SVG makes moves to reduce hunger to zero

“When the history books are written… it will reflect a note that St Vincent and the Grenadines is the first… English-speaking state in the Caribbean to take to their Parliament and to establish a Parliamentary Front to reduce hunger and undernourishment to zero. That is a fact!”

This, according to Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation and Industry Saboto Caesar, as he lauded the joint efforts of the Government and the Opposition{{more}} in launching the ‘Parliamentary Front Against Hunger and Undernourishment’ yesterday, September 14.

“This is not expected to be another talk shop – it’s time for action,” insisted Caesar. “We have to re-double our efforts. We have to be forthright and resolute in this most important productive sector. If we are to reduce hunger and undernourishment to zero, it means that we have to produce more, and we have to ensure that there is greater equity in the distribution.”

In his address, the Minister not only highlighted the importance of the Parliamentary Front, but also expressed gratitude to the Opposition for coming on board “one hundred per cent,” as well as seconding the motion in Parliament.

He further explained that this initiative is something that other heads of government within the region – and in particular the OECS – are looking to implement as well.

“It is our intention to one day have a general motion moved at the OECS Parliamentary level, once there is an agreement from all the heads of states in the OECS… Let us use our forces of integration.”

Referring to the initiative as “historic”, Roland ‘Patel’ Matthews, the Opposition (New Democratic Party) Member of Parliament for North Leeward pointed out: “This agreement… represents a victory of democracy, a triumph for all Vincentians, and hope and commitment to the Caribbean and to the wider world.”

He noted that this initiative is a response to the calls to “provide adequate food for citizens [who are] currently excluded from enjoying conditions for the proper access to food, in quantity and quality, necessary to enjoy a dignified life.”

In addition to contributions from the various Ministries and private stakeholders, Matthews asserted that “civil society needs to play a major role in the way forward.

“We need to think outside the box; being innovative and creative. We need to be very critical and strategic for ensuring the accomplishment of our mission!”

He added: “We have taken a bold step to establish this front against hunger and undernourishment… In SVG, hunger is not at an alarming rate; however, whatever rate it is, we need to stamp it out.”

Also addressing the launch was Jorge O’Ryan, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) officer for Governance, Partnership and Public Policy for Food and Nutrition Security for the Caribbean.

O’Ryan drove home the importance of eradicating hunger, and also ensuring food security, given the natural disasters that have not only been ravaging

the Caribbean in recent times, but also across the world.

Moreover, the FAO representative highlighted the importance of schools/the education system and family farming in helping to push forward this zero hunger initiative.

He also made mention of the fact that Brazil has made history in being the country to have reduced hunger among its citizens by the biggest ever margin, and suggested that the rest of the world should look to them as an example of what can be achieved.

On Tuesday, August 25, Minister of Agriculture Saboto Caesar put forward the motion (which was seconded by the Opposition) for a ‘Parliamentary Front against hunger and undernourishment in St Vincent and the Grenadines’ – through the assistance of the FAO.

The initiative — which will comprise both a Parliamentary committee and a national committee (stakeholders from public and private sector) — will focus on seven strategic points, namely: identifying persons who constitute the “extremely vulnerable” group; investigating causes of the overarching problem of hunger and undernourishment/malnutrition; making a customized food and nutrition plan for the vulnerable (utilizing local foods); providing financial and technical support of food production systems for families; establishing an integrated school-feeding programme (involving locally produced goods); working along with the social welfare department; and ensuring a system for transparent, ongoing analysis and assessment of the work of the initiative.

According to FAO statistics, St Vincent and the Grenadines moved from having 19.2 per cent of its population characterized as ‘hungry and undernourished’ in 1990 – 1992 to 4.9 per cent in 2010 – 2012. (JSV)