Caribbean Week of Agriculture takes center stage in the Bahamas this week

The Caribbean Farmer of the Year will be announced on Tuesday during the annual Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) in the Bahamas from October 9 to 13.

Uniting Under “Accelerating Vision 20 by 2025”

This year, the CWA adopts the theme “Accelerating Vision 20 by 2025”, initiating a week brimming with seminars, expositions, and a trade show.

These events aim to shed light on the significant role of agriculture and rural life in contributing to the economic, social, and environmental stability of Member States in the region.

A forum for decision-makers and stakeholders

CWA serves as a crucial convergence point for prominent decision-makers from both public and private sectors.

It offers a platform where significant stakeholders in agriculture and related sectors can come together to formulate a unified vision for the future of agriculture and the advancement of rural life.

A tradition of focus on agriculture

Since its inception in 1999 in Trinidad and Tobago, the CWA, celebrating its 17th iteration, has consistently emphasized the indispensability of agriculture and rural living.

Conceived by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the CWA has been a pivotal event promoting agriculture and rural life as central to regional integration initiatives.

Strategic objectives for sustainable development

The week-long celebration is designed to enlighten key decision-makers and major stakeholders about the importance of agriculture, facilitating dialogues aimed at repositioning agriculture and enhancing rural life.

These objectives are pivotal for the economic, social, and environmental stabilization of the region.

The premier agricultural event in the Caribbean

Recognized as the foremost event on the Caribbean’s agricultural calendar, the CWA is convened under the Alliance for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and the Rural Milieu (‘The Alliance’).

Since its inaugural meeting in 1998, the Alliance has been collaboratively supported by IICA and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat.

A growing alliance for agriculture

In 2002, the partnership expanded with the joining of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

Together with IICA and CARICOM, these organizations form a core group functioning as the secretariat of The Alliance. This collaborative group has been pivotal in organizing and managing the numerous meetings and activities under the CWA since its inception.

In 2003, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) joined as a significant partner and sponsor, further bolstering the CWA’s initiatives and activities.

This growing alliance underscores the collective commitment to fostering the development and sustainability of agriculture and rural life in the Caribbean region.