Caribbean nations are stepping up joint efforts to fight agricultural pests, with Antigua and Barbuda’s Dr Janil Gore-Francis once again taking the lead in coordinating regional emergency responses.
At high-level talks in Trinidad this week, officials from across the region—alongside partners from the Food and Agriculture Organization, US Department of Agriculture, and CARICOM—agreed on new protocols for managing pest outbreaks that threaten crops and food supplies.
The Caribbean’s close-knit geography means pests can quickly spread across borders. Dr Gore-Francis stressed the importance of regional collaboration, saying it allows countries to share proven strategies instead of “reinventing the wheel”.
The renewed approach focuses on prevention and early intervention, integrating pest control into wider disaster management plans. Technical teams are working on rapid response systems and tailored protocols for high-risk pests affecting both export and subsistence crops.
“We’ve learned a great deal,” said Dr Gore-Francis, highlighting the value of exchanging ideas and building joint projects to protect agriculture across the region.
