‘Real possibility’ of reducing costly food import bill by 2025- President Ali

Caribbean leaders seem to be committed to the task of slashing the region’s hefty US$6 billion annual food import bill by 25 per cent by 2025 and Guyana’s President Dr. Irfaan Ali said there is a “real possibility” that the ambitious target will be achieved.

“Based on our original targets I believe we are doing well and we have the real possibility of meeting those targets,” Dr. Ali said in response to questions posed at the closing press conference of the 45th Regular Conference of CARICOM Heads of Government.

He, however, acknowledged that the leaders still have to resolve existing trade barriers and comprehensively solve food storage and transportation woes.

Even so, he was optimistic that the region is doing well with growing more food and trading among member states.

This optimism was shared by the Dominican Prime Minister and Chairman of CARICOM, Roosevelt Skerrit.

He said food security was one of the areas addressed as CARICOM leaders gathered in Port of Spain, Trinidad, for this annual meeting over the past few days.

“It is truly a united front in seeking to improve and improve the production of agri produce in CARICOM,” Prime Minister Skerrit said.

He, however, said that Caribbean people must respond to the plans and efforts the Heads of Government are pushing.

“…at the end of the day, we have to eat what we produce.

“So the power really is not really in the hands of the government, the power really in reducing the food import bill is in the hands of the people,” he said.

Earlier that day, United States Secretary of State, Antony Blinken told the Heads of Government that the Biden administration is pledging US$5.5 million (or about GY $1.1 billion) in funding to help small farmers in the Caribbean.

This is expected to help CARICOM’s food security agenda.

Food insecurity has been a pressing issue for CARICOM and it has taken up much of the discussions during the general meeting. It was also raised by the CARICOM caucus at the IX Summit of the Americas, prompting several engagements with the US since.

As a matter of fact, Guyana’s President, Dr Irfaan Ali, who is the lead Head of Government for agriculture in CARICOM, on Tuesday presented a detailed report to Heads of State titled ‘Advancing the CARICOM Agri-Food System Agenda-Prioritizing Regional Food and Nutrition Security.’

And as part of his presentation, he highlighted the urgent need for more investments in infrastructure to support food production and building storage capacity.