Universities in Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago, with faculties responsible for agriculture and or food, have agreed to partner with CARICOM countries to support reductions in the region's food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025.
The Anton de Kom University of Suriname is to join the initiative.
CARICOM leaders have made the reduction in the food import bill, estimated at billions of US dollars, a major priority. The initiative is being led by Guyana's President Dr. Irfaan Ali, who has lead responsibility for Agriculture in the quasi CARICOM cabinet.
During a virtual meeting hosted by the Faculty of Food and Agriculture of the St. Augustine campus of the University of the West Indies, the universities noted that regional annual food imports amounted to US$4.3 billion, for the period 2018-2020, excluding Haiti.
They noted that despite the fact that the Ministerial Task Force at its recent meeting had reported that the region had met 57 per cent of the 25 per cent targeted reduction in food imports, significant efforts remain.
The universities said with their collective human capital, sources of innovation and hubs for technological and knowledge development, a powerful contribution can be expected.
Following discussions, a working memorandum of understanding is expected to be in place by June.
