The Caribbean Community’s goal of reducing food imports to the Region by 25 percent by 2025, has received a boost from the government of New Zealand to the tune of 1.6 million US dollars, targeting women and youth in agriculture.
A grant funding agreement in this regard was signed recently by CARICOM Secretary General, Dr. Carla Barnett and New Zealand’s Ambassador to CARICOM, Linda Charlotte Te Puni.
The regional food security project entitled: “CARICOM BOOST: Women and Youth in Agriculture”, is part of New Zealand’s commitment to further deepening development cooperation with CARICOM.
It seeks to enhance sustainable production, climate change resilience and profitability of 47 CARICOM women and youth farmer groups in ten Member States.
It is expected to see the use of protected structures and appropriate cold storage unit technologies in women and youth-led agriculture production.
The general aim of the project is to promote climate smart agriculture through sustainable agriculture production.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of CARICOM, Secretary-General Barnett noted that the project reflects a collaborative approach that will impact positively on the Region’s food security system and benefit the most vulnerable.
The grant funding follows a new Cooperation agreement between CARICOM and New Zealand, signed in June last year.
