jamaica experienced a USD 370 million loss to its agri-food system due to Hurricane Beryl, which struck early in the hurricane season. He added, “90 percent of our farmers are small scale, operating on less than one acre of land, making access to affordable water crucial.  The Caribbean faces significant challenges in securing investments for agriculture, so we are particularly grateful to FAO for this investment opportunity”.

During the panel discussion, Mr. Edward Bresnyan Jr. emphasized the various efforts to support farming in the CARICOM region, such as, conducting analytical work focused on improving resilience, enhancing nutrition security and improving competitiveness. All of this is particularly relevant in the context of irrigation. Some examples, drip irrigation, covered agriculture using greenhouses, and initiatives in water basins to protect water sources.

Fellow panelist, Pablo Bartol stressed the importance of economic stability for agricultural investment, stating, “The stabilization of local currencies is a requirement for investments. Stable water provision is also essential for investment in the agriculture system. Without a stable currency, investment will not flow into countries”.

During the closing remarks, Dr. Carla Barnett, Secretary-General of CARICOM, expressed her appreciation for the discussions, stating, “FAO and the Caribbean community share a long-standing partnership that supports the bilateral relationship FAO maintains with each of our member states. CARICOM recognizes the Hand-in-Hand Initiative as a valuable tool for removing barriers to agricultural development. We appreciate the support of the governments, development partners, and the private sector in promoting more targeted agricultural investments and implementing policies that foster resilient, sustainable and productive agrifood systems”.

About the Hand-in-Hand (HiH) Initiative

The HiH Initiative is a global flagship initiative launched by FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu in 2020. To date, 72 countries have joined the initiative which supports the implementation of ambitious, country-led programs to accelerate the transformation of agri-food systems by eradicating poverty (SDG 1), ending hunger and malnutrition (SDG 2), and reducing inequalities (SDG 10).  Through this initiative, FAO prioritizes countries and territories where poverty and hunger are highest, where national governments request capacity strengthening, or where operational challenges are greatest due to natural or man-made crises.

The areas of intervention include developing value chains for priority commodities, creating agro-industries and efficient water management systems, introducing digital services and precision agriculture, reducing food loss and waste, and addressing climate challenges and weather-related risks.

The 2024 Investment Forum is the cornerstone of the initiative's partnership-building efforts, providing a platform for national authorities to present opportunities to investors, multilateral development banks, the private sector, and donors, focusing on the potential for investment in national agriculture and opportunities in agri-food value chains.

For participating countries, long-term public sector investment financing is critical to the success of the HiH Initiative. For multilateral development banks, blended finance structures and risk mitigation mechanisms can support private sector investors in the poorest and most fragile countries, helping to enhance their role in fostering sustainable development. 

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This story was first published by FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean.