Business View Caribbean | July 2020

16 BUSINESS VIEW CARIBBEAN JULY 2020 Young people are becoming excited and businessmen who are engaged in the distribution of goods are finding interesting possibilities from the virtual marketing of Agriculture produce The Way Forward: Over the past eight (8) years, I had the opportunity as a policy maker to traverse the hemispheric front line of food production. COVID-19 has brought to the fore the paramount importance of food sovereignty. Never again in our lifetime should anyone dream or even imagine to slight the critical role of food producers. I anticipate that the aggregated State budget for regional food production will increase significantly in the decade 2020–2030 as a result of three (3) important factors: 1. Firstly, there will be a shift in labour towards the food production sector 2. Secondly, capital invested in agriculture will have greater projected returns on investment than other sectors; and 3. Thirdly, technology will provide greater utility in the expansion of agriculture since a new generation of producers will enter the food production value chain. This will encourage the State to increase its support to agriculture investment. It is critical that we restate that there is a consensus among all regional policy makers that food security is vital. This is a clear expression of a political will to creatively advance the cause of food production and productivity. Both the OECS and CARICOM Secretariats are busy today, seeking modern modalities to address the food production sector. For the first time, we have seen such speed to create virtual purchasing platforms for food, utilising website platforms, and social media to engage stakeholders within and across Member States. The aim is that wholesalers, retailers, and consumers can use their cell phones and laptops to make orders of food which will be delivered to their door steps. Currently, logistics and distribution platforms are being designed.