| Sumario: | In 2023, Barbados has made significant strides in its agricultural sector through collaboration with the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA). Key achievements include the establishment of the Barbados Innovation Center for Agriculture (BICA), modeled after Costa Rica's CIMAG, to promote technology and innovation in agriculture. Additionally, a Tabletop Simulation Exercise (TTSE) was conducted to prepare the country for potential pest threats like the tomato leafminer, enhancing emergency response capabilities. Furthermore, the Youth Farm 2023 program certified 25 young individuals in aquaculture, livestock, and poultry rearing, equipping them to contribute to the country's food security efforts. Eight Barbadian exporters participated in the Caribbean Virtual Agri-food Trade Mission, fostering regional trade and generating an estimated USD 1.3 million in business opportunities.Capacity-building activities focused on production and trade involved diverse sectors, with a specific emphasis on empowering individuals with disabilities and young entrepreneurs. Initiatives included enhancing papaya production, promoting apiculture, fish processing, and utilizing sargassum as an agricultural input. These efforts aim not only to boost sector productivity and competitiveness but also to promote sustainability and food security in Barbados.
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