Over 800 Delegates From 40 Countries Participating In Caribbean Week Of Agriculture 2026 In Jamaica

By CARICOM Photos: CARICOM More than 800 delegates from 40 countries will gather in Jamaica, from 27 September – 2 October for the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture. Hosted by the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Secretariat, the Government of Jamaica and regional partners, the milestone event will be held at the Ocean Coral Spring Resort in the parish of Trelawny. CWA 2026 is being held under the theme “The New F.A.C.E. of Caribbean Food Systems“, reflecting four pillars: Food Security, Agri-Business, Climate-Smart Technologies and Export Expansion. “As we gather in Jamaica for this landmark Caribbean Week of Agriculture Twentieth Anniversary, we will be showcasing the achievements of our Region, strengthening partnerships around shared interests, exchanging technical knowledge and best practices to improve agricultural productivity, and promoting innovation and technology adoption,” said CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr. Carla Barnett in a message to mark CWA 2026. “It is anticipated that networking among stakeholders will catalyse investment opportunities that will accelerate the transformation of Caribbean food systems.” Prime Minister of Jamaica, Dr the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, will deliver the keynote address at Sunday’s opening ceremony, which follows field trips and other initial activities. The ceremony will also see the official launch of Jamaica’s National Agriculture Development Plan, and the presentation of the 2026 awards to the CARICOM Young Farmer of the Year, the CARICOM Ministers of Agriculture Farmer of the Year, and the winner of the CARICOM I AM Agriculture: Youth in Agriculture High School Video Competition. The program features more than 70 technical sessions and five high-level plenary discussions over the six days. One of the plenaries, hosted by the CARICOM Secretariat, will focus on “Transforming Regional Food Systems: A Case for Accelerating Vision 25 by 2025 + 5.” The High-Level Ministerial session aims to enhance visibility and support for national and regional implementation initiatives; deepen understanding of progress, constraints and opportunities under the Vision 25 by 2025 + 5 framework; and strengthen regional collaboration and policy coordination. Delegates to the CWA will include regional and international agriculture and fisheries ministers, policymakers, farmers, fisherfolk, private-sector representatives, researchers, development partners and youth. Alongside the sessions, the week includes field trips showcasing Jamaican production systems, technologies and agro-processing operations, an exhibition and trade show, a youth village, business-to-business opportunities and bilateral meetings. The week closes on Friday, 2 October, with the 127th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture. Transforming Caribbean Food Systems Over the six days, agriculture stakeholders will have the opportunity to strengthen collaboration, examine shared challenges and identify practical pathways for regional agricultural development. The program will place particular emphasis on: Food security and regional production: Advancing Vision 25 x 25 + 5 – the Region’s food security initiative – and strengthening the Region’s capacity to increase production and reduce dependence on food imports. Agribusiness and investment: Exploring opportunities to mobilize private-sector investment, strengthen agricultural value chains and expand market access. Climate resilience and technology: Examining climate-smart agriculture, digital agriculture, artificial intelligence and other technologies that can strengthen the resilience and competitiveness of food systems. Trade and export expansion: Addressing barriers to intra-regional trade, including shipping and logistics, sanitary and phytosanitary requirements, infrastructure and value-chain linkages. Fisheries and aquaculture: Advancing discussions on sustainable fisheries, aquaculture development and the contribution of the blue economy to regional food and economic security. Youth and women in agriculture: Highlighting the role of young people and women in driving innovation, entrepreneurship and the transformation of Caribbean food systems. Further Information Stakeholders interested in participating in the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture are encouraged to register and access the program and additional information at www.cwa2026.caricom.org. ABOUT THE CARIBBEAN WEEK OF AGRICULTURE The Caribbean Week of Agriculture is the premier event on the regional agricultural calendar. It is a roving event hosted by CARICOM Member States and Associate Members and includes seminars, key meetings, a special meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development, and an exhibition and trade show.  CWA was conceptualized by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture as a facility to place agriculture and rural life on the front bu