by Kevon Browne
St. Kitts and Nevis (WINN): The 17th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2023 is fast approaching, where the advancement of agriculture and regional nutrition security is the focus.
Regional agricultural enterprises and products are showcased, and business-to-business and government-to-business engagements with private-sector players are facilitated.
The Theme for CWA 2023 is “Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025”, and will be held in the Bahamas from October 9 – 13, 2023.
According to the CARICOM Secretariat, there is much anticipation for the week of activities, especially after President of Guyana Irfaan Ali, who is also the Lead Head of Government with responsibility for Agriculture and Agriculture Development in the CARICOM Quasi-Cabinet announced that 300 CARICOM nationals would be trained in hydroponics and aquaculture, at least half of whom will be women.
Ms Milagro Matus – Deputy Programme Manager – Agricultural & Agro-Industrial Development in the CARICOM Secretariat, shared some critical aspects of this year’s theme and what the week entails.
Among the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is also an official partner for the 2023 hosting of CWA 2023.
Director General of IICA, Dr Manuel Otero, shared IICA’s historical conceptualisation and participation in the CWA and the week’s significance as a means for Caribbean integration.
The 17th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2023, considered the premier agricultural activity for people in the sector, will also focus on matching bankable agricultural projects with available private and public financing and addressing crosscutting issues such as climate change, access to finance and other emerging threats to agricultural development in the Region.
