SVG Primes for Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity

St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) will soon be gaining significantly from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA). The programme is geared at boosting food security by the expansion of fruit and vegetable production, building the capacity of buyers and input suppliers to strengthen relationships with farmers and improving level extension systems, states a release from the Ministry of Agriculture.

The Initiative comprises three interrelated components with each carrying specific roles to positively impact smallholder farmers, enterprises and consumers across the region. Objective one- seeks to increase smallholder market-led production of fruits and vegetables. Objective two- improving domestic and regional market linkages for smallholder farmers; and Objective three- strengthen public/private sector extension skills, capacity and systems to transfer best practices to smallholder farmers.

The three year, $5.3 million USAID programme will utilise an integrated value chain approach, the release outlines. The project will incorporate the inclusion of on-farm technologies, such as shade houses and climate smart practices to fortify production and practical storage solutions to maintain shelf life.

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour, Saboto Caesar met with officials of USAID and IESC on Wednesday, July 26, to cement further the CAPA that will be launched here in October. Minister Caesar stressed the importance of the collaborative effort to promote the growth and sustainability of the Agricultural sector, with an emphasis on exploring greater opportunities for the expansion of export markets through an international standardised framework.

CAPA will implement interventions in Guyana, Suriname, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

Project Manager Specialist, USAID, Durwin Humphrey emphasised that projects will cater to the main priorities of each country and noted that the ground work is being laid out and includes the collection of data.

CAPA is being implemented by Improving Economies for Stronger Communities (IESC), and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Manager, Agriculture-led Growth, IESC, Rachel Posner, and Regional Representative, Eastern and Southern Caribbean, USAID Mervyn Farroe were also present at the meeting.