CARICOM: More investment needed to boost resilience against disasters

By Halshane Burke 

  

Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Carla Barnett, has underscored the need for greater investment in the region to bolster its resilience against natural disasters.

 

She was addressing Thursday's launch of the 2024 Caribbean Investment Forum in Guyana against the backdrop of the passage of Hurricane Beryl last week.

 

The CARICOM Secretary General said investment to protect the agricultural sector is important to ensure food security. 

 

"Private sector investment in sustainable agriculture is now crucial to bolster advantages and address challenges especially since the Beryl has now caused significant setbacks. The objective is to channel investments into sustainable agricultural projects that modernise farming, introduce technological innovations and improve market access for existing and for new agri products," she said. 

 

"Importantly we are prioritising investments that are climate resilient - those investments which integrate improved farming techniques to address the region's vulnerability to hurricanes, floods, droughts and rising sea levels that cause salination and loss of arable lands," added Dr. Barnett.