Jamaica is set to lead the region in agricultural innovation with the establishment of the Caribbean’s first IICA Fab Lab, a state-of-the-art space designed to drive research, technology adoption and creative solutions in agriculture.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture in a news release, the initiative was confirmed during a bilateral meeting between a Jamaican delegation, led by portfolio minister Floyd Green, and Dr Manuel Otero, Director General of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) at the 19th Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) currently taking place in St Kitts and Nevis.

Minister Green said the establishment of the IICA Fab Lab advances Jamaica’s clear intent to modernise agriculture and strengthen its leadership role in the region.

“Jamaica is making it clear that agriculture is a national priority and we are determined to lead the region on a new trajectory of innovation and resilience,” he said. “Through this collaboration with IICA, we are investing in our farmers and agri-preneurs at home and also positioning Jamaica as a hub for regional and global agricultural advancement,” Green said.

The confirmation of the Fab Lab in Jamaica followed Dr Otero’s formal announcement at the opening ceremony of CWA on September 29. In his address, Dr Otero emphasised the importance of science and technology to the region’s future.

“Given the importance of science, technology and innovation as a central pillar for agriculture development, during my tenure I have continued CARDI’s direct annual subvention of US$200,000 to support CARDI in executing priority regional projects. I am pleased to announce that by the end of this year, we will be completing the first phase of a regional centre of excellence for agricultural innovation located in Jamaica, but with the purpose of serving the entire region,” Dr Otero said.

A Fab Lab is a digital fabrication laboratory, equipped with state-of-the-art technology, where Internet of Things (IoT) equipment is designed and produced for specific applications; in this case, agriculture. These centers inspire creativity, promote education and foster continuous learning. The IICA Fab Lab in Jamaica will also provide training and hands-on opportunities for farmers, youth and entrepreneurs to learn about the use and application of modern technologies in agriculture, helping to build the skills needed to advance food security and competitiveness.

In addition to advancing the IICA Fab Lab initiative, the bilateral meeting between Jamaica and IICA also addressed strengthening IICA’s cooperation with Jamaica in soil management, agriculture and culture-based projects, soil degradation and disaster preparedness, productivity, investment and innovation and market access.

The IICA Fab Lab builds on IICA’s broader efforts to transform food systems under the Caricom’s Vision 25 x 2025+5 Initiative, which seeks to reduce the region’s food import bill by 25 per cent by the year 2030. It also aligns with Jamaica’s national goals of food security, climate resilience and rural prosperity.