FAO’s Sub-Regional Centre for the Caribbean (SLC) is hosting a Two-Day Regional Consultation on Sustainable Crop Production Intensification (SCPI) in the Caribbean from 4-5 October 2012. The objectives of the consultation are to:

1. introduce FAO’s ‘Save and Grow’ as the underpinning mechanism for SCPI
2. present the findings of a recent study that collated information on sustainable crop production practices in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, St. Kitts/Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada and St. Lucia.
3. bring together relevant stakeholders and support agencies in order to promote the use of the some of the ‘tried-and-tested’ methods in pilots across the region

The study referred to in (2) was carried out by the Caribbean Agricultural Development and Research Institute (CARDI) on FAO’s behalf. It aimed to identify and document sustainable crop production methods in order to make them available to the wider agricultural community in the Region. This is in keeping with SCPI’s objective of increasing crop production per unit area, taking into consideration all relevant factors affecting productivity and sustainability, including economic, environmental, social and political. With a particular focus on environmental sustainability through an ecosystem approach, SCPI aims to maximize options for crop production intensification through the management of biodiversity and ecosystem services. SCPI is also very much in keeping with FAO’s support to the promotion of food and nutrition security in the Caribbean.

One participant from each of the 13 English-speaking Caribbean Countries as well as Haiti has been invited to participate in the Consultation. The nominee will be expected to fully participate in, and contribute constructively to, the deliberations of the Consultation. In addition, s/he will be required, upon returning home, to share the outcomes with her/his counterparts and supervisors for their buy-in and support with the implementation of actions agreed to at the Consultation. Regional partners invited to participate include the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS), Caribbean Farmers’ Network (CaFAN), Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), and CAribbean netWork for Agroecology and Innovation (CAWAI), among others.

The Consultation will look at four specific areas of sustainable farmer practices:

1. Crops and Varieties / Plant Genetic Resources
2. Farming Systems
3. Land and Water Management
4. Crop and Pest Management

Participants will then review, in groups, the current or proposed practices in order to identify gaps and solutions as well as the necessary resources. This information will be used in a Panel Discussion on Resource Mobilization. It is anticipated that proposed activities will be supported under some of the existing projects, or under new projects to be developed and funded by interested bilateral and multilateral development partners.

The outcomes of the Consultation are expected to be as follows:

1. ‘Save and Grow’ promoted in the Caribbean
2. Sustainable practices and agro-ecological innovations shared with stakeholders
3. Gaps and possible solutions identified for testing:
   a.   In-country projects specified / agreed upon
   b.   Resources necessary established
   c.    Possible funding sources identified
4. Outcomes of Consultation shared (by participants) with supervisors /counterparts for their buy-in/support with regard to implementation of agreed actions

A provisional Agenda for the Regional Consultation can be made available on request.

Facilitators:
Vyjayanthi Lopez, Plant Production and Protection Officer, SLC ([email protected])  
Lystra Fletcher-Paul, Land and Water Management Officer, SLC and FAO Representative Guyana ([email protected])