PRESS RELEASE – IICA Antigua and Barbuda Reports on its 2023 Annual Accountability Seminar

Antigua and Barbuda, September 24, 2024 (IICA). The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Delegation in Antigua and Barbuda held its national accountability seminar on September 24th at the Department of Environment Conference Room in St. John’s. This annual event provides IICA with the opportunity to present its achievements for the preceding year. An opportunity is provided also for its partners and beneficiaries to discuss and identify strategic actions and new demands for short to medium term actions.

Over thirty (30) participants attended the event chaired by Director of Agriculture, Gregory Bailey, and featured by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Lands and the Blue Economy Walter Christopher.

In his delivery, Thomas commended IICA for its response to the government request to support the rehabilitation of the Antigua Black Pineapple and made special mention to the support towards rapid propagation of tissue cultured pineapples for rapid multiplication which will be eventually be distributed to beneficiary farmers.

In his remarks, the newly appointed Minister of Agriculture the Hon. Anthony Smith acknowledged the significant contributions IICA have made through their technical cooperation to improved food and nutrition security given the increase in food prices.

The ECS Representative Mr. Gregg Rawlins during his speech emphasized that “there is a need to embrace approaches at the OECS level which complement and support actions at the national level. In this regard, there is a need to continue to assign high priority to the implementation of the OECS Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Strategy with its current priority initiatives which include the engagement of youth in agriculture, initiatives to facilitate trade through the adoption of appropriate SPS systems and logistics, development of a programme to strengthen resilience in the agricultural sector in the face of climate change and the development of priority value chains at the OECS level with significant private sector involvement through investment and other means”.

National Specialist in the IICA Delegation in Antigua and Barbuda, Craig Thomas, gave a brief background on the Institute, its mandate and its technical areas of focus as well as results of the technical cooperation and actions for completion in 2023. Then he presented the 2023 report and Proposed 2024 Work Plan for the IICA Delegation in Antigua and Barbuda highlighting the two major upcoming projects which will focus on the rehabilitation of the Antigua Black Pineapple and the Next Gen Sweet Potato project.

He also recognized the collaborating partners, CARDI, FAO and other key institutions, that contributed to the Institute’s achievements during 2023. Climate change, food security, women and youth, SME’s support, strategic plans and policies were highlighted as areas in which IICA will look to continued support.

The ECS Representative also took the opportunity to deliver a copy of the 2023 annual report to the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, Permanent Secretary, Director of Agriculture and the Chinese Mission.