OECS at critical turning point for food security

Published on September 14, 2026

The OECS Commission, in partnership with the Government of Grenada, successfully convened the second Youth and Women in Agriculture Symposium from 1 to 3 September 2026.

The event signalled an extraordinary turning point for regional food security, bringing together over 150 passionate young farmers, women, and differently-abled agricultural stakeholders from Grenada and across OECS Member States to turn policy discussions into concrete regional trade and structural commitments.

Centering on the theme, “Youth and Women Driving Agricultural Transformation: Sewing Resilience, Reaping Prosperity,” the three-day symposium confronted major regional vulnerabilities. With the Caribbean currently importing the overwhelming majority of its food at an annual cost of US$658 million, regional leaders emphasised that agricultural self-reliance is no longer just an industry preference, but a vital element of regional sovereignty.

The symposium highlighted the critical support of international partners, notably the European Union through the 11th EDF RIGHT (Regional Integration through Growth Harmonisation and Technology) programme that financed much of the OECS’s work in the agricultural sector.