IICA reps meet with Bahamas agriculture minister to continue distribution to farmers in wake of Hurricane Melissa

The Minister of Agriculture and Marine Resources of The Bahamas, Jomo Campbell, alongside Mari Dunleavy, the Representative of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in The Bahamas, and her team, received agricultural inputs intended for distribution within the district of Exuma. This initiative aims to support farmers affected by Hurricane Melissa, sahred an IICA press release.

Hurricane Melissa, which struck the Caribbean in October, resulted in numerous fatalities and extensive damage across the region, including The Bahamas.  As per the release, the storm’s impact prompted regional and international efforts to aid recovery, with IICA playing a critical role in facilitating the procurement of essential supplies for farmers on Long Island, one of the islands forming the archipelago.

Minister Campbell expressed his gratitude for IICA’s ongoing collaboration, reaffirming the Ministry’s dedication to fostering resilience within the agricultural sector and emphasizing the importance of future cooperation projects to bolster agriculture in The Bahamas.

“Through its Ministry of Agriculture and Marine Resources, The Bahamas has been promoting a series of strategic initiatives aimed at strengthening local food security, reducing dependence on imports, and fostering more sustainable and resilient agricultural and fisheries production, and IICA is committed to supporting these initiatives”, Dunleavy remarked.

Under Minister Campbell’s leadership, these policies aim not only to increase local food production but also to generate employment, support farmers and fisherfolk, and ensure the population’s access to fresh, affordable produce remains stable.

Key initiatives include sustainable agriculture projects and hydroponics systems implemented across several islands in the Bahamas. Additionally, programs providing direct support to producers—such as inputs, livestock, and technical assistance—continue to advance. Efforts are also underway to reconnect local producers with distributors, thereby strengthening the national value chains.

Reportedly, the Ministry has placed a significant emphasis on training and development for the next generation. Educational programs and partnerships with institutions specializing in agriculture and marine sciences are designed to attract young people to the productive sector and promote its long-term sustainability.

In the health sector, the Agricultural Health and Food Safety Authority has been bolstered by the addition of mobile laboratories and enhanced phytosanitary control capabilities.

According to IICA, these measures help protect crops, improve quality standards, and facilitate access for Bahamