Regional Seminar on the Inclusiveness of Social Protection Systems in the Agricultural and Fisheries Sector by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

Under the auspices of the OECS and EU-CaN Commissions a three-day Regional Seminar on the Inclusiveness of Social Protection Systems in the Agricultural and Fisheries Sector is being held in Antigua and Barbuda.  Commencing from today until 21^st May at the Verandah Hotel this forum brought together participants from Independent OECS states and CARICOM Countries such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.  Additionally, International Organizations (FAO, ILO, WFP) Caribbean Regional Institutions (IICA represented from three countries), Spanish Institutions (INJUVE, AGAPA), Caribbean Civil Society (ABAFY, Helen’s Daughters, NAYA, SLAFY) are also represented.

The general objective for the seminar is to foster dialogue, share practices, and promote collaborative efforts among stakeholders to improve the inclusiveness and effectiveness of social protection systems in the Agricultural and Fisheries sector.

According to the organizers, this seminar aims to explore strategies to support the transition from the informal to the formal economy in the agricultural and fisheries sector by identifying challenges and issuing key recommendations by enhancing coordination among relevant stakeholders, including government, civil society organizations, and international organizations.

As we are aware that the agriculture and fishing sectors in the region suffer from high degree of informality and seasonality in their working conditions, which particularly affect women, youth and other vulnerable groups. Informality limits access to social protection, leaving many workers and their families without essential rights, benefits, and safety nets. This challenge is even more acute in rural areas and among the self-employed, where lower productivity and irregular employment further reduce coverage. As a result, social protection systems struggle to reach those most in need, weakening their ability to prevent poverty, vulnerability, and social exclusion.

Notably, social protection is a universal human right and an economic and social necessity for development and progress. This rights-based approach underscores the need to ensure effective measures, especially for the most vulnerable groups, and reinforces the role of social protection as an indispensable tool. By helping communities cope with crises and shocks, investing in their health and education, and secure employment, social protection plays a vital role in alleviating poverty and promoting inclusion. Social protection is a vital tool for accelerating progress towards the globally agreed Sustainable Development Goals.

Since the Eastern Caribbean region is affected by economic volatility, natural disasters and the impacts of climate change. In this context, social protection systems have become essential tools for accelerating progress on multiple fronts: food and nutrition security, agricultural development, rural poverty reduction and resilience building.

Within the EU-CaN/Nourishing Futures Together Project the main stakeholders that would be involved includes National and governmental institutions, NGOs, Regional institutions, EU Member States and small producers such as fisher folk, agro-processors, cooperatives/producer organizations with special consideration for youth, women and other vulnerable groups. Within the project areas that fall in the context of High Food insecurity in the region, the scope of the project (priority countries), strategic orientation/main principles, project objectivities and priority areas will address three components (social protection, agriculture and Nutrition) and the seven crosscutting issues (1. Environmental Protection and Climate Change, 2, Gender Equality and Empowerment of women and girls, 3. Human rights, 4. Disability, 5. Democracy, 6. Conflict Sensitivity, peace and resilience 7. Disaster Risk Reduction) would be addressed.

Over the next two days it is anticipated that from this seminar through discussion, the exchange of best practices and experiences it is hopeful that some applicable solutions, mitigate and adaptive measures could be implemented where necessary throughout the region in regard to all aspects of social protection.