CaRAPN - Caribbean Regional Agriculture Policy Network

This series seeks to stimulate interest, inform and educate on issues and topics of importance to sustainable agricultural development in the Caribbean.   A common thread in almost all strategies for improving the situation in agriculture and rural areas is that of developing an entrepreneurial and small business culture. This issue focuses on 'entrepreneurship' and its role in growth and development of agriculture, rural communities and national economies. Therefore an understanding of the concept, its relationship to national growth and the role of public policy is essential.

This issue provides an introductory and exploratory journey into the development of agriculture in the context of deeper CARICOM integration. It emphasises the importance of integrating agriculture at the national and regional levels and briefly traces the history of regional cooperation in agriculture in response to external and internal influences. Part of that integrated response is the issue of 'common' agricultural policy (CAP). The nutshell looks briefly at the experiences of those regions that have attempted a CAP, particularly the European Community (EC). Lessons learnt from these experiences suggest that CARICOM needs to define its own model, scope and operational procedures for a regional policy. This regional policy must effectively tie agriculture into the regional development agenda and strategies. It must also strongly lead to a more food-secure region.

This issue discusses risk in agriculture, with special focus on the farm. It synthesises the wide body of literature and information on this critical topic into a simple form that can be more readily understood by students and young farmers. It also seeks to stimulate thinking and more concerted and collective actions among the more experienced agripreneurs and policy makers.

This issue focuses on issues relating to sustaining youth interest and activity in the 'new' agriculture, whether as policy makers, leader, development change agents and the new 'agri-preneurs'. Youth along with women, must participate fully as development proceeds. They cannot allow themselves to be marginalized; but must take a more proactive and assertive role in the social and economic development process. They are Our Hope....Our Future!

This issue focuses on issues relating to securing the future of food supplies.  An extensive body of literature exists on the topic. This nutshell provides information that can be easily understood by the general public, especially rural women producers and youth.