OECS ministers of agriculture will meet in Basseterre on Friday July 18th to discuss an integrated approach to the development of agriculture in the OECS sub region.

During the one-day of talks at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s Sir Cecil Jacobs Auditorium, the ministers will hear a presentation by the OECS Secretariat on an Agricultural Policy and Strategic Plan of Action.

George Alcee, Agricultural Economist at the OECS Secretariat says the proposed Agricultural Policy covers aspects such as Legal and Institutional Reform, natural resources management, an industry led approach for product development and marketing, financial options, an incentives regime as well as food production and food security. 

The ministers will also review insurance as a mitigation mechanism in light of unforeseen events and consider land lease arrangements for the proper control of lands, including a secure means of operating in the sector. Stakeholders and institutions, which include the International Institute for Corporation in Agriculture, the Caribbean Agriculture Resarch and Development Institute, the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the University of the West Indies the Caribbean Agri-business Marketing Intelligence and Development Network, the Ministries of Agriculture and the CARICOM Secretariat will also indicate their support in the implementation of policy and plan of action for the pending new phase of agriculture development for the sub-region.

Last December in Castries agriculture ministers met on consolidating action towards the sustainable development of the sector, including the development of a policy framework for agriculture in the OECS.

At that conference ministers of agriculture pledged their commitment and agreed to meet at least once a year to discuss and guide the direction of the new approach in OECS agriculture development.