NASSAU, BAHAMAS — The government is making “unprecedented” investments in food production and food security, according to Prime Minister Philip Davis, who said that the Caribbean region could leverage innovations to begin laying the foundation for expanded food production capacity and enhanced long-term food security for our Caribbean people.
During his remarks at the opening of Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2023, Davis acknowledged the great regional potential for agriculture and the inherent challenges to farming and agri-business in the region.
“The Caribbean is poised to see an agricultural boom. Even in historically difficult environments, we are seeing innovations that allow for sustainable farming practices – sustainable from a food production perspective, as well as a business model perspective,” David remarked.
“While this progress gives us hope, it will take more than just hope to fulfill our agricultural potential. It requires united action, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to feeding ourselves as a regional policy priority.”
He further stated: “Here in The Bahamas, we are making unprecedented investments in food production and food security in the form of climate, land, and research grants, and the provision of infrastructural support through packing houses, abattoirs, and other publicly funded facilities.
“We also have plans to drive a domestic take-over of egg production with long-term goals of targeting the lucrative poultry market.”
Prime Minister Davis noted that The Bahamas is not alone in its efforts to boost agricultural production, with significant efforts also underway in Belize, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and Jamaica.
“We are uniquely prepared to overcome the existing challenges. While the global community has recently come to terms with the fragility of international food systems, for us in the Caribbean, this has always been the reality.
“We need look no further than a few miles to the south at the Bahamian island of Eleuthera. In the 1800’s, Eleuthera was exporting millions of pineapples around the world. It is said that pineapples from Eleuthera were used to start Hawaii’s pineapple industry. However, due to soil exhaustion, pests, diseases, and international competition and trade laws, the booming global Eleuthera pineapple industry declined significantly,” Davis said.
He noted that countries in the region have the chance to take advantage of those technological advances in agriculture today.
“Just as the island of Eleuthera is expanding its pineapple production once again, we can leverage innovations to begin laying the foundation for expanded food production capacity and enhanced long-term food security for our Caribbean people. There is the opportunity to learn from one another, support one another, and establish agricultural trade policies to fill market gaps. If we truly want to accelerate progress to our 25 by 2025 goal, we must combine our strengths,” Davis said.
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