Regional Leaders Push Agricultural Resilience at Dominican Republic Meeting

Belize is strengthening its position within regional agriculture and food security initiatives following the participation of Minister of Agriculture, Food Security and New Growth Industries, Rodwell Ferguson, in key high-level meetings in the Dominican Republic.

Ferguson has returned to the country after attending the Ordinary Meeting of the Central American Agricultural Council, held April 8 and 9 in Santo Domingo. The meeting forms part of the broader framework of the Central American Integration System, where agriculture ministers are advancing a coordinated agenda to boost resilience, sustainability, and competitiveness across the region’s agri-food sector.  At the meeting, regional leaders reaffirmed their commitment to joint action in tackling shared challenges, particularly those impacting rural communities. Among the major proposals discussed was the establishment of a Regional Agricultural Financing and Insurance System, designed to improve farmers’ access to credit, reduce production risks, and enhance long-term resilience.  Ministers also reviewed a regional initiative to transform coffee farming through more sustainable and climate-resilient practices. The effort is being supported by the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, with a focus on promoting low-emission and environmentally sustainable agricultural systems.  The discussions further highlighted pressing challenges facing the agri-food sector, including global economic pressures, climate variability, and the anticipated impacts of the 2026–2027 El Niño phenomenon. Food safety and public health concerns were also raised, underscoring the need for strengthened regional coordination to protect food systems.  In line with SICA’s intersectoral approach, ministers advanced collaboration between agriculture and environmental sectors, aimed at developing sustainable systems that balance production with ecosystem protection. Updates were also provided on the region’s One Health Strategy, which integrates health, environmental, and agricultural priorities.  The meetings also included intersectoral and tripartite sessions involving agriculture, environment, and health officials, reinforcing a unified regional response to emerging threats and opportunities within the agri-food sector.