Permanent Secretaries in Agriculture Ministries across the OECS review ways to combat challenges

Permanent Secretaries from across the organization of Eastern Caribbean States have been meeting in Dominica over the last couple days in urgent talks to review the agricultural plan of action to combat challenges facing the agriculture sector in Dominica and the OECS.
Permanent Secretary in Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture Harold Guiste says there are several challenges facing the agriculture sector, some of which are resources, a high food import bill, and climate change.

Meantime, Dr E Katerina Derinic of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, says the food import bill for the countries within the region is much too high, and efforts must be made as to how best this food import bill can be reduced. 

Dr E Katerina Derinic of the Food & Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
 
And Program Officer for Agriculture at the OECS Commission, George Alsie, says one of the ways of getting the message out to farmers and stakeholders, is through a series of consultations among regional member states. According to him, the region would certainly have to comply with international food safety standards. 

​Program Officer for Agriculture at the OECS Commission George Alsie