Carib Scope

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  • CABINET NOTES: Wednesday August 26, 2026

    CABINET NOTES: Wednesday August 26, 2026

    On Wednesday, August 26, 2026, the Cabinet of Antigua and Barbuda convened its weekly plenary session, opening with a devotional meditation led by a local pastor. Drawing from passages in the Book of Isaiah, the pastor centered his message on themes of divine constancy, national purpose, and collective dependence on wisdom beyond human capacity. He encouraged the Cabinet to seek spiritual guidance in deliberating on matters of national importance, prayed that members would receive wisdom to make just decisions, courage to confront crises, and compassion to prioritize public welfare, and called on all Antiguans and Barbudans to embrace values of unity, forgiveness, respect, and mutual care to build a peaceful, prosperous shared society. The devotional concluded with a dedication of the national government and its people to divine stewardship.

    Following the opening meditation, the Cabinet advanced a series of critical policy and operational agenda items, starting with a renewed push for national food security. Facing persistent risks of prolonged dry seasons and erratic rainfall patterns driven by climate volatility, the administration directed the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy to drastically scale up efforts to build and rehabilitate agricultural water infrastructure, including dams, retention ponds, and other rainwater catchment systems. Minister Anthony Smith Jr. reported that his team had already begun pre-positioning work to capture forecasted rainfall, but the Cabinet called for accelerated expansion of the program to create a robust, interconnected national network of water storage for agricultural use.

    The directive builds on an existing whole-of-government food security strategy that has already delivered tangible progress: earlier in 2026, 150 acres of underutilized public farmland were repossessed, with 75 acres allocated specifically to new youth and women producers to bring idle acreage back into productive use. Additional ongoing initiatives include the operation of a new Tissue Culture Laboratory in Bethesda, which produces disease-free, high-yield planting stock for local farmers, and technical partnerships with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) to develop climate-resilient crop varieties, strengthen seed security, and train producers in sustainable farming practices. Cabinet emphasized that all these efforts must ultimately result in greater volumes of affordable, locally produced food reaching domestic consumers, hotels, and restaurants, cutting the nation’s reliance on costly food imports and strengthening resilience against global supply chain disruptions.

    A second key agenda item focused on finalizing security preparations for the 2026 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), which Antigua and Barbuda is scheduled to host. Senior leadership from the Royal Police Force of Antigua and Barbuda and the Antigua and Barbuda Defence Force delivered a comprehensive joint briefing on the multi-layered security framework under development, which brings together national border security agencies, law enforcement, and defense assets in a coordinated, multi-agency approach supported by regional and international partners. Preparations cover not only protection for the summit venue and visiting delegates but also enhanced border and airport security, public safety protocols, cybersecurity defenses, and critical infrastructure protection, with deliberate planning to minimize disruptions to daily life for local residents and businesses. Cabinet expressed satisfaction with progress to date, called for continued joint training, simulation exercises, and readiness drills ahead of the summit, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing all necessary resources for a safe, successful event.

    In a related development aligned with CHOGM’s people-focused agenda, a delegation from the CHOGM 2026 People’s Forum and the Commonwealth Foundation presented a proposal to accelerate the growth of Antigua and Barbuda’s creative economy. The delegation, which included Commonwealth Foundation Director-General Razmi Farook and local People’s Forum leadership, outlined the significant untapped potential of the creative sector, particularly to create jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities for the nation’s youth. While Antigua and Barbuda already has a vibrant informal creative scene spanning music, film, visual arts, festivals, and performing arts, presenters noted that targeted policy interventions—including formalization of business registration, updated legislation, targeted incentives, improved data collection, and institutional support—could grow the sector’s contribution to GDP, mirroring success stories in other Caribbean nations. Jamaica’s creative economy contributes an estimated 5% of national GDP after formalization reforms, while the Dominican Republic’s targeted film industry incentives have driven massive expansion in local and international production. The delegation also highlighted opportunities to integrate creative industries with Antigua and Barbuda’s core tourism sector, including luxury tourism packages centered on music and arts experiences that attract international talent and generate additional economic activity. A White Paper and formal implementation roadmap for the sector is currently under development, and Cabinet welcomed the initiative, expressing strong interest in technical assistance from the Commonwealth Foundation to update national creative policies and build out a supportive legislative framework.

