Strategic investments in the agriculture sector are a catalyst for sustainable, economic growth and poverty reduction. Through their partnership, the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) have produced this comprehensive study on the State of Agriculture in the Caribbean, drawing upon decades of research on the many drivers of change affecting the CDB’s Borrowing Member Countries (BMCs), including international trade, institutional policies, and climate change. This report follows forty years of structural change in the agriculture sector of BMCs, and can support the development of an updated Agriculture Sector Strategy, by identifying key trends in agriculture in BMCs, and the related opportunities for investments in support of growth, poverty reduction, and sustainability. The Study concludes that agriculture can be an important source for economic growth and a key contributor to poverty reduction, particularly for households that are profiting less from the growth in other sectors. Through the promotion of inclusive and sustainable agricultural development, CDB can play an instrumental role in supporting BMCs in meeting their SDGs targets particularly in relation to socio-economic and environmental challenges, including poverty (SDG1) food and nutrition insecurity (SDG2), obesity (SDG3), youth unemployment (SDG8), resilient infrastructure (SDG9), gender inequality (SDG5), sustainable use of natural resources, and climate change (SDG13).

This report supports the development of the new Caribbean Development Bank's agricultural policy and strategy by identifying key trends in agriculture in Borrowing Member Countries, as well as opportunities for investment to promote growth and ensure sustainability. It also identifies new value chain opportunities, including the tourism industry, the growing yachting sector, and domestic cassava value chains. Today, countries face major challenges as they strive to improve the competitiveness of their agricultural sector. However, there is great potential for strengthening market linkages and helping farmers, fishers, and agri-food businesses catch up with current technologies. Through the promotion of inclusive and sustainable agricultural development, the bank can contribute to overcoming major socio-economic and environmental challenges in the region, including food and nutrition insecurity and youth unemployment. The study concludes that the bank can play an instrumental role in supporting countries in meeting their Sustainable Development Goal targets - particularly with regard to socio-economic and environmental challenges - including poverty (SDG 1) food and nutrition insecurity (SDG 2), obesity (SDG 3), youth unemployment (SDG 8), resilient infrastructure (SDG 9), gender inequality (SDG 5), sustainable use of natural resources, and climate change (SDG 13).

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.