Belmopan, October 1, 2026.
Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Minister of Agriculture, Food Security, and New Growth Industries, participated in a public forum with regional agriculture ministers on a panel entitled “Transforming Regional Food Systems: A Case for accelerating Vision 25 by 2025 + 5,” on Monday, September 28, 2026. During his intervention, Minister Ferguson made valuable points about trade and production in the Caribbean, noting that Caribbean countries need to change their attitudes toward locally made products and improve transportation between them. He pointed out a mentality that places a higher value on products from foreign countries, with less support for local products from Caribbean countries.
Minister Ferguson called on agriculture ministers from the Caribbean to explore solutions to improve marketing and shipping links to their countries to enhance agricultural capacities. He also pointed out Belize’s readiness to supply agricultural products to the Caribbean and Central America and said regional cooperation would help address logistical challenges. Media outlets such as the Gleaner and Observer newspapers in Jamaica have included articles with responses from the local chamber of commerce to Minister Ferguson’s arguments.
This is the twentieth edition of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, being held under the theme “The New Face of Caribbean Food Systems.” The event is being held in Trelawney, Jamaica, from September 27 to October 2. The focus of the activities being held during the week includes:
- Food Security: Enhancing regional self-sufficiency and nutritional access;
- Agri-Business Development: Unlocking private-sector investment and market growth;
- Climate-Smart Technologies: Accelerating adoption of resilient farming practices;
- Export Expansion: Overcoming intra-regional trade barriers and reaching international markets.
The event serves as a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing designed to aid the development of increasingly modern, competitive, and resilient agriculture in the Caribbean countries.
More than 600 delegates representing approximately 36 to 40 countries are participating, with more than 70 technical and networking sessions. Alongside high-level ministerial meetings, major exhibitions, a trade show, a Youth Village, and regional awards, including the CARICOM Farmer and Young Farmer of the Year, will be held throughout the week.
The Caribbean Institute for Agricultural Research and Development (CARDI) and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) are helping to organize the event, along with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and CARICOM.
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