Carib Scope

标签： Dominica

多米尼克

  • Jamaican Farmers to receive support through matching grant scheme backed by CDB

    Jamaican Farmers to receive support through matching grant scheme backed by CDB

    Jamaican agricultural producers are set to receive substantial financial empowerment through an innovative Matching Grant Scheme (MGS) introduced through a strategic partnership between the Jamaican government and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB). This groundbreaking initiative, formally launched recently, represents a significant advancement in supporting the growth and modernization of Jamaica’s farming sector.

    The MGS operates as a key component within the broader Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project (SPFDP), which benefits from substantial funding amounting to £16.7 million provided through the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Programme (UKCIF) and administered by CDB. The scheme specifically addresses the critical financial constraints that have historically impeded small and medium-scale farmers from expanding their agricultural operations.

    Stephen Lawrence, Projects Department Advisor at CDB, emphasized the transformative potential of the program, noting that it fundamentally aims to empower agricultural producers to invest directly in their own development. Through cost-sharing arrangements for essential production and post-harvest infrastructure, the scheme effectively reduces financial barriers that have traditionally limited business expansion within the agricultural sector.

    The initiative aligns perfectly with SPADP’s comprehensive objectives to enhance farming conditions across 795 hectares in the Parnassus and Amity Hall regions. Beyond physical infrastructure improvements including advanced irrigation systems, drainage solutions, farm road networks, and support facilities, the project tackles persistent challenges such as climate variability, water scarcity, escalating input expenses, and restricted market accessibility.

    Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Honourable Floyd Green, underscored the government’s unwavering commitment to developing a contemporary, resilient agricultural industry. He characterized the program as transcending mere supply distribution, instead focusing on equipping farmers with essential tools, knowledge, and confidence to function as competitive agribusiness entrepreneurs. Minister Green highlighted how such initiatives strengthen national food security, expand rural economic opportunities, and enhance Jamaica’s agricultural competitiveness in both domestic and international markets.

    During project planning phases, CDB identified that infrastructure development alone would insufficiently guarantee success. The bank recognized the crucial need to support informal farmers and vulnerable households lacking secure land tenure or modernization capital. Consequently, the MGS was strategically incorporated to bridge this gap, enabling resource-constrained farmers to formalize operations and maximize benefits from newly developed infrastructure.

    Vivion Scully, Chief Executive Officer of Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), outlined the scheme’s focus on developing sustainable livelihoods and long-term agricultural growth. He explained that the support enables farmers’ transition from subsistence-based operations to structured, commercially viable production models. Through comprehensive provision of irrigation infrastructure, production inputs, specialized training, and business development guidance, the program invests directly in farmers’ capacity to increase yields, access new markets, and establish multigenerational sustainable operations.

    The MGS promotes adoption of climate-resilient technologies and enhanced post-harvest management practices, advancing Jamaica’s strategic objectives of increased productivity, reduced losses, and improved market competitiveness domestically and internationally. The scheme additionally enhances market readiness by assisting producers in meeting contemporary quality standards while fostering stronger commercial buyer relationships.

    Andrew Bowden, the UK’s Development Representative for Jamaica and Caribbean Regional Counsellor, highlighted how the scheme expands access to vital resources for traditionally underserved groups including women, youth, and vulnerable populations. By facilitating investments in modern irrigation, agricultural technologies, and agribusiness ventures, the program ensures farmers possess necessary tools, financing, and support mechanisms to fully utilize new Southern Plains infrastructure.

    The AIC will assume management responsibility for the MGS, with a Selection Committee chaired by Mr. Scully and comprising representatives from private sector organizations and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining. To ensure equitable participation, the project will develop a comprehensive Operations Manual with specific guidelines promoting involvement from vulnerable groups, supplemented by targeted communication strategies and technical assistance for investment plan development.

    This initiative reflects CDB’s strategic commitment to sustainable agriculture, rural development, and climate resilience through promotion of climate-smart practices that enhance food security and economic empowerment within rural communities. It further reinforces the bank’s dedication to inclusive growth by ensuring broad-based access to development benefits and economic opportunities throughout the region.

  • Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority to serve as moderator for senior-level aviation and tourism discussion panel at CTO Air Connectivity Summit

    Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority to serve as moderator for senior-level aviation and tourism discussion panel at CTO Air Connectivity Summit

    Stacey Liburd, Chief Executive Officer of the Grenada Tourism Authority, has been selected to moderate a pivotal leadership discussion at the Caribbean Tourism Organization’s 2026 Air Connectivity Summit in Bermuda. The one-day gathering, scheduled for later this month, will convene tourism ministers, airline executives, airport authorities, and regional policymakers under the theme “Integrating Aviation and Regional Tourism Development.”

    Liburd will facilitate the strategic panel “From Runway to Resort: Connecting Aviation & Caribbean Tourism Development,” which will examine the critical intersection of air transport planning and tourism strategy formulation. The dialogue will feature prominent representatives from aviation, infrastructure development, and private hospitality sectors, addressing practical solutions for route expansion, airport modernization, digital identity implementation, and visitor flow optimization.

    “Air connectivity transcends mere aviation concerns—it represents the cornerstone of tourism development, economic resilience, and regional competitiveness,” Liburd emphasized. “The synergistic alignment between aviation strategy and tourism planning will ultimately dictate our capacity to grow, diversify, and sustain Caribbean visitor economies.”

    Grenada’s prominent participation reflects the nation’s committed engagement in regional airlift negotiations and its evidence-based approach to enhancing connectivity. Recent initiatives include strengthening international air service partnerships and deploying targeted marketing campaigns to improve route performance and increase visitor expenditure.

    The summit constitutes a key component of CTO’s comprehensive Reimagine Plan and the ongoing work of its Airlift Committee, which focuses on improving intra-regional connectivity, long-haul access, and sustainable aviation practices across member states. Liburd’s dual role as moderator and Airlift Committee member positions Grenada at the forefront of discussions that will shape the future of Caribbean air access and tourism integration.

  • Clara Lionel Foundation allocates financial support to enhance climate adaptation in Jamaica’s artistic community

    Clara Lionel Foundation allocates financial support to enhance climate adaptation in Jamaica’s artistic community

    In a significant move to bolster climate resilience within the Caribbean’s cultural sector, the Clara Lionel Foundation (CLF), founded by global icon Rihanna, has announced a major partnership with the Creative Resilience Fund. This collaboration will channel substantial financial support—though the exact amount remains confidential—to assist Jamaican artists and creative entrepreneurs recovering from the devastation of Hurricane Melissa.

    The initiative directly addresses a critical vulnerability: Jamaica’s creative industry, largely composed of informal micro-enterprises and independent artists, faces existential threats from increasingly intense hurricanes. These climate events frequently destroy essential assets—from inventory and equipment to studios and exhibition spaces—while also eroding cultural heritage. Many affected creatives operate without insurance, savings, or access to traditional financing, often remaining invisible to formal government aid programs targeting registered businesses.

    Launched by the nonprofit Kingston Creative, the Creative Resilience Fund provides immediate emergency grants and pathways to restore economic activity for those whose livelihoods are disrupted. Prior to CLF’s involvement, the fund had already distributed aid to 78 creatives, particularly in the climate-sensitive craft sector, with support from organizations like the Miami Foundation.

    Amina Doherty, Head of Programs and Impact at CLF, emphasized the strategic importance of targeted philanthropy. ‘Public disaster response mechanisms rarely account for the specific needs of artists and cultural practitioners, despite their profound contributions to national identity, tourism, and community cohesion,’ she stated. ‘This partnership deepens our commitment to climate resilience and creative industry development across the Caribbean, ensuring recovery isn’t left to chance and cultural ecosystems aren’t permanently diminished.’

