Jamaica to Host 2026 Caribbean Week of Agriculture

The 2026 Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), which is being held in Jamaica for the second time in 19 years, is expected to attract more than 600 participants.

The event, which is being spearheaded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, will run from September 27 to October 2 at the Ocean Coral Spring Resort in Trelawny and is expected to attract participants from 36 countries.

Senior Director of Trade in Agriculture in the Ministry, Shelleka Darby, noted that this year’s event is being held under the theme ‘The New F-A-C-E of Caribbean Food Systems’.

“The Caribbean agriculture and fisheries sector has transformed significantly, and still, we have several milestones that we are yet to accomplish. There is a regional vision called the CARICOM 25 x 2025 + 5 initiative, which is designed to strengthen intra-regional trade and boost production so that we can reduce our dependence on importation.

“For that reason, this Caribbean Week of Agriculture sets the stage for what we’re calling the new F-A-C-E of Caribbean Food Systems. The F is for food security, A for agribusiness, C for climate-smart technologies, and E for export expansion,” she explained.

Ms. Darby told JIS News that the week will feature high-impact technical sessions designed to strengthen resilience and chart a course for transforming the region’s food systems.

“It will also include several high-level ministerial meetings, wherein strategies and decisions will be made to inform the development of the sector. These sessions cover trade and export, trade and economic development, fisheries policies, research and development, and meetings with industry and development partners,” she said.

Meanwhile, the Ministry is encouraging stakeholders in the sector to attend the event to expand their networks, forge new connections and strengthen existing partnerships.

“The CWA is really intended to serve the regional agriculture sector at all levels… it does require farmers to participate. There are even dedicated sessions that are just for farmers to have discussions and dialogue among themselves.

“Farmers will benefit from being in a space that provides vast exposure to cutting-edge technologies, research and information coming out of some of our agencies as well as disaster preparedness guidance. The content is rich enough for everyone who is coming as part of the agricultural sector to benefit. So, we want our farmers and our fishers to be present,” Ms. Darby said.

For registration and additional information, persons are encouraged to visit CWA2026.caricom.org