GEORGETOWN, Guyana (CMC) — The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has recognised students from St Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago and Belize for their interest in the agricultural sector, as efforts continue to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by the end of this year.

The students from the Georgetown High School of St Vincent and the Grenadines, Mopan Technical High School of Belize, and Pleasantville Secondary School of Trinidad and Tobago, took the top three prizes respectively in the Caricom High School Agriculture Video Competition 2024.
The Guyana-based Caricom Secretariat said that the competition was held to generate interest in agriculture at the secondary school level, as the region works towards reducing its food import bill.

There were 43 submissions from high schools across the region.

Senior Economic Adviser to the Caricom Secretary-General Dr Wendell Samuel, in congratulating the winners, said that it was evident that young people are not only thinking about the future but are actively shaping it.

“The Caribbean Community has made it a priority to achieve the 25 by 2025 regional food and nutrition security goals, which are focused on enhancing food security, increasing the sustainability of our food systems, and promoting resilience across our region.”

“We know that we cannot reach these ambitious goals without the creativity, innovation, and the energy of young people like you. You are not just the future of agriculture, you are the present,” he said.

Samuel also acknowledged the “invaluable contribution” of the school teachers who provided support and mentorship, adding, “You are the guides who encourage curiosity, nurture talent and champion the potential of youth. Thank you for your unwavering dedication to this important cause.”

Director of External and Institutional Relations of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), Beverly Best, who addressed the ceremony, praised the students for their creativity, dedication and hard work.

“We trust this is just the beginning of your journey to greatness, as we urge you to keep pushing boundaries to inspire and captivate audiences — especially other young people, by telling powerful stories about the endless possibilities of this sector.”