    Richard Hartley, Operations Manager at Kingston Creative, noted the symbolic significance of the donation: ‘It is fitting that resilience for creatives is being funded by a creative. Rihanna serves as an inspiration to many emerging artists in Jamaica.’

    As a member of Kingston Creative’s ‘First 100 Founders’—a group of donors contributing J$1 million or more annually—CLF joins entities like the CB Facey Foundation and the Bank of Jamaica in investing in the sustainable future of Jamaica’s creative sector and the revitalization of Downtown Kingston as a global cultural hub. The organization continues to call for additional support from philanthropic entities, corporations, and individual donors to safeguard artists amid escalating climate challenges.

  • Caribbean Tourism Organization CEO: Agriculture is key to region’s resilience

    Caribbean Tourism Organization CEO: Agriculture is key to region’s resilience

    At the 54th annual AgriFest opening in St. Croix, Caribbean Tourism Organization (CTO) Secretary-General Dona Regis-Prosper delivered a transformative vision that redefines the region’s economic foundation. Addressing a capacity crowd on February 17, 2026, the tourism executive presented a compelling case that authentic Caribbean prosperity grows from the soil rather than corporate boardrooms.

    The three-day festival, celebrating agricultural innovation and technological advancement, became the platform for Regis-Prosper’s paradigm-shifting declaration: ‘Tourism really began in a garden.’ She articulated that before hotels, airports, and cruise ships dominated the landscape, there was land, soil, and cultivation. This fundamental perspective challenges conventional tourism models that often marginalize agricultural heritage.

    Regis-Prosper specifically commended the U.S. Virgin Islands for maintaining agriculture as central to its social and economic fabric rather than treating it as a secondary concern. ‘Here in St. Croix, agriculture is not a side story. It is the foundation of your global identity,’ she stated, referencing historical agricultural pillars like St. Croix’s sugar, St. Lucia’s bananas, Jamaica’s coffee, and Trinidad & Tobago’s cocoa.

    The CTO leader identified a significant shift in traveler preferences, noting that modern visitors increasingly prioritize authentic sensory experiences over traditional luxury metrics. ‘Visitors don’t always remember square footage, décor or thread counts,’ Regis-Prosper observed. ‘They remember taste, smell, storytelling — or, as I like to say, truth-telling. And they remember how they felt.’ This evolution positions local farmers as essential contributors to the tourism value chain.

    Supporting evidence came from U.S. Virgin Islands Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King, who revealed that AgriFest has become one of the territory’s most dynamic tourism weekends. ‘Outside of the Crucian Christmas Festival, AgriFest is the biggest weekend that we have,’ Matarangas-King reported. ‘Right now, every room is filled. You can’t get a rental car.’ She emphasized that the territory’s farm-to-table culture represents an authentic multigenerational practice rather than a passing marketing trend.

    The event’s significance was further underscored by the anticipated arrival of three cruise ships bringing over 8,000 visitors during the holiday weekend, alongside thousands of residents and diaspora members.

    Governor Albert Bryan Jr. joined the discourse on land use strategy, framing land ownership as a pathway to intergenerational wealth and community resilience. ‘We all need to think about how we live, how we eat, and what we grow,’ Bryan urged, detailing ongoing administration efforts to acquire land for preservation and agricultural development.

    Regis-Prosper concluded by referencing the CTO’s Reimagine Plan, which promotes sustainable and regenerative tourism models. She proposed the equation ‘Agriculture plus technology plus strategic foresight equals resilience,’ while issuing a powerful regional call to action: ‘Tourism should never replace the garden. Tourism should protect it.’

    The CTO delegation engaged in strategic discussions with territorial leadership focused on enhancing regional cooperation and expanding agro-tourism initiatives throughout the Caribbean, signaling a new chapter in integrated tourism development.

