Regional food security takes a step forward with the launch of the Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA) project.
The initiative primarily targets turmeric, cherry, and coconut production, providing farmers with specialized technical assistance.
The CAPA project aims to boost the production of fruits and vegetables, enhance domestic and regional marketing connections, and reinforce public-private sector extension skills, training, and systems to transfer best practices to smallholder farmers.
Agriculture Minister Zulfikar Mustapha emphasized the project’s critical implementation amid the challenges posed by the ongoing Russian-Ukraine war, contributing to increased food prices in the region.
While coconut production has seen a rise of 6500 acres from 2020 to 2023, there is high demand for cherries, with an anticipated annual yield of 1 million pounds.
Additionally, spices are now being cultivated.
USAID Regional Representative, Mervyn Farroe, expressed the agency’s commitment to supporting the Caribbean in unlocking its agricultural potential through CAPA.
A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed to facilitate collaboration between CAPA and the University of Guyana, aiming to improve the turmeric value chain in Guyana, Suriname, and St Vincent and the Grenadines.