1. GECAFS Research in the Caribbean

2. Regional Characteristics Many small island states Diverse cultures, environments and food provision systems Great dependence on food imports (~ 80%) Reliance on export crops and tourism to provide revenue Susceptibility to weather extremes Susceptibility to changes in preferential export markets Weak regional-level institutional connectivity Research needed at both “local” and “regional” levels

3. Priority Policy Goals for CARICOM Food security Enhancing productivity and international competitiveness in agriculture Food safety Rural employment Sustainability of the food/agricultural sector and rural communities How will GEC interact with these goals? GECAFS Research in the Caribbean

4. Target:Food systems in resource-poor communities based on fishing and locally-produced food crops Aim: To reduce food system vulnerability at local level Caribbean Food Systems Project Local Level Research Specific Qs: Q1: How would changes in climate variability, water availability and sea-level affect local food systems? Q2: How would national and regional policy instruments best be adjusted to enhance adaptation options? Q3: How would these strategies alter the reliance on imported commodities and affect livelihoods?

5. Target:Caribbean regional food security Aim:To develop regional-level strategies to reduce the additional complications GEC would bring to regional food security, given changing preferential export markets. Caribbean Food Systems Project Regional Level Research Specific Qs: Q1: How might GEC alter agricultural revenues & destabilise the region’s food system? Q2: To what extent would improving inter- island trade enhance food system resilience? Q3: How would enhanced regional trade impact enhance national economic development & natural resource conservation?

6. Inventory of relevant national and regional research relevant to GECAFS goals Synthesis & assessment of multiple stresses on Caribbean Food Systems  Overview and Country Reports Characterisation of Case Study Food Provision Systems Prototype Models of Caribbean Food Provision (including Vulnerability & Impacts, Adaptation, Feedbacks) Assessment of further information needs & Phase III Proposal Prototype GECAFS scenarios for Caribbean Caribbean Research 2005 – 06