The 16th Caribbean Week of Agriculture concluded on 8 October 2021 with the presentation of inaugural awards for CARICOM-Caribbean Development Bank Young Farmer of the Year, Citerina Atkins of Jamaica, and CARICOM Farmer of the Year, Deles Warrington of Dominica.
CARICOM Member States were required to submit nominations for the awards which were announced during the closing ceremony of the CWA on 8 October 2021. The awards were established to recognise, promote, foster and support young agriculture entrepreneurs.
“This award is in sync with the revolution of a new phase of food that can be adapted by the entire region, targeting our youth, as we believe they will be the driver behind the transforming of our agricultural sector and indeed our economy,” said the Hon. Audley Shaw, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries of Jamaica and Chair of the 94th Special Meeting of the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) on Agriculture that was the final activity of the CWA.
Announcing the winners, Minister Shaw expressed gratitude to the farmers of the Region. “Everyday, we are reminded of the quality and the quantity of our food, of the unconditional work they put in; the blood, sweat and tears to ensure that they produce and provide food for us in our individual countries and across the Region.
“As we express our gratitude to our farmers, I take this opportunity to say that the future of agriculture rests on climate smart technologies, agri-smart technology, export expansion and our young, vibrant farmers, thus these awards for the CARICOM Farmer and the CARICOM Ministers of Agriculture Award for the CARICOM Young Farmer of the Year 2021, are indicative of our gratitude for the outstanding role that our regional farmers play in contributing to our goal of food security and sustainability,” he said.
CARICOM Farmer of the Year, Deles Warrington of Dominica
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