    Turning to public sector labor issues, the Cabinet initiated a review of remuneration for public service heavy-duty equipment operators, a role critical to the delivery of the nation’s infrastructure development and maintenance programs. The work of these operators requires specialized training, advanced technical skill, experience, and carries significant responsibility operating expensive, high-risk machinery. After receiving a briefing on current pay rates and factors influencing the role—including prevailing market rates in the private sector, working conditions, and varying skill levels across job classifications—Cabinet agreed that a full, detailed review was warranted to ensure pay reflects the demands of the role while aligning with the government’s broader public sector wage structure and fiscal sustainability commitments. A dedicated subcommittee, comprising the Minister and Junior Minister of Works, the Attorney General, and the Minister for Social Transformation, was established to lead the review. The subcommittee will compare public sector pay rates to private sector comparables, evaluate job classifications and requirements, and consult with the recognized trade union representing operators to incorporate worker perspectives into final recommendations. Cabinet emphasized that no final decision on pay adjustments will be made until the subcommittee’s work is complete, and the government remains committed to balancing fair compensation for public workers with responsible fiscal management.

    In infrastructure and security news, Cabinet welcomed upgrades to emergency response and aviation security capabilities at V.C. Bird International Airport, Antigua and Barbuda’s primary international gateway and critical economic hub for the nation’s tourism sector. Long-term partner Allen & Co. has delivered two new dedicated emergency response vehicles to support airport fire and medical teams, building on a history of partnership that includes a prior donation of a Jaws of Life rescue tool. The company also announced a new donation of an XRC 60-40 X-ray screening machine to enhance the airport’s aviation security screening capabilities. Allen & Co. outlined a commitment to long-term partnership beyond equipment delivery, including targeted training for operators, ongoing maintenance support, and access to replacement parts— a critical consideration for small island developing states facing unique logistics and sustainability challenges. Cabinet welcomed the partnership, emphasized that equipment investment must be paired with consistent training and maintenance to deliver long-term value, and commended airport personnel for their daily work to maintain safe, efficient operations. The government reaffirmed its commitment to ongoing investment in the airport’s safety and security capabilities to meet evolving international standards and support the nation’s economic growth.

    Finally, Cabinet received an update on progress to implement a regional Passenger Name Record (PNR) framework to strengthen border security and combat transnational crime, with support from the CARICOM Implementation Agency for Crime and Security (CARICOM IMPACS). Antigua and Barbuda has already enacted national PNR legislation, a step CARICOM IMPACS has recognized as a critical milestone for both national and regional security. Under the proposed arrangement, Antigua and Barbuda will gain access to CARICOM’s existing regional PNR platform, which enables secure collection, processing, and analysis of passenger data to identify high-risk travelers, while adhering to strict national data protection and privacy requirements. The partnership will also support the establishment of a national Passenger Information Unit (PIU), with CARICOM IMPACS providing support for policy development, operational protocols, and specialized training for PIU officers in risk analysis, data protection, and intelligence development. A regional approach allows Antigua and Barbuda to leverage existing infrastructure and expertise, achieving significant cost savings compared to developing and maintaining a standalone national system. Cabinet approved the arrangement, clearing the way for final implementation planning and timeline development, as part of the government’s broader efforts to modernize border management and deepen regional security cooperation.

  • DOMLEC scholarship programme marks 40 years with four new recipients

    DOMLEC scholarship programme marks 40 years with four new recipients

    Dominica’s primary electricity utility, Dominica Electricity Services Ltd. (DOMLEC), has celebrated a major milestone for its flagship community education initiative — 40 years of supporting secondary school students — by awarding four new five-year scholarships to incoming students across the island.

