Faced with mounting threats to regional food security and a rapidly aging farming population, Mr. Gregg Rawlins, Representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to the OECS and Eastern Caribbean States, delivered a call to action to over 20 young farmers and rural women from the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS).
He appealed for an urgent revival of youth-led agricultural organizations and pledged IICA’s full backing to shape a new, resilient generation of Caribbean agri-leaders ready to confront the challenges of the future.
Speaking at the close of a four-day study mission to IICA headquarters in Costa Rica where participants engaged in intensive visits to farms and research institutions, including the renowned Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE), Rawlins did not mince words about the urgency of youth involvement in agriculture.
“IICA will lead the formation of a Caribbean youth agricultural movement through national chapters. We must build back strong, youth-led organizations in every OECS member state,” Rawlins declared, noting that while countries like Dominica, Saint Lucia, and Antigua and Barbuda have active groups, much of the region remains unorganized and underserved.
The study tour, organized in partnership with the OECS Commission and IICA, was more than a developmental exercise; it was a strategic investment in the future food security of the Eastern Caribbean. As climate change, rising food import bills, and global supply chain disruptions threaten the region’s ability to feed itself, empowering a new generation of agricultural leaders is not just timely but is essential.
Rawlins emphasized that the experiences gained by the young participants through exposure to advanced practices in livestock and vegetable farming, agribusiness, and sustainable land use are vital for modernizing local food systems.
“This tour is a first step in building a stronger, more self-reliant agricultural sector in the OECS. By equipping you the young farmers with practical knowledge and global perspectives, we are strengthening the region’s food security and resilience from the ground up.”
The IICA official went beyond rhetoric, committing the organization’s technical specialists in each of the six IICA-member OECS countries to work directly with young people to revive or establish national youth agricultural organizations.
He noted the importance and strength of national bodies for elevating the voices and needs of young farmers across the region and influencing national and regional policy.
“We believe that if we have strong youth organizations, it positions you better to make the case for what you need and to serve your communities. We are committed to doing more and doing it now.”
Recognizing the value of the study mission experience, Rawlins proposed a concrete next step; the rollout of national-level workshops led by the returning youth to share their insights and mobilize local peers.
“When you go back, there should be workshops to share your experiences, to start building those national organizations where they don’t exist, and to grow them where they do. This is not just about what happened here; it’s about what happens next.”
He also revealed IICA’s intention to draft immediate project proposals based on the outcomes of the week’s discussions, aiming to secure funding and support for continued youth engagement.
He emphasized that the responsibility for transforming agriculture in the Eastern Caribbean does not rest solely with institutions like IICA or the OECS.
“It is not just IICA, the OECS, or the Ministers. It is a shared responsibility. You as young people must demonstrate your commitment and willingness to sacrifice and engage yourselves meaningfully in this sector. We are here to meet you halfway, but you must also create the space through your actions.”
Despite the limitations of available resources, Rawlins made it clear that IICA remains unwavering in its commitment to youth through internships, training, technical assistance, and ongoing support.
“We intend to use every resource we have to empower you, the youth of the OECS. If we are going to get results, we must act now, and we must act together.”