  • PRESS RELEASE: West Indies Men secure Super Eight spot with three consecutive victories

    PRESS RELEASE: West Indies Men secure Super Eight spot with three consecutive victories

    The West Indies cricket team has emphatically secured their advancement to the Super Eight phase of the ICC T20 World Cup, becoming the first squad to clinch a berth following a devastating nine-wicket triumph over Nepal this Sunday at Mumbai’s Wankhede Stadium. This victory represents their third consecutive win in the tournament, preserving an unblemished record in the group stages hosted across India and Sri Lanka.

    With one group match still remaining against Italy scheduled for Thursday in Kolkata, the Caribbean side has already guaranteed progression. Their pre-seeded position as the group’s second-ranked team ensures they will carry this seeding into the next round, regardless of the final group standings. The Super Eight stage will see them face formidable opponents in Group C: India, South Africa, and Zimbabwe, commencing on February 23.

    The match against Nepal was a demonstration of clinical efficiency. After electing to field, the West Indies bowling attack dismantled the Asian side’s top order, reducing them to a precarious 23 for 4 just after the powerplay. Pace bowler Jason Holder delivered a man-of-the-match performance, claiming 4 wickets for 27 runs and elevating his tournament tally to 7 wickets, placing him among the top five wicket-takers. Supported by Matthew Forde, Akeal Hosein, Roston Chase, and Shamar Joseph—each taking a wicket—Nepal was restricted to a modest 133 for 8.

    The chase was executed with commanding ease. An opening partnership of 43 between Captain Shai Hope and Brandon King set a solid foundation. Following King’s dismissal for a brisk 22, Hope combined with Shimron Hetmyer in an unbroken, match-winning stand of 91 runs. Hope’s elegant innings of 61, featuring five fours and three sixes, also saw him surpass 1500 career T20I runs. Hetmyer provided explosive support, smashing 46 off just 32 balls.

    This comprehensive win builds upon earlier dominant performances. Hetmyer, now the team’s leading scorer with 133 runs at an average of 66.50, had previously blasted a half-century (64) to secure a win against Scotland. That match was also highlighted by Romario Shepherd’s international hat-trick. In the following game against arch-rivals England, Sherfane Rutherford’s career-best 74 and Gudakesh Motie’s spin bowling (3 for 33) sealed a comfortable 30-run victory.

    Captain Shai Hope emphasized the team’s process-oriented mindset, stating, ‘When we got on the plane to come here, that was the first step… we all want to lift the trophy but there is a process to get there by playing our best cricket and peaking at the right time.’

    The West Indies will conclude their group stage against Italy on Thursday, February 19, at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Fans in the Caribbean can follow the action on ESPN Caribbean and Disney+.

  • Details of fatal motorcycle accident in Louisville yesterday from full police report

    Details of fatal motorcycle accident in Louisville yesterday from full police report

    A fatal traffic incident on Valley Road has resulted in the death of a 45-year-old motorcyclist, prompting an ongoing investigation by the Commonwealth of Dominica Police Force’s Traffic Department. The collision occurred on February 16, 2026, near the Louisville junction, claiming the life of Mackie McKenzie of River Street while his passenger sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

    Preliminary investigation reports indicate the tragedy unfolded when a Mitsubishi Fuso fighter truck was traveling eastbound while McKenzie operated his SH Scooter (registration #PY768) in the opposite direction. According to official statements, the motorcycle rider attempted evasive maneuvers upon noticing the approaching truck but subsequently lost control, veered off the roadway, and impacted a curb with significant force.

    The violent impact ejected both McKenzie and his pillion rider, identified as Shaquille Hector, also of River Street, from the vehicle onto the southern roadside. Emergency responders transported both individuals to the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital’s Accident and Emergency Department for immediate medical attention.

    Despite receiving prompt medical care, McKenzie was pronounced deceased at 12:48 hours on the day of the incident. Hector remains under medical supervision at the Alford Ward, with medical authorities confirming his injuries, while serious, are not considered life-threatening. The Traffic Department continues to examine the precise circumstances surrounding this tragic roadway incident.

