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Strengthening agricultural systems, supporting smallholder farmers, improving nutrition, and ensuring reliable access to affordable, safe food for all.
Focus Areas
CDB works closely with governments, research bodies, and financial institutions to create enabling environments that drive sustainable agricultural growth.
Example: A central initiative in this area is the “Strengthening the Framework for Intra-Regional Trade in Agricultural Products” project, which is being implemented by the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA). This programme is set to harmonise sanitary and phytosanitary measures across the region, remove trade barriers, and provide training to stakeholders along the value chain. Through this capacity building, farmers, exporters, and regulators will be better equipped to apply and uphold improved standards, fostering safer trade and stronger regional integration.
Access to reliable water for farming is vital for productivity and resilience. CDB supports projects that develop and expand irrigation and water management infrastructure.
Example: In Jamaica, the Bank approved USD 26 million in financing to expand the Essex Valley Agricultural Development Project, which now covers 810 hectares of arable land with upgraded irrigation and produce-handling systems. Similarly, in Haiti, a USD 7 million grant for the Community-Based Agriculture and Rural Development Project (Phase II) is helping to build water management systems for more than 300 hectares of farmland, raising productivity by 50% and benefiting over 3,000 citizens.
Recognising the transformative role of knowledge, the Bank, in collaboration with regional development partners, is piloting the Caribbean Agriculture Knowledge Portal. This centralised platform will connect farmers, entrepreneurs, extension officers, researchers, and policymakers, providing them with agricultural data, training resources, and collaboration opportunities. By facilitating access to climate-smart technologies, data-driven insights, and best practices, the Caribbean Agriculture Knowledge Portal is expected to boost productivity, enhance farm incomes, strengthen food security, and promote climate resilience across the region.
Export competitiveness is essential to reducing the region’s food import bill and unlocking growth opportunities. CDB’s interventions in trade policy and standards harmonisation support the production and export of high-quality crops that meet global and regional market requirements. By building capacity across the value chain, from farms to export facilities, the Bank helps agricultural producers expand their market reach, enhance resilience, and generate foreign exchange earnings.
While crop production has been a primary focus, CDB also recognises the role of fisheries in food security and rural livelihoods. Investments in sectoral governance, training, and market systems are integrated into the Bank’s broader agricultural agenda to ensure sustainable management of marine resources and to promote fishing as a viable contributor to nutrition and income generation in Borrowing Member Countries.