The Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) is concluding its annual event in the Bahamas today, with a delegation of eight members from Antigua and Barbuda in attendance.

The 2023 edition of the CWA is based on the theme ‘Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025.’

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) conceptualized the CWA to prioritize agriculture and rural life in regional integration activities.

Its goal is to help public and private sector decision-makers understand the importance of agriculture and rural life to the region’s economic, social, and environmental stability, and provide major stakeholders a platform to dialogue and build a common vision for the repositioning of agriculture and the enhancement of rural life.

The Antigua and Barbuda delegation includes Permanent Secretary Sandra Joseph, Director of Agriculture Gregory Bailey, Senior Plant Forestry Officer Adriel Thibou, Liaison Officer Events Marcelle Freeland, Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Tubal Edwards, Plant Protection Officer Dr. Janil Gore-Francis, Veterinary Officer Dr. Chere Kellman, and Director of the GARD Centre June Jackson.

The CWA is the Caribbean Region’s premier event on the agriculture calendar. It is convened under the aegis of the Alliance for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and the Rural Milieu (‘The Alliance’).

Since its inaugural meeting in 1998, the two central collaborating agencies have been IICA and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.

In 2002, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) joined IICA and CARICOM to establish a core group that functions as The Alliance’s Secretariat.

Since then, the four agencies have collaborated on the management and logistics necessary for the convening and servicing of meetings of The Alliance, as well as the myriad of activities during the CWA.

Antigua and Barbuda has set up a booth at the CWA where it displays several agro-processing products.