Caribbean agriculture ministers have proposed the establishment of an agri fund to help to build capacity within the region.

The suggestion was among a raft of measures agreed on during recent meetings of the Alliance of Regional Agriculture Ministers, at the eighth Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Kingstown, St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Jamaica's Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, who chairs the alliance, says the proposals have been forwarded to the Council for Trade and Economic Development to be passed on the heads of government in the region for their consideration and implementation.

"We believe that agriculture has been talked about, but in too many cases, it has not been given appropriate support through financing," Tufton said.

Repositioning the sector

He said his Caribbean colleagues believe that a regional agriculture capacity-building fund, consistent with World Trade Organisation rules, would help to reposition the sector.

The agriculture minister said, given the recent international developments, including the United States financial meltdown, it is imperative that agriculture be viewed as a strategic move to secure the well-being of the Caribbean and to reduce the level of vulnerability.

Tufton said against this background, his colleagues want their governments to expressly commit to helping to build the sector through the recommended avenues.

Turning to the so-called Jagdeo Initiative - a regional plan aimed at strengthening agriculture - Tufton said there had been some progress. He said member countries have now been assigned specific tasks to identify the constraints to productivity and trade in the region.

Jamaica, for example is looking at the issue of marketing.

According to Tufton, the terms of reference have now been drafted and over the next six to eight months, individual countries will provide recommendations to be forwarded to the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) for implementation.

damion.mitchell@gleanerjm.com.

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