    The 2026 scholarship presentation ceremony took place on Thursday, August 27, at DOMLEC’s conference room located within its Engineering, Transmission and Distribution complex in Fond Colé, bringing together company leadership, new recipients and a former beneficiary to mark the occasion. This year’s awardees are four students from the general public of Dominica: Merjhana Guiste, who will enroll at Portsmouth Secondary School; Daville Alexander and Kira Bertrand, both set to attend Dominica Grammar School; and Kaley Fabien, who will pursue studies at Arthur Waldron SDA Academy. In a heartfelt symbolic gesture, Fabien gifted DOMLEC an original piece of artwork illustrating her vision for a renewable energy-powered future for the country.

    Unlike one-off education grants, DOMLEC’s scholarship programme provides sustained financial support for up to five years of secondary education, contingent on recipients maintaining solid academic performance, avoiding grade retention and submitting end-of-term report cards each academic year. Each year, scholars must also return their program-provided textbooks in good condition at the close of the school year. The assistance covers core secondary education expenses including textbooks, school supplies, examination fees and daily transportation, easing the financial burden on recipient families.

    From its launch four decades ago, the programme has extended support to two groups: children of DOMLEC employees and qualifying students from the wider Dominican community. This year marks a rare cycle where all four available awards went to community candidates outside of the company’s employee network.

    Speaking at the award ceremony, DOMLEC Human Resources and Administration Manager Claudia Brumant emphasized that the programme’s 40-year milestone stands as a tangible testament to the utility’s long-term commitment to advancing education in Dominica. Brumant offered words of encouragement to the new students, reminding them that secondary education would bring unforeseen obstacles, and that success depends on consistent dedication and resilience. “The choices we make today create the lives we live tomorrow,” she said. “In the five years of secondary school there will be days when the lessons are difficult, when hours are long and when you face challenges you don’t expect. Those moments call for a new level of dedication, commitment and perseverance.”

    DOMLEC Public Relations Officer Ayeola George explained that the programme’s financial support frees up household resources that families can redirect to other areas of child development or toward covering education costs for other siblings. George also highlighted the long-term ripple effect of the initiative, noting that a former beneficiary returned to the ceremony this year to share his journey and inspire the new cohort. “Today we had a past beneficiary return to not just share his experience but inspire a new generation of scholars,” she said. “He advised attendees that he wants to also give back and contribute positively to other youth. This most certainly is an example of the wide-reaching impact of this award.”

    That former beneficiary, LynD Letang — the son of a current DOMLEC employee who himself received support through the programme decades ago — echoed that sentiment, sharing that his experience motivated him to pay the opportunity forward by supporting other young Dominicans in their education journeys.

  • Health Minister Denies Claims Cuban Doctors Are Being Forced Out

    Health Minister Denies Claims Cuban Doctors Are Being Forced Out

    In a recent press briefing addressing widespread social media speculation, Belize’s Minister of Health and Wellness has pushed back against allegations that the country is forcibly removing Cuban medical professionals from its national health system. The controversy erupted earlier this week when opposition figure Wil Maheia claimed in a public post that personal belongings of Cuban doctors were already being packed and shipped back to Cuba, framing the movement as a stealth expulsion of the long-serving medical brigade.

    Minister Bernard, who directly called out Maheia for the claim, described the allegation as an irresponsible and out-of-context mischaracterization of a longstanding routine procedure. He explained that Cuban doctors stationed in Belize take scheduled annual vacations at staggered intervals throughout the year, and it is common practice for them to ship personal gifts and household items back to family members in Cuba during these trips. Contrary to the insinuation of incremental expulsions, Bernard emphasized that all currently serving Cuban medical professionals remain fully employed and active in clinical roles across every tier of Belize’s health system.

    The minister confirmed what has previously been reported: that ongoing diplomatic negotiations are underway to determine the long-term future of the Cuban medical brigade in Belize, but no final decisions have been made. He stressed that the government of Belize greatly values the decades of support the Cuban medical personnel have provided to the country’s public health system, and the goal of the discussions is to reach a mutually beneficial, amicable resolution that addresses both Belize’s health needs and the concerns of the Cuban medical team.

