Remarks by The Bahamas Minister of Agriculture at Opening of Caribbean Week of Agriculture
Minister of Agriculture And Marine Resources of The Bahamas, the Hon, Jomo Campbell, on Tuesday, 10 October 2023, delivered remarks at the opening of the 17th Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Nassau, The Bahamas.
The week of activities is being held at the Breezes Resort and Spa from 9-13 October under the theme ‘Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025’.
Please read his remarks below:
As the Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources, I am honoured to address this esteemed gathering and extend a warm welcome to my brothers and sisters from throughout the Caribbean to discuss a central issue to us all – food security.
Your presence signals that you are committed to making our region more food secure and have intentions on building upon our successes while also coming up with new strategies on how to achieve this loftier goal. it is significant that we are holding this conference during the 50th independence anniversary of The Bahamas and the 50th anniversary of the establishment of CARICOM. There’s no denying that we face numerous challenges.
Climate change continues to be a crucial threat to the world’s agriculture sector and unpredictable financial conditions are often passed down to consumers. However, the theme for this year’s Caribbean Week of Agriculture “Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025” cultivates hope that we can and will overcome these obstacles together. I believe that a common goal that we must share is a sustainable strategy to empower our farmers to grow more food. Through our efforts, it is possible to make real and steady progress to reduce our imports by 25 percent by 2025. Vision 25 by 2025 sets forth a comprehensive roadmap for transforming Caribbean agriculture into a thriving, innovative and resilient industry. It envisions a future where our food systems are not only able to withstand external shocks, but also contribute to economic growth, social development and environmental sustainability of our nations. One of the key pillars of Vision 25 by 2025 is the promotion of sustainable farming practices.
There’s no denying that we’re seeing more severe storms and more extreme high temperatures. And so, we must prepare today for tomorrow’s threats. We are in need of new, out-of-the box thinking and solutions. It will take unprecedented efforts on our part, but together we can brainstorm sustainable strategies to transform our food systems. We can utilise strategies such as precision agriculture techniques, remote sensing technologies, and data analytics so that we can optimise resource utilisation and improve crop yields, all while minimising environmental impacts. Embracing these innovations, will not only increase our productivity but also position our farmers as leaders in the global marketplace.
However, to accelerate the Vision 25 by 2025, we must also address the pressing issue of reducing our dependence of imports. The Bahamas’ import bill continues to hover around 90 per cent – a challenge shared by many Caribbean countries. However, by diversifying our agricultural production and promoting the cultivation of nutritious, locally-grown crops, we can enhance our food security, improve public health and stimulate economic growth within our region.
We must also remember to engage our youth to provide them with opportunities to contribute and provide our nations with diverse and fresh perspectives on how to achieve our goals. The Caribbean holds immense potential in agriculture. This is why it is crucial that we harness this potential and explore innovative ways to ensure sustainable growth in our sector. This week provides us with a unique opportunity to collaborate, share knowledge and best practices that will contribute to the advancement of agriculture in our region. Throughout this event, we will witness insightful discussions, thought-provoking presentations and engaging interactions from experts in various fields. We are seeking to forge strong partnerships, leverage technology and embrace innovation to propel our agricultural sectors to new heights. Together, we can overcome challenges and create a future where agriculture flourishes, nourishing our nations and empowering our people.
Ladies and gentlemen, as we gather here for Caribbean Agriculture Week, let us redouble our efforts to accelerate the implementation of Vision 25 by 2025. Together, let us seize this opportunity to work hand in hand towards a flourishing, food secure future. And now, please welcome a Prime Minister who has led the charge in ensuring that food security remains a top priority for the Commonwealth of The Bahamas – Prime Minister Hon. Philip Brave Davis.
Source: CARICOM TODAY