Minister of Agriculture Zulfikar Mustapha has called for greater focus on the use of technology in the food production system, more involvement of women and youth in agriculture, and creating resilient and climate-protected agri-food systems in Latin America and the Caribbean.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Agriculture, Mustapha made these remarks at the closing of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisa-tion (FAO) 38th Regional Conference for Latin America and the Caribbean (LARC-38), which was held in Georgetown, Guyana from March 18 to 21. Mustapha was elected to serve as the chairman over the next two years.
Chairing the ministerial session, Mustapha said participants were able to delve into critical issues affecting the region, the release said.
“Over the past four days, we have witnessed remarkable discussions, collaborations, and insights that have undoubtedly enriched our collective understanding and efforts. Throughout this conference, we delved into critical issues affecting our region, from advancing fisheries and aquaculture towards sustainability under the Blue Transfor-mation approach; targeted investment for resilient, sustainable and inclusive agri-food systems under the Hand-in-Hand Initia-tive; reducing hunger and malnutrition for today and tomorrow through trade as the strategic driver of food security in the region; agri-food systems transformation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in Latin America and the Carib-bean; addressing the challenges of water-forest biodiversity-soil nexus in a climate change context; and foresight drivers and triggers relevant for Latin America and the Caribbean,” the release quoted him as saying.
According to the release, Mustapha indicated that technology, women and youth in agriculture, and creating resilient and climate-protected agri-food systems are central to the task going forward and further pointed out that decision-making must be data-driven as far as possible.
Meanwhile, the release said, FAO Assistant Director General and Regional Representative for Latin America and the Carib-bean, Mario Lubetkin, said the 33 countries of Latin America and the Caribbean are united in achieving food security for all and that the conference has innovated ways to transform agri-food systems based on FAO’s four betters (production, nutrition, environment, and life). He also disclosed, the release said, that countries had approved the regional priorities to transform the agri-food systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. “In line with the FAO’s Strategic Framework and the commitment to supporting the 2030 Agenda, countries approved the regional priorities to transform the agri-food systems to become more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable. These priorities are interconnected and ensure that no one is left behind,” Lubetkin was quoted as saying.
According to the release, he also said that member states have identified several critical themes for advancing the agenda of eradicating hunger and poverty while enhancing countries’ capacity to attract targeted investments through implementing the Hand-in-Hand initiative. Additionally, he noted that member states have recognized the urgent need to build resilience in the Caribbean, particularly for SIDS, given the multiple shocks and risks they face, including the escalating threat of climate change.
Back in April 2022, during LARC-37, the ministry said, Guyana was nominated to host this year’s conference. Guyana’s inaugural hosting of the conference came at a time when the country is playing the leading role in agriculture and food security in Caricom, the release said.
It noted that the ministerial session was attended by 719 participants from 33 members, including one head of state; one prime minister; one deputy prime minister; 28 ministers; 14 vice-ministers; five permanent secretaries; 15 ambassadors; three observer members; representatives of eight UN organizations; 13 intergovernmental organizations; six civil society organizations; one Parliamentary Front against Hunger representative; six private sector organizations; and 10 scientific and academic organizations.
Mustapha will serve as the chairman for the next regional conference scheduled for Brazil in 2026, leading up to which, the FAO will host several high-level meetings and conferences as part of a series of follow-up sessions to discuss the progress made in implementing the interventions and recommendations discussed during LARC-38, the release said. The next high-level meeting is scheduled for May 2024 in Chile, it added.
