Dominica farmer Dywany St. John receives CARICOM Farmer of the Year 2026 award in Jamaica

Dominica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy has issued an official statement celebrating a landmark regional win for one of the nation’s homegrown agricultural leaders: Dywany St. John of the Wesley community, who has been selected as the 2026 CARICOM Minister of Agriculture Farmer of the Year. The prestigious accolade was first revealed to the public earlier this September, with the formal presentation taking place Sunday, September 27 during the opening proceedings of the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, hosted this year in Trelawny, Jamaica. This regional distinction is far more than a personal honor: it stands as a formal recognition of St. John’s decades of sustained work and impactful contributions to Caribbean agriculture, marking a watershed achievement for both the farmer himself and Dominica’s entire agricultural sector. In its official announcement, the ministry emphasized that the award is a testament to St. John’s unwavering commitment and relentless dedication to the farming profession. Beyond highlighting individual excellence, the recognition also draws much-needed attention to the critical role that small-scale and local farmers play across the Caribbean: bolstering national and regional food security, and driving the transition toward more sustainable agricultural practices that benefit both communities and ecosystems. St. John’s win also shines a well-deserved spotlight on his home community of Wesley, underscoring how local farming expertise and grassroots effort shape the broader regional agricultural landscape. The ministry did not stop at honoring St. John alone, also extending formal commendations to the team that has supported his work: Dominica’s Division of Agriculture and the Northeast Extension Team, made up of agricultural professionals Egbert Nelson, Adina James, and Braun Phillip. Ministry officials closed their statement by reiterating their congratulations to St. John for earning this high-profile regional honor, and shared their excitement to see him continue contributing to the ongoing growth and development of Dominica’s agricultural sector in the years ahead.