    According to Bernard, the ongoing negotiations are progressing steadily, and a final recommendation will be presented to the Belizean Cabinet for approval as early as September 2026. Once an agreement is reached, both the Belizean government and the Cuban brigade will have the clarity and assurances they need moving forward.

    In parallel to the diplomatic talks, the Ministry of Health has been advancing independent initiatives to strengthen Belize’s domestic medical workforce. Bernard noted that five Belizean doctors who have been completing specialized training abroad are preparing to return to the country to practice. These returning professionals include two nephrologists, two obstetricians, and one pediatrician — all specialties that address critical gaps in Belize’s current public health capacity.

    He also confirmed that the government is in active discussions to recruit additional medical professionals from the Philippines to supplement the country’s existing healthcare workforce, a move designed to ensure consistent access to care for Belizean communities regardless of the outcome of the Cuban brigade negotiations. For now, the fate of the longstanding Cuban medical partnership will remain in the hands of Cabinet, which is expected to finalize a decision in the coming weeks.

  • PSU Tells Public Officers Not to Join NeoPeople HR Pilot Programme

    PSU Tells Public Officers Not to Join NeoPeople HR Pilot Programme

    In a recent development dated August 27, 2026, the Public Service Union (PSU) has issued a formal directive barring all public sector employees from taking part in the newly launched NeoPeople human resources pilot programme, escalating a conflict between the labor body and the Briceño administration over the unilaterally rolled-out initiative.

    The PSU alleges that the Ministry of Public Service and the sitting administration moved forward with the pilot without securing the union’s prior agreement, breaking a long-standing process of collaborative decision-making for public sector workforce initiatives. Union leaders confirmed they first discovered the rollout when the third-party vendor NeoPeople reached out directly to selected public officers via their personal email accounts, inviting recipients to complete onboarding procedures that include updating and reviewing sensitive personal information.

    According to PSU documentation, the union outlined a clear set of non-negotiable conditions in an official letter submitted on August 6 that required fulfillment before any employee registration could proceed. These conditions include: a temporary pause on all registration activities until a legally binding Memorandum of Understanding for the new Human Resource Management Information System (HRMIS) is finalized; full public disclosure of NeoPeople’s service contract in response to a Freedom of Information Act request the PSU filed back in March; appointment of a dedicated data privacy officer mandated by the national Data Protection Act; written assurance that no public officer will face disciplinary retaliation for refusing to complete biometric enrollment; public release of a completed Data Protection Impact Assessment for the programme; and explicit, voluntary employee consent for data processing as required by existing data protection legislation.

    As of the union’s latest announcement, none of these six conditions have been satisfied by the ministry or the administration. PSU officials emphasized that the decision to push ahead with the pilot despite repeated calls for a suspension pending consultation is a clear indication of bad faith on the government’s part.

    Beyond the broken consultation process, the union has flagged a separate, serious concern: the Ministry of Public Service shared public officers’ private contact information with NeoPeople, an external third-party vendor, without the knowledge or explicit consent of the affected employees. The PSU describes this action as a major breach of personal data privacy, exactly the risk the union has repeatedly warned about when turning over sensitive public servant information to outside contractors.

    In its official circular distributed to all member public officers, the PSU laid out strict step-by-step instructions for any worker who receives communication from NeoPeople or the ministry regarding the pilot programme. Members are explicitly told not to activate any user account created for the programme, not to share any personal or biometric identifying information with the vendor, and to avoid providing substantive responses to any outreach without first consulting union representatives. The union also requires members to retain all related communications, including invitation emails, onboarding guidance, registration deadlines, and any messages from human resources staff or supervisors referencing the pilot or potential consequences for declining participation. In a separate related call, the PSU has also urged tax sector workers to “stand ready” for further action as the conflict develops.

