CARICOM has taken a significant step towards bolstering food security and protecting farmers against climate-related risks with the launch of the Regional Economic Agricultural Insurance Programme (REAP).

This initiative, driven by the private sector, marks a milestone in the region's efforts to provide agricultural insurance for farmers across CARICOM member states.

The REAP initiative includes the participation of Barbados, Dominica, Guyana, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in its initial phase.

Assistant Gen. Sec. Cox commended these nations for their pioneering efforts and extended special congratulations to the Ministerial Taskforce on Food and Nutrition Security for their dedication.

“Changes in weather patterns, heavier rainfall, and harsher dry seasons continue to have disastrous effects on the agriculture sector output and productivity,” he said, making reference to the devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Maria.

The REAP initiative aims to enhance food sovereignty and economic resilience by enabling farmers to invest in sustainable and resilient practices, mitigating climate-related risks, and facilitating quick recovery from natural disasters.

“Agriculture insurance stands as a key component of CARICOM’s strategy to combat the adverse effects of climate change on agriculture and work towards the targets of the 25% by 2025 Initiative.”