Eastern Caribbean Discusses Regional Approach to Agriculture

Castries, August 4, 2014 (PL).- President of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Roosevelt Skerrit, said the sub-region has the capacity to be supplied of food with local production.

At a press conference with farmers and experts from the area Skerrit, who is Prime Minister of Dominica, also urged better management of land and its use to achieve sustainable agricultural production in this area of the Caribbean.

However, he admitted that there are a number of issues to be reviewed around food security within the OECS.

"We have an important relation to labor in agriculture-based countries challenge", he said.

In this regard, Skerrit called to work to consume more locally produced food which in his opinion will also help to maintain revenues in the region, which has substantial capacity for agriculture, he remaked.

The OECS countries recently agreed to insist on the development of the sector as an obvious solution to address high food import bills and food security in the area.

Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Granada, St. Lucia, St. Kitts and Nevis and Montserrat are full members of this regional organization that promotes technical cooperation and sustainable development, while Anguilla and British Virgin Islands serve as partners.