  • American Civil Rights icon, Jesse Jackson, dead at 84

    American Civil Rights icon, Jesse Jackson, dead at 84

    Reverend Jesse Louis Jackson, the monumental civil rights leader whose transformative advocacy reshaped American political discourse and social justice movements, has died at age 84. His passing was confirmed by his family through the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, the nonprofit organization he founded to advance civil rights causes.

    Jackson’s remarkable journey began as a key lieutenant to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. during the 1960s civil rights movement. Following King’s tragic assassination in 1968, Jackson emerged as a powerful voice for racial equality and economic justice. His groundbreaking presidential campaigns in 1984 and 1988 fundamentally altered perceptions about Black political viability in American presidential politics, inspiring generations of minority candidates.

    Throughout his decades of activism, Jackson remained an unwavering advocate for voting rights, criminal justice reform, and economic empowerment for marginalized communities. As recently as 2021, at age 79, he was arrested while leading a voting rights demonstration, demonstrating his lifelong commitment to direct action.

    The civil rights champion had faced significant health challenges in recent years. He was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy, a rare neurological disorder, and had been hospitalized multiple times, including for COVID-19 treatment in August 2021 and for injuries sustained during a protest at Howard University later that year.

    Jackson is survived by his wife of six decades, Jacqueline Jackson, their five children—Santita, Jesse Jr., Jonathan, Yusef, and Jacqueline—and a sixth child, Ashley. His legacy endures through the countless activists and politicians he inspired and the structural changes he helped achieve in American society.

  • UWI hosts Nigerian Vice-Chancellor delegation

    UWI hosts Nigerian Vice-Chancellor delegation

    In a significant move toward Global South educational collaboration, twenty newly appointed Nigerian Vice-Chancellors embarked on a landmark visit to The University of the West Indies (UWI) headquarters in Jamaica from February 10-12. The delegation, representing Nigeria’s Committee of Vice-Chancellors of National Universities (CVCNU), was formally received by UWI Vice-Chancellor Professor Sir Hilary Beckles during the Africa-Caribbean Higher Education Summit.

    The summit represented a strategic initiative by Nigerian higher education leadership to gain firsthand understanding of UWI’s operational excellence and its innovative approaches to balancing national priorities with global engagement challenges. With Nigeria operating approximately 280 universities (140 public and 140 private) and UWI ranking among the top 3.6% of global institutions according to Times Higher Education rankings, the partnership signifies a powerful alignment between two major educational forces in the Global South.

    Professor Beckles characterized the gathering as “a spiritual moment” that acknowledged the profound historical and intellectual connections between Africa and the Caribbean. He emphasized Nigeria’s substantial influence on UWI’s development, noting that the university’s evolution remains intrinsically linked to these regional bonds.

    CVCNU Secretary-General Professor Andrew Haruna addressed both the challenges and opportunities within Nigeria’s higher education landscape while acknowledging the longstanding contributions of Caribbean scholars to Nigerian academic development. The dialogue extended to include Dr. Gervan Fearon, President of George Brown Polytechnic and prominent Caribbean diaspora leader, who delivered a keynote address advocating for purpose-driven universities and emphasizing the critical importance of indigenous publishing platforms for elevating Global South research.

    The three-day summit facilitated comprehensive discussions on strategic planning, research development, curriculum standardization, global rankings optimization, resource management, and visionary leadership. The full participation of all UWI Principals and Pro Vice-Chancellors demonstrated institutional commitment to the “ONE UWI” vision, creating a dynamic environment for intellectual exchange and collaborative planning.

    Professor C. Justin Robinson, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of UWI’s Five Islands Campus, concluded the event with powerful remarks framing South-South collaboration as “a strategic imperative rather than a consolation prize.” He asserted that solutions for developing nations will increasingly emerge through institutions like UWI and Nigerian universities working collaboratively without “waiting for permission to lead.”

