IICA and FAO lead regional dialogue on Sweet Potato

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and regional collaboration through the hosting of the inaugural Next Generation Sweet Potato Production in the Caribbean’s annual Project Virtual Symposium 2025.

The event held via zoom on October 15, 2025, brought together more than 90 participants from the Bahamas to Suriname. These included technical experts, policymakers, farmers, and research partners from 13 Caribbean islands to explore harnessing plant and soil microbial genetic diversity to improve sweet potato production in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and St. Lucia.

Funded by the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Benefit-sharing Fund, and co-funded by the European Union, the project is implemented by IICA in collaboration with CARDI and the Ministries of Agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, and Jamaica.

IICA Representative in the Eastern Caribbean States, Gregg Rawlins, underscored that the project aligns with CARICOM’s 25 by 25+5 Initiative, which aims to reduce regional food imports by 25% by 2030.

“By improving access to clean, high-quality planting materials and introducing stress-tolerant and pest-resistant varieties, this initiative is helping to build a stronger, more self-reliant Caribbean,” Rawlins said. “It’s about more than productivity, it’s about empowering women, youth, and differently abled persons to lead in transforming our agricultural systems for future generations.”

He also commended the dedication of the project teams across Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and St. Lucia, recognising their progress in establishing a community of practice and advancing research on virus-free cultivars and biocontrol for the sweet potato weevil Cylas formicarius.

Trade and Markets Officer and Acting FAO representative in Barbados, Juan Cheaz, highlighted the versatility and resilience of sweet potato as a strategic crop for the region.

“Sweet potato thrives in our soils, withstands drought and heat, and provides vital nutrients to our communities,” he said.

“It connects directly to our goals for food security, climate resilience, and inclusive rural development. To unlock its full potential, we must ensure that farmers have consistent and reliable access to clean planting materials. This is the foundation of productivity.”

He noted that FAO remains committed to working alongside IICA, the International Potato Centre (CIP), and Caribbean countries to strengthen clean seed systems, scale up innovation, and transform knowledge into tangible results for farmers and consumers alike.

Genetic Resources Scientist at the International Potato Centre (CIP), Dr. Alexandre Mello, who gave the keynote address, shared insights on sweet potato genetic diversity and its potential to address global food and climate challenges.

The symposium sessions focused on plant and microbial genetic resources utilisation under the Next Generation Sweet Potato Project.

Launched between October 2024, and February 2025, the Next Generation Sweet Potato Project has already identified 12 farmer-preferred cultivars in Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia for virus cleaning and conservation. Work is also underway on identifying native strains of sweet potato weevil biocontrol fungi and conducting baseline surveys to guide field evaluations in Jamaica. More than 100 technicians have been trained in clean seed systems, biocontrol, and sweet potato clean seed systems, strengthening regional capacity for innovation.