By Zoila Palma: Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson is urging Caribbean countries to change the perception that foreign-made products are automatically better than locally produced goods, stressing that regional food security depends on greater support for Caribbean businesses and improved trade links.
Ferguson said consumers and businesses must recognize the quality of products made within the region, The Jamaica Observer reports.
He pointed to Jamaica’s attractive product packaging as an example of how presentation can influence consumer confidence. “If we can follow suit, then the people in the region will recognize that the people in the Caribbean can also produce what they produce in China and the USA,” he said.
Ferguson noted that Belize began investing in agro-processing around 1990, with assistance from the Mennonite community in developing agricultural production and processing.
He said Belize has since achieved self-sufficiency in rice, beans, corn, chicken, soybeans and other products, allowing the country to feed itself during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he stressed that increased production alone will not guarantee regional food security.
The Minister also highlighted costly and inefficient shipping arrangements as a major obstacle to regional trade.
He explained that the absence of direct shipping routes between Belize and some Caribbean countries can force goods to travel through other destinations, increasing transportation costs and making regional products less competitive. He called on agriculture ministers to work toward practical solutions while questioning whether countries were fully benefiting from regional integration through the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) and the CARICOM Single Market and Economy (CSME).
Ferguson said Belize is strategically positioned to supply agricultural products to both Caribbean and Central American markets, but logistics remain a challenge. “Belize can send many products, but again, maybe the end result, the price could be a bit expensive because of logistics. We can sort it out. We can definitely come to our best possible solution,” he said.
He made the remarks during a plenary session on Achieving the Region’s Vision 2025+5 Initiative: The Roadmap for Regional Food Security and Food Systems Transformation, which brought together regional agriculture officials and representatives of international agricultural organizations.
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By Zoila Palma: Minister of Agriculture Rodwell Ferguson is urging Caribbean countries to change the perception that foreign-made products are automatically better than locally produced goods, stressing that regional food security depends on greater support for Caribbean businesses and improved trade links. Ferguson said consumers and businesses must recognize the quality of products made within
The post Minister of Agriculture urges Caribbean to support regional products and improve shipping links appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