  • Saint Lucia secures US$20m Taiwan Eximbank loan for housing

    Saint Lucia secures US$20m Taiwan Eximbank loan for housing

    The Caribbean island nation of Saint Lucia is moving forward with a major expansion of its affordable housing stock after formalizing a EC$54 million financing agreement between the Saint Lucia Development Bank (SLDB) and Taiwan Export-Import Bank (Taiwan Eximbank), with the national government backing the deal. This multi-purpose initiative is designed to address long-standing housing access gaps for the country’s most economically vulnerable households, while also upgrading core infrastructure to withstand the growing impacts of climate change.

    Target beneficiaries of the new housing project span middle- and low-income families across the country, with Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre confirming that public sector employees will also be eligible to access housing support through the program. In his public remarks during the official signing ceremony held Tuesday, August 25, Pierre emphasized the government’s core priority of extending critical financial support to groups that have historically been locked out of affordable housing financing.

    “We must try to get the underserved to be served,” Pierre said. “We must try to ensure that people who did not have the opportunity ever to be funded get the opportunity to be funded. We have to ensure that our staff are treated properly. We have to ensure that we have a situation where everyone, everyone, wins and our country benefits.”

    Beyond constructing new accessible housing units, the agreement allocates resources to upgrade connected infrastructure with climate resilience at its core. Planned improvements include enhanced drainage systems to mitigate flood risk, expanded water storage infrastructure to boost water security, and the installation of solar photovoltaic power systems to support renewable energy generation and reduce utility costs for residents. The combination of expanded housing access and climate-smart infrastructure positions the project to deliver long-term social and economic benefits for Saint Lucia, aligning with the government’s goals of inclusive national development.

  • Pay increase for Mortgage Finance workers

    Pay increase for Mortgage Finance workers

    Workers at St Lucia Mortgage Finance Company Limited (SMFC) are set to receive an 8% cumulative general wage increase spread across a three-year period, following successful collective bargaining between company leadership and the National Workers Union (NWU).

    The wage adjustment will be rolled out in incremental, compounded instalments: a 3% raise in the first year, an additional 3% in the second year, and a final 2% increase in the third year. Beyond the scheduled wage gains, the negotiated agreement also grants workers one full year of retroactive back pay to compensate for prior wage freezes or delays. Additional improved benefits written into the new contract include a permanent cap on employee mortgage interest rates capped at 5% and extended paternity leave for eligible workers, bringing SMFC’s employee benefits in line with modern labor standards.

    In an official press statement announcing the conclusion of talks, NWU Secretary General Johann Harewood expressed satisfaction with the final outcome of the negotiations, noting that the mutual agreement between the two sides prevents any further disruptions or delays to the labor bargaining process. Harewood also took the opportunity to highlight SMFC’s longstanding contribution to national development, pointing to the company’s extensive involvement in dozens of public social housing and land development initiatives across the island nation. Major projects SMFC has supported include developments in Sans Souci, Independence City, Entrepot, Ravine Chabot, Reduit Park, Reduit Orchard and Massade, among other communities across St. Lucia.

  • PM Looks to Expand Trade with Honduras

    PM Looks to Expand Trade with Honduras

    In a high-stakes diplomatic meeting held August 24 at the Presidential House in Tegucigalpa, Belizean Prime Minister John Briceño and Honduran President Nasry Asfura have opened a new chapter of cross-border collaboration, laying the groundwork for deeper economic, social and regional integration between the two Central American and Caribbean nations. The discussion, held during Briceño’s official working visit to Honduras, spanned a broad range of priority areas, from public health collaboration and cross-border security to bilateral trade, regional connectivity and climate change action.

    At the top of the bilateral agenda is the potential for a formal trade agreement, a priority that aligns with Belize’s ongoing strategy to expand its economic footprint across Central America. Briceño noted that Belize already has established trade arrangements with neighboring Guatemala and recently finalized a Partial Scope Agreement with El Salvador, leaving Honduras as the next logical strategic partner to broaden regional economic ties. Beyond tariff reductions and market access, the leaders also explored avenues to increase mutual foreign direct investment that could benefit both economies.

    Regional air connectivity emerged as another key talking point. The pair discussed Belize’s potential deeper participation in initiatives led by the Central American Corporation for Air Navigation Services (COCESNA), with a shared goal of streamlining travel and freight movement across the broader Central America and Caribbean region. Improving cross-border links for both people and goods was framed as a critical step to unlock regional economic growth and strengthen supply chain resilience.

    Briceño also used the meeting to outline Belize’s policy agenda during its tenure as Pro Tempore President of the Central American Integration System (SICA) for the second half of 2026. He emphasized that Belize remains committed to advancing closer integration with its Central American neighbors, while preserving and leveraging its distinct Caribbean identity and deep existing ties to Caribbean regional bodies.

    The Belizean delegation accompanying Prime Minister Briceño included senior government leaders across key portfolios: Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard, chief executive officers from the Prime Minister’s Office, the ministries of Investment and Civil Aviation, Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, and Health and Wellness, as well as Belize’s Honorary Consul based in Tegucigalpa. Alongside the formal diplomatic talks, the visit also included a gesture of solidarity: Belizean citizens have publicly affirmed their support for displaced Garinagu communities residing in Honduras, adding a people-focused dimension to the high-level diplomatic engagement.

  • Death toll rises to 362, over 1 000 missing after Nepal-Tibet floods

    Death toll rises to 362, over 1 000 missing after Nepal-Tibet floods

    A catastrophic natural disaster has unfolded across the Nepal-Tibet border region, where flash floods and landslides triggered by a glacial collapse have left at least 362 people dead and more than 1,400 unaccounted for, as rescue crews pressed through muddy wreckage on Thursday in a frantic search for survivors.

    The disaster unleashed a surging cascade of water, mud and rocky debris that scoured entire communities from the landscape. In its wake, homes were swallowed, critical infrastructure including bridges and dams was reduced to rubble, and countless vehicles were destroyed, leaving the region cut off and devastated.

    Among those missing are hundreds of foreign travelers, a large group of whom are Hindu pilgrims who had just completed a journey to the sacred Mount Kailash in Tibet and were returning when the disaster struck. Official figures from Nepali police confirm 359 bodies have been recovered from the disaster zone, with 910 people still out of contact—including 517 foreign tourists. Chinese authorities have also confirmed that 100 Chinese citizens are among those missing in Nepali territory.

    Across the border in Tibet’s Gyirong Port, Chinese state media reports three local fatalities, with an additional 558 people remaining missing, 260 of whom are foreign nationals.

    Initial assessments briefly linked the event to a 4.4 magnitude earthquake, but the U.S. Geological Survey later clarified the disaster was initiated by a sudden glacial collapse, which sent a massive flow of ice and debris rushing down into populated valleys below.

    Emergency response teams have deployed extensively across the affected areas. Nepali army units are working around the clock, using sniffer dogs to detect signs of life trapped beneath thick layers of mud and debris.

    However, the threat of further catastrophe has not passed. Debris jamming the valley has created a natural dam, behind which water is steadily accumulating, raising urgent fears of additional flash floods downstream. Local authorities have issued urgent warnings to communities along the Bhote Koshi River urging extreme caution and preparedness for potential evacuation.

    The disaster draws attention to a growing global risk tied to climate change. Rising global temperatures are accelerating glacial melt across the world’s mountain regions, steadily increasing the frequency and severity of glacial collapses and outburst floods from glacial lakes.

  • Agricultural Kits distributed to farmers in St Vincent and the Grenadines

    Agricultural Kits distributed to farmers in St Vincent and the Grenadines

    Two months after the conclusion of a landmark regional climate adaptation project for Caribbean agriculture, two smallholder farmers in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received specialized agricultural tool kits to extend the impact of the program’s work building climate-resilient farming systems. The handover marks a final phase of support for on-the-ground testing under the ADOPT Caribbean – Soil Health for Climate-Resilient Agriculture Project, an initiative focused on transforming regional farming practices through improved soil management.

    The project, which ran across three Caribbean nations – Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines – set out to address the growing vulnerability of regional agriculture to climate volatility by scaling climate-smart farming techniques. Through hands-on technical training, public field demonstrations, and cross-institutional partnerships, the program worked to expand farmer knowledge across critical areas including evidence-based soil health management, advanced agronomy, efficient irrigation systems, and a suite of other low-carbon, adaptive farming practices.

    In St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the two beneficiary farmers, Hazzard Joseph and Vito Connell, partnered with the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) to run on-farm trials of sustainable soil health techniques, including compost application and organic mulching to improve soil fertility and water retention. The recently delivered tool kits equip the farmers to continue and expand their work, with a comprehensive set of supplies ranging from crop protection inputs (fungicides and insecticides) and vegetable seeds to precision agricultural monitoring tools: rain gauges, tensiometers, pH meters, water meters, hand lenses, sticky traps, and thermometers. The handover also included large equipment: a gasoline-powered chaff cutter and silage machine to support forage management, alongside protective tarpaulins for crop and equipment storage.

    The handover ceremony, held at the local office of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), was carried out by IICA’s St. Vincent and the Grenadines delegation in coordination with the country’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation. IICA Representative Gregg Rawlins explained that the ongoing support forms part of a holistic, integrated strategy to boost climate resilience across every stage of agricultural production, from initial land preparation and soil restoration to water management, crop monitoring, pest and disease control, forage cultivation, and final crop output.

    For the participating farmers, the project has already delivered transformative changes to their approach to farming. Joseph, who has been part of the program since its launch, noted that the training and resources have made her a more skilled and confident producer. “I can say that I am a better farmer today than I was when the project started,” she said. “I am grateful for the equipment and the other items. I am willing and will continue doing farming so that I can help with the food security of my country, so that we can make things better for all farmers.”

    Connell echoed that sentiment, adding that the initiative reshaped his entire outlook on agricultural sustainability and profitability. “I am grateful to be part of this project. It has changed my perspective of agriculture,” he said. “Agriculture is very expensive, we cannot be spending money and not getting any returns, we have to chart the path for those behind, for productivity, food security and economic efficiency.”

    Acting Chief Agricultural Officer Marcus Richards framed the handover as more than just a transfer of equipment – it is a long-term investment in the capacity of Caribbean farmers to withstand climate shocks, boost output, and strengthen national food security. The ADOPT Caribbean project is funded by the Government of New Zealand through its Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative for Latin America and the Caribbean (NZCSA-LAC), as part of New Zealand’s contribution to the Global Research Alliance on Agricultural Greenhouse Gases (GRA). The initiative is administered through the Ag Emissions Centre, with IICA leading on-the-ground implementation across participating Caribbean nations.

  • Respiratory illness cases rise

    Respiratory illness cases rise

    After two consecutive weeks of falling infection rates, public health authorities have recorded a sharp rebound in fever and respiratory disease cases among populations aged five and older, pushing overall activity above official alert thresholds in the week ending August 15. Data from the Ministry of Health and Wellness confirms that COVID-19 makes up the largest share of positive diagnostic tests from nasopharyngeal swab samples, with Influenza B and Rhinovirus ranking as the second and third most common pathogens detected, respectively. The upward trend has been corroborated by frontline medical providers: both the emergency department of Queen Elizabeth Hospital and private practicing clinicians across the country have reported a noticeable jump in patient visits for respiratory symptoms over the past week. Public health officials have flagged three groups as facing disproportionately high risk of developing severe complications from these circulating viruses: adults over the age of 65, pregnant people, and individuals living with pre-existing chronic health conditions. To slow transmission and protect vulnerable communities, the ministry has issued a series of updated public health guidance. For people currently experiencing symptomatic illness, authorities recommend wearing a face mask when coughing or sneezing in proximity to others, avoiding close contact with high-risk individuals, maintaining consistent hand and respiratory hygiene practices, and seeking prompt medical care if symptoms become severe. For members of the high-risk groups specifically, the ministry further advises considering mandatory mask use in crowded indoor spaces and poorly ventilated public areas, alongside adopting other additional precautionary measures while respiratory virus circulation remains elevated. This update was released via official communication from the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Government Information Service.