  • IICA signs agreement with Costa Rican gov’t to bolster country’s agriculture industry

    IICA signs agreement with Costa Rican gov’t to bolster country’s agriculture industry

    Costa Rica has forged a landmark alliance with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to revolutionize its agricultural sector through a comprehensive modernization strategy. The formal agreement, signed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock (MAG) and the hemispheric organization, centers on implementing a groundbreaking Payment for Results (PfR) program backed by $140 million in funding from the World Bank and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

    The partnership was officially launched during the inauguration of MAG’s new digital single file system, with high-level participation from Costa Rican Minister of Agriculture and Livestock Víctor Carvajal Porras, Environment and Energy Minister Franz Tattenbach Capra, and IICA Director General Muhammad Ibrahim, who served as honorary witness to the signing ceremony.

    This five-year initiative represents a paradigm shift in agricultural governance, structured around eight strategic indicators that IICA will technically verify. The program’s architecture encompasses six transformative pillars: digital transformation of agricultural systems, enhanced traceability mechanisms, infrastructure modernization, implementation of Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), development of Payment for Environmental Services (PES) frameworks, and promotion of green financing strategies.

    IICA’s role as technical partner leverages the organization’s regional expertise to ensure international standards in management, evaluation, and accountability. Director General Ibrahim emphasized the strategic importance of this collaboration, noting that ‘the transformation and modernization of the agricultural sector are essential to respond to national demands and global challenges.’ The Institute will work closely with ministries and private sector stakeholders to overcome institutional barriers and strengthen sustainable practices.

    Beyond immediate operational improvements, the agreement positions IICA as a key policy advisor in strengthening Costa Rica’s agricultural public policies. The collaboration aims to create a more innovative and resilient agricultural sector that simultaneously addresses environmental commitments and international market requirements, establishing a new benchmark for sustainable agriculture in the Americas.

  • Sagicor Financial honors Caribbean journalism that promotes healthier and financially empowered communities

    Sagicor Financial honors Caribbean journalism that promotes healthier and financially empowered communities

    Sagicor Financial Company Ltd. has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing public education across the Caribbean through continued sponsorship of the Caribbean Broadcasting Union’s Media Awards program. The financial services leader is specifically supporting two critical categories: Health Education Journalism (print) and Financial Literacy Journalism (television), recognizing outstanding media contributions that empower communities with essential knowledge.

    The sponsorship forms part of Sagicor’s broader corporate social responsibility initiatives, strategically targeting areas where informed journalism can directly impact regional development. By honoring exceptional reporting in health and financial literacy, the program encourages media professionals to create content that transcends conventional news reporting to deliver practical, life-enhancing information to Caribbean audiences.

    Ingrid Card, Vice President of Communications and Brand Experience at Sagicor, emphasized the transformative power of quality journalism: ‘We take immense pride in supporting media practitioners whose work demonstrates remarkable depth and thoughtfulness. Their contributions significantly advance public understanding of vital health and financial matters, ultimately fostering greater empowerment and well-being throughout our region.’

    The awards have previously celebrated exemplary journalism, including Greater Belize Media’s television segment ‘Budgeting for Belizean Christmas Traditions’ which explored cultural spending patterns and financial planning during holidays. In print journalism, RJRGLEANER Communications Group received recognition for their article ‘Disease Transfer Eliminated,’ highlighting breakthroughs in public health protection.

    Anthony Greene, President of the CBU, commended Sagicor’s private sector leadership: ‘This partnership provides crucial incentives for producing high-quality development-focused content. Such collaborations are fundamental to enhancing media offerings that serve Caribbean audiences effectively.’

    The 37th Media Awards Gala, scheduled for August 2026 during the 57th CBU Assembly, will convene media professionals from across the Caribbean’s linguistic diversity—including Dutch, English, French, and Spanish-speaking regions—to celebrate excellence across all media platforms.