Jamaica and Barbados agree to youth agriculture exchange

Jamaica and Barbados have agreed to implement a joint youth exchange programme under the Regional Youth in Agriculture Strategy to strengthen cooperation in livestock and crop production.

The initiative, which is expected to begin by the fourth quarter of the 2025-2026 financial year, will expose young people to modern technologies and climate-smart practices, supporting the region’s efforts to build a skilled network of young farmers, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining said in a release.

“Barbados’ efforts to scale regional livestock production align closely with Jamaica’s own vision for growth,” said Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green. “We are moving decisively to strengthen our cattle and small ruminant base, improve breeding stock and protect our genetic lines.”

Earlier this year, Green announced a new era of research and innovation aimed at improving genetic resources, building resilience against disease and modernising breeding and pasture systems. Already, national breeding programmes are integrating improved genetics, embryo transfer and artificial insemination technologies to enhance herd quality and output, according to the ministry.

These advancements complement Barbados’s leadership with the Black Belly Sheep, a breed native to the island and recognised across the Caribbean for its adaptability, meat quality and economic potential, the ministry said.

“I am happy that, together with Minister Weir from Barbados, we are playing a role in advancing our region’s collective drive toward greater self-sufficiency and food security,” Green added.

His comments followed bilateral talks at the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA 2025) held in St Kitts and Nevis from September 29 to October 4. Discussions focused on strengthening the region’s small ruminant industry, including the expansion of the Black Belly Sheep programme being driven by Barbados.

Concurrently, Jamaica will host the 20th session of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture next year. Green said the staging “will provide a tremendous opportunity for us to translate some of the commitments made this year into real actions and to follow up by monitoring how far we have come over the next year.”