Connect with us

Caribbean News

1.3 Million MORE Regional People FOOD INSECURE; CARICOM’s Ali presents plans to beat HUNGER

Published

on

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer

 

March 4, 2024 – With the issue of regional food insecurity still at large, CARICOM Heads announce that they are making huge efforts to end hunger and malnutrition by 2030; speaking directly to solutions and strides was host of the 46th Regular Meeting, Irfaan Ali, the incoming chair of CARICOM and President of Guyana.

The Guyanese President identified significant international partners such as Canada and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

In his address, Dr. Ali points out that the work with Canada will involve their Agri-Value added program.

“We are going to work with the Canadians to accelerate and implement projects from their Agri-Value added program,” he maintained, speaking at the Opening Ceremony of the CARICOM Heads of Government Meeting on February 25th, 2024.

He added that talks have already been had with minister Ansari Hosein, Executive Director, CARDI who is responsible for the investment in Agri-Value added programs and projects.

The Guyanese President continued to express that this development is crucial to the region, to build on its resistance and sustainability against various shocks which may not affect the rest of the world the way it affects this region.

Additionally, he revealed that in the coming weeks, work will be done to finalize projects and programs focused on the involvement of youth and women in innovative agriculture.

This ties into another multi-million dollar partnership with Saudi Arabia.

“We have submitted a regional sustainable resilient agricultural project to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at the cost of $25 million US dollars. We are in advanced stages of finalizing this investment, to be made within the region, that will focus again, on youth, women and innovation in the food production system.”

Also, moves are being made to remove trade barriers as passionately expressed by Ali, as he calls CARICOM nationals to push for their removal.

“We are continuing work to address the removal of trade barriers within member states, and the people of CARICOM must put pressure on the leaders of CARICOM to remove the trade barriers, it is of no use and purpose for this region. We are too small to be competing against each other. People of this region, call upon your leaders to remove these barriers, let them hear you loudly,” he firmly stated, adding that the trade barriers must urgently be broken down.

To further boost the chances of beating hunger and malnutrition by 2030, Guyana, according to Ali, is investing in what he called a Center of Excellence, armed with a situational room and a “state-of-the-art data analytics platform, to support regional food security and regional food production.”

“The platform will focus on the area of research and development, real-time data technology and predictive decision making modules to help our farmers,” he added.

This, he says, in collaboration with ECA  and FAO as a regional project.

There is also work being done with The Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation (Embrapa), to rebuild the region’s citrus sector. The target goal for this, according to Ali, is to have 1 million citrus seedlings available within the forest year, that is the end of December 2024.

And, effort is being put into expanding the regional food hub.

This, he says, it to “integrate production, processing, packaging and distribution within the region and connected to northern Brazil.

Making the region “fully self-sufficient in corn, soya. Black-eyed peas and red beans by the end of 2026,” is another major goal towards the elimination of hunger and malnutrition by 2030, alongside collaboration with [CAPSO], to fortify the region’s poultry sector, to be fully self-sufficient, “with full backward and forward integration, including the production of hatching eggs within a five year window.”

Not only that, CARICOM is expanding its breeding program for livestock, to increase quality and production to cater to the increasing regional demand.

Additionally, in his detailed address on regional development, Mohamed Irfaan Ali, underlined deeper efforts with products to ensure the health and protection of the region’s agricultural produce.

“We are working with…veterinary company products, in conjunction with Bio-Cuba Farmer, for the production of bio pesticides and by products for agriculture and the use of natural products in support of our livestock industry and food production.”

The private sector is another important part of freeing the region of hunger and malnutrition.

Ali speaks to work being done by Republic Bank Limited.

He says, “The low interest 100 million US dollar facility by Republic Bank Limited, has been activated, with the first 17 million US dollars disbursed, already, in food and agriculture projects within the region.”

He adds that they are launching a development workshop program to help the region in benefiting from the Republic Bank Facility.

Furthermore, the region is equipped with many internationally recognized individuals who Ali expressed, can be key to meeting the 2030 target and so, the intention is to utilize these human assets.

“We are proposing to bring together the human assets that this region nurtured into international fame, to bring their goodwill together as ambassadors, to mobilize international financing and support, so that we can end hunger and malnutrition in this region…we have the capability.”

He continued to highlight individuals such as Usain Bolt, Chris Gayle and Clive Loyd.

With these assets, the aim is to raise resources and revenue to address hunger.

According to statistics, fifty seven percent of the region’s population in 2023 were affected by food insecurity, a major rise of 1.3 million compared to February of 2022.

Caribbean News

S Hotel Kingston Partners with Bob Marley Foundation to Celebrate Kingston as the Cultural Capital

Published

on

KINGSTON, JAMAICA, [February 6, 2024] – In celebration of Bob Marley’s 80th birthday, S Hotel Kingston has partnered with the Bob Marley Foundation to launch an immersive “Explore Kingston” initiative, spotlighting the city’s rich cultural heritage. The collaboration features a dynamic new video that showcases Kingston in the world’s music culture.

Widely regarded as the heart of Jamaica’s artistic and musical legacy, Kingston takes center stage in this captivating video, which highlights iconic sites such as the Bob Marley Museum, Trench Town Culture Yard, Tuff Gong International, and Kingston Creative’s Water Lane Art Walk. The video offers an inspiring glimpse into the city’s cultural essence and its deep connection to reggae music.

“We are thrilled to partner with the Bob Marley Foundation to bring this experience to life,” said Christopher Issa, CEO of S Hotels Jamaica. “This initiative is not only a celebration of Bob Marley’s birthday but also a tribute to the creative spirit that makes Kingston the beating heart of Jamaica.”

S Hotel Kingston embraces this cultural legacy throughout the property. Each room is equipped with a Bob Marley record player. The hotel’s Strings Cafe and Bar features a stunning zinc mural with an impression of Bob Marley, serving as a striking backdrop that pays homage to Kingston’s artistic roots, along with an 8-ft guitar. Additionally, a Bob Marley statue stands as a tribute to the legendary artist, further reinforcing the hotel’s deep connection to Jamaica’s music history.

For more information on S Hotel Kingston, please visit http://www.shotelkingston.com. To view the “Explore Kingston” video, follow S Hotel Kingston on social at @shotelkingstonjm.

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

Fully Renovated RIU Negril Reopens

Published

on

Montego Bay, February 3, 2025 – RIU Resorts Jamaica, has unveiled major upgrades to its Negril property, while maintaining a strong commitment to local employment and cultural preservation.

The Spanish hotel chain boasts a 98 per cent local employment rate across its seven properties in Jamaica.

This commitment to local hiring extends beyond entry-level positions, with the company actively promoting internal opportunities for Jamaicans, particularly with the reopening of RIU Negril.

“It’s not just staying at one position all the time. You have the options, especially when we open new hotels, we take from the experienced staff into the new hotels and then promote and do internal promotions in this hotel,” Regional Director of Operations at RIU, Frank Sondern stated.

He told JIS News that these opportunities extend to skills development and employee welfare.

Mr. Sondern further noted that this approach contributed to RIU’s staff not participating in recent hotel worker strikes, as the company actively addresses employee concerns regarding transportation, meals, and workplace conditions.

“Also, what I think is very important, is the philosophy that RIU has in regard to the management. We have an open-door philosophy where you do not have to apply somewhere or ask for an appointment to see the general manager,” he stated.

“We are touchable, approachable on the property and always communicating with the staff, and I think that makes a big difference as it [builds rapport],” he added.

The company’s recent renovation project in Negril, completed in December 2024, represents a significant capital investment in Jamaica’s tourism infrastructure.

The upgraded property, which currently employs up to 500 staff members, now features new amenities including ‘swim-up’ rooms and two-bedroom family suites accommodating up to six guests.

Additionally, food and beverage offerings have expanded to include the exclusive Tiki Taco concept and an American comfort food restaurant available 24/7.

This has positioned the resort to capture emerging markets and increase tourism revenue.

RIU’s high percentage of sourcing local food, beverages, and other operational necessities further contributes to the growth of businesses in Jamaica’s tourism supply chain.

Director of Sales at RIU Resorts Jamaica, Niurka Garcia Linton, indicated that the resort ensures authentic Jamaican cuisine in its restaurants, which are mostly named after the parish or location in which they sit.

“Every restaurant that we have with the buffet, breakfast, lunch and dinner will have a Jamaican corner. So everywhere you go, you can get a taste of Jamaican food or drinks,” Mrs. Garcia Linton said.

“It is the same with the entertainment. Reggae is part of our identity, and it is very important for us to really acknowledge the country, acknowledge the culture, and to honour it. We want to give them back,” she added.

In the meantime, as part of its ongoing collaboration with the Government, RIU Resorts maintains a close relationship with the Ministry of Tourism and its affiliated agencies, including the Jamaica Tourist Board (JTB).

Mrs. Garcia Linton said the resort actively participates in promotional initiatives aimed at increasing tourist arrivals. To this end, she is set to represent RIU at an upcoming JTB collaboration in the United Kingdom to boost business from that market in the coming week.

“We recognize that Jamaica has an amazing product. So, we want to ensure that we always have a cutting edge of why the client should choose [Jamaica] over any other brand. This is one of the reasons that we’re always trying to reinvent ourselves,” Mrs. Garcia Linton stated.

 

Contact: Okoye Henry

Release: JIS

Continue Reading

Caribbean News

CARICOM Heads of Government will meet in Barbados for 48th Regular Meeting |19-21 February 2025

Published

on

Barbados, February 3, 2025 – Caribbean Community (CARICOM) Heads of Government will meet in Barbados, 19-21 February 2025, for their 48th Regular Meeting which is being convened under the theme – Strength in Unity: Forging Caribbean Resilience, Inclusive Growth and Sustainable Development. Heads of Government will discuss several pressing issues for the Community, including food and nutrition security; climate change and the climate finance agenda; the ongoing challenges in Haiti; security issues; digital resilience; external relations matters and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME). Other issues such as maritime and air transport, and reparations will also occupy the attention of the leaders over the two-day period.

The Meeting’s Opening Ceremony will take place in the afternoon of Wednesday 19 February at the Lord Erskine Sandiford Centre, Bridgetown. Scheduled to deliver addresses are the Chairman, Hon. Mia Amor Mottley of Barbados; outgoing Chairman, Hon. Dickon Mitchell of Grenada; the new Premier of Montserrat, Hon. Reuben T. Meade, and CARICOM Secretary-General, Dr Carla Barnett. Special Guests, Secretary-General of the United Nations, H.E. Mr. António Guterres and the President of the European Commission, H.E. Ms. Ursula von der Leyen will also address the Ceremony.

Prime Minister Mottley, the new Chair, set the tone for CARICOM’s focus over the next six months in her New Year’s message when she highlighted the need for the Community to resume the full implementation of the CARICOM Single Market and Economy, conscious that it “is not merely an economic agenda, but a vision of unity and opportunity for small states to achieve greater economic resilience”. Central to the focus on the CSME is the full realisation of the free movement of CARICOM nationals, which, according to Prime Minister  Mottley “is essential for unlocking the true potential of the people and economies of the Community”.

The business sessions of the Meeting, 20-21 February, will be held at the Wyndham Grand Barbados – Sam Lords Castle in St Philip.

Continue Reading

FIND US ON FACEBOOK

TRENDING