Vermaran Extavour, Value Chain Expert and FAO Project Coordinator; Dr. Renata Clarke, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean; Roberto Telleria, FAO Policy Officer; Michelle Parkins, Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining; and the Honourable Floyd Green, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, during the formalization of a USD $500,000 FAO emergency support agreement for farmers and fishers affected by Hurricane Beryl during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2024 in St. Vincent and the Grenadines on October 9, 2024.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations has extended critical support to the agricultural sector in the Caribbean, providing USD $500,000 for emergency response and early recovery efforts aimed at small farmers and artisanal fishers affected by Hurricane Beryl. This financial assistance will benefit Jamaica, Grenada, and St. Vincent & the Grenadines, with a focus on mitigating the impact of natural disasters on agriculture.

At the 2024 Caribbean Week of Agriculture, a technical partnership was formalized between Jamaica and the FAO during a bilateral meeting between the Honourable Floyd Green, Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining, and Dr. Renata Clarke, FAO Subregional Coordinator for the Caribbean. This partnership aligns with Jamaica's ongoing priority to strengthen national agricultural systems and reduce vulnerability to climate change and natural disasters.

Minister Green stated that, “We are incredibly grateful for this support from the FAO, which comes at a time when our farmers and fishers are still grappling with the harsh realities of Hurricane Beryl. Many of them lost not just their crops and equipment, but their primary source of income and stability. With damages reaching JMD $6.5 billion, this assistance is a lifeline for communities working hard to rebuild. It’s not just about recovery; this partnership will help us build resilience, so our agricultural sector can better withstand future challenges.”

Minister Green expressed deep appreciation for the FAO’s timely assistance, emphasizing that it arrives at a crucial time and bolsters the Ministry’s ongoing recovery efforts following Hurricane Beryl.

In addition to this emergency support, the FAO reaffirmed its commitment to advancing youth engagement in agriculture across the region. The organization expressed strong backing for the Regional Youth in Agriculture Policy, which Jamaica is spearheading. This initiative aims to empower young people to take on leadership roles within the agricultural sector and ensure the future sustainability of food production in the region.

Minister Green is leading the Jamaican delegation at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2024, hosted in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The event, which opened on Monday, October 7, 2024, is centered around the theme “Climate-smart Agriculture for a Sustainable Future.” It brings together agricultural leaders and stakeholders from across the Caribbean to address critical issues surrounding food security. With a full week of discussions, panels, and exhibitions planned, the Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2024 aims to chart a course for a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future for the region.

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