With the exception of Haiti, the sensationalized issues of hunger reported in certain parts of the developing world are largely unknown in the Caribbean. Despite this, there are growing concerns about the state of food security in the region, as declining domestic production and increased dependence on imported food create vulnerability. This study examines some of the contemporary issues impacting food production and food and nutrition security in the CARICOM region of the Caribbean. The authors focus on enhancing domestic food production as the most appropriate way to improve food security and discuss strategies for building capacity in local food production systems. The book is the product of over ten years of research by the authors. It will be of interest to scholars and students of Caribbean geography, cultural geography, food and agricultural geography, and food security.

The last decade has seen a growing body of research about globalization and climate change in the Caribbean. This collection is a significant addition to the literature on a topic that is of critical importance to the region. It explores research from a number of Caribbean islands dealing with a range of issues related to agriculture and food in the context of globalization and climate change. Using a broad livelihoods perspective, the impacts on rural livelihoods are explored as well as issues related to community level resilience, adaptability and adaptations. The volume is strengthened by gendered analyses of issues and discussions informed by a diverse range of research methods and methodologies. Scholars of Caribbean studies and studies pertaining to social, cultural, economic and environmental issues facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) will greatly benefit from this book.

This book provides a multilayered analysis of food import dependency and its impact on food security in the Caribbean region. The study analyses the main impact of trade liberalization in the Caribbean within the WTO framework and main policy mechanisms to support domestic food production in order to reduce food import dependency. Moreover, the author evaluates economic and social benefits of food self-sufficiency as a strategy aimed to improve domestic food production by increased availability of locally produced food products.

Food security is a pressing concern in the Caribbean. Caribbean countries produce and export crops including sugar, bananas, and coffee, but this archipelago of states relies heavily on imported food when it comes to nourishing the Caribbean population. As much as 80% of the food consumed is imported. This is because the region does not have a robust domestic food crop or livestock sector. Much of the imported food is processed: high in sugar, fat, and salt. As a result, the region now has one of the highest rates of obesity in the Americas. And there are, as a consequence, heightened incidences of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and hypertension. This negatively impacts the resources and budgets of health facilities in the Caribbean, which in turn hurts the developmental prospects of these Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Food Security in the Caribbean breaks down the concept of food security in all of its dimensions and critically analyzes the state of food security within four specific pillars: availability, access, utilization, and stability. Offering insights into key trends in food production, consumption, and access, the book combines data from the CARICOM Secretariat, Ministries of Agriculture, and other relevant institutions. Chapters highlight the historical and structural conditioning of the Caribbean agriculture sector as an exporter of select tropical commodities and overreliance on imports for domestic food consumption. Chapters critically examine the fitness of purpose of regional and national institutional frameworks, investment in infrastructure, land reform, and the development of appropriate agricultural research, technology, and extension systems. There is an examination of the role of neoliberal policies and the directives of international funding institutions. The authors also address important and emerging challenges posed by COVID-19 and supply chain issues resulting from international conflicts, such as the one in Ukraine. This is an invaluable resource for economic researchers, policymakers, practitioners, and students interested in addressing the complex challenges of food security in the Caribbean region and beyond.

This text presents an analysis of the agricultural and food-producing sector of the English-speaking Caribbean island economies, set in historical perspective. It discusses the reasons for the relative decline of this sector, and the failure of policy proposals for its resuscitation. Issues examined include: the legacy of the plantation economy, which emphasizes luxury export crops over basic food production; the reliance on multinational donor funding for economic development, and the resulting manipulation of agricultural projects by such external agencies; and liberalization of the market economy leading to more underdevelopment of the region and dependence on the international market system.

Agricultural trade is a major factor determining food security in Caribbean countries. In these small open economies, exports are essential, whilst imports provide a large part of the food supply. This book examines various dimensions of trade policy and related issues and suggests policies to address trade and food security and rural development linkages. It is as a guide and reference documents for agricultural trade policy analysts, trade negotiators, policy-makers and planners in both the public and private sectors.