Regional Workshop on Agricultural Data and Food Security by Brent Simon

Saint Lucia – The Regional Workshop on the Role of Agricultural and Fisheries Censuses in Agriculture Development Planning and Food Security took place from February 25 to 27 at the Bay Gardens Hotel in Saint Lucia. The event brought together key stakeholders from the agricultural sectors across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), including representatives from the FAO, CARICOM, and Spain’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

The workshop was designed to address the pressing need for reliable agricultural data in the OECS, a region that faces significant challenges due to its small size, economic vulnerability, and dependence on food imports. Participants engaged in discussions about best practices in agricultural data collection, with a particular focus on the importance of agricultural and fisheries censuses as tools for decision making and sustainable development.

The workshop also explored Spain’s experience in agricultural statistics, with presentations from Spanish officials highlighting the country’s comprehensive data collection methodologies. Participants analyzed how similar approaches could be adapted to the OECS context to enhance regional food security and support coordinated collaboration in achieving the OECS Food and Agricultural Systems Transformation (FAST) Strategy goals.

A major highlight of the event was the role-playing-exercise, in which the attendees engaged in hands-on simulations of data collection, analysis, and policy implementation. This practical session reinforced the importance of accurate, timely, and accessible agricultural data in driving informed decision making. Dr. Rickaille was able to show the attendees by demonstration, how much information gleaned even with the limited data available in the region.  Additionally, both Mr. Hilroy Simon/Senior Fisheries Officer and Mr. Roshan Anthony/Chief Statistician also made presentations on behalf of Antigua and Barbuda.

The three-day seminar concluded with a commitment from participants to enhance data management in their respective countries, ensuring that evidence –based policies drive sustainable agricultural development in the region. Their contributions will undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on the strategic direction of agricultural data governance within the OECS.