Saint Lucia’s Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, Lisa Jawahir, has called for stronger regional collaboration and international support to help Caribbean farmers manage climate-related risks.
Speaking at a Food and Agriculture Organization meeting in Brazil, Jawahir stressed the need for shared agricultural insurance mechanisms across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, noting that climate shocks continue to threaten food production and rural livelihoods across the region.
Jawahir said agricultural transformation in the Caribbean cannot be achieved by individual countries acting alone.
“It requires a whole-of-government and whole-of-region approach to agri-food systems transformation,” she stated.
“The vulnerabilities we face, climate shocks, rising input costs, supply chain disruptions, and geopolitical tensions are not unique to any single country. These pressures affect the entire Caribbean region.”
She explained that strengthening coordination among governments must also include deeper regional collaboration so countries can address shared risks together.
“As a result, strengthening coordination across governments must also mean deepening regional collaboration, allowing us to address shared risks together while expanding our policy options,” Jawahir said.
One key area she highlighted was agricultural risk management, particularly the growing threat posed by climate-related disasters.
“Climate-related disasters remain one of the most significant threats to our farmers in this region,” she noted.
Jawahir pointed to Saint Lucia’s introduction of parametric insurance for banana and plantain farmers as a practical example of how governments can support agricultural resilience.
“In Saint Lucia, we have introduced parametric insurance for banana and plantain farmers, which provides rapid financial support following extreme weather events,” she explained.
However, she cautioned that Saint Lucia cannot shoulder the burden alone.
“Saint Lucia is currently the only country in the OECS with this type of insurance mechanism specifically designed for our farmers, but this on its own is not sustainable for the long term.”
According to the minister, expanding such mechanisms across the Caribbean could help governments better manage disasters without overwhelming national budgets.
“This initiative demonstrates the potential for regional risk-sharing mechanisms that could be expanded across Caribbean states, allowing governments to better manage climate shocks without placing excessive strain on national budgets,” she said.
Jawahir reminded delegates that Caribbean countries face severe natural hazards that regularly disrupt economic stability and agricultural production.
“My colleagues from Dominica, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines are here and might agree that this is a key area we need strengthened because of how prone we are to natural disasters including hurricanes,” she stated.
“Dominica recently lost about 225 percent of its GDP because of Hurricane Maria. St. Vincent had a volcano erupt after being dormant for decades. St. Kitts often faces severe droughts, and Saint Lucia is no exception.”
“The risk is great, but what can be even greater is your support.”
Jawahir also highlighted the region’s ongoing efforts to reduce its dependence on imported food, noting that greater cooperation across sectors will be required to achieve that goal.
“Our bold CARICOM agenda and our commitment to reduce regional food insecurity and strengthen domestic and regional food production can be achieved,” she said.
“But this goal requires coordinated action across agriculture, trade, transport and investment policies throughout the region.”
She added that research and innovation must play a central role in transforming Caribbean agriculture.
“Within the OECS we have the FAST strategy, but at the center of this transformation must be research, innovation and technology development,” Jawahir explained.
In that regard, she emphasized the importance of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute.
“This is where the role of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute, CARDI, becomes critical,” she said.
“As we confront climate change, emerging pests and diseases and the need for improved crop varieties and sustainable production systems, CARDI must play a redefined and strengthened role in regional agricultural research and innovation.”
Jawahir concluded by urging greater regional and international backing for agricultural research institutions that support food security across the Caribbean.
“However, this will require greater regional and international support for organizations like CARDI,” she stated.