Arlington Chesney Director of Operations and Regional Integration for the Caribbean Diana Francis Regional Specialist, Policy and Trade Negotiations, Caribbean Region Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) Africa, April 2007 The Caribbean Agricultural Policy Network Context, Expectations, Experiences and Challenges

1.In 1973, the Commonwealth Caribbean Common Market (CARICOM) was established, built on (a) free trade (b) common trade policy and (c) ancillary support structures and arrangements. 2.As the leading growth industry, a common policy and regime for Agriculture was pivotal to CARICOM’s development. Between 1976 and 1996, a series of Regional Agriculture Plans were developed, each with limited success. Weak national policy integration and implementation was a major constraint. 3.By 1998, Agriculture was in Crisis. Globalisation, trade liberalisation, advances in science, technology and information communication and erosion of preferential margins significantly widened the productivity and competitiveness gap for Caribbean agri-industries. Agriculture in the Caribbean Region: the Context for CaRAPN

3.In 1999, the Alliance for the Sustainable Development of Agriculture in the Caribbean was established for regional dialogue, consensus building and commitment for action towards agricultural recovery and repositioning. Strong policies and policy harmonization were essential building blocks. 4.In 2001, CARICOM expanded to the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME), prioritising strong and binding Common Policies, in 5 key growth sectors. Agriculture was among the 5! 5.By 2003, Agriculture was back in centre-stage, with renewed attention to strengthening the regional agriculture policy environment and fundamentally new approaches to agriculture repositioning and development. 6.A platform to facilitate regional policy dialogue and agenda was urgently needed to complement the ‘Alliance’. Agriculture in the Caribbean Region: the Context for CaRAPN

The Alliance Components CAFY networking among Agri-Youth National Chapters of Alliance and CaRAPN Nodes P ROCI- CARIBE networking in R&D CABA networking among Agri- Business CACHE networking in Ag- Education CANROP networking among rural women producers networking among Agri- Ministers Agriculture Ministers’ Forum CaRAPN networking among policy makers

Planners/Officials RTP-CLA Cmtee of Lead Agencies CaRAPN CPCG Agricultural Institutions (Regional & Hemispheric) Agriculture Databases: CAMID, SIDALC, INFO-AGRO, AGROSALUD 2000 etc A LLIANCE COTED Secretariat: CCS, IICA, FAO Hemispheric Ministers of Agriculture 2001,2003,2005 Conference of Heads of Governments of the Caribbean Bavaro Declaration & Plan Agro Summit of the Americas Presidents and Heads of Government CaRAPN Relationship The Alliance Components

Major Services and Results Conceptualizing, developing and managing the implementation of the regional effort for Repositioning agriculture – The Jagdeo Initiative Policy Formulation Policy Workshops Identifying Key Binding Constraints to agriculture, proposing Interventions to address them, reviewing performance indicators to measure impact, and developing a M&E Agricultural Information System. Assessing potential investment opportunities for the domestic food and agriculture industry; documenting Agricultural Policy (Inventory); and critical analysis of food policy issues for repositioning. Studies Promote New Agriculture Sensitizing stakeholders on scope, developments and opportunities in ‘new’ agriculture via website & newsletter

On The Jagdeo Initiative, MEAgrISys Project, Caribbean Week of Agriculture Regional Programmes Forum the virtual ‘chat’ room of the network Weekly CaRAPN otes, Quote of the Week Latest/ Upcoming Events, Hot Off the Press News Members services About Us; Members profile; Resource Centre and document repository with all relevant and available reports on agriculture in the Caribbean ‘Virtual library’ and document repository with all relevant and available reports on agriculture in the Caribbean Links to relevant news and other networks and organizations Links

The AgroMatrix Systemic Concept Rural Territories (Lives and Livelihoods) Agri-Food Value Chain (From Farm to Table) Policy System (National and International) Strategic Objectives Sustainable Development Approach Economic (Production & Trade) I. Promote Competitive Rural Enterprises II. Forge Linkages, Integrate Chains & Enhance Productivity III. Build an Enabling Business Environment Competitiveness (Environmental) IV. Promote good environmental practices V. Promote Integrated Environmental Management VI. Build a Pro-Eco Institutional Framework Sustainability Social (Cultural & Human) VII Facilitate Improved Quality of Life and Access to Services VIII. Develop Capabilities, Expertise and Innovation IX. Promote Policies to Improve Lives and Livelihoods Equity Political (Institutional) X. Strengthen Public and Private Sector Partnerships XI. Strengthen Dialogue, Inter-relationships and Commitments XII. Promote national policies and external cooperation Governance Strategic objectives Rural Prosperity + Food Security + Positioning Sustainable Development of Agriculture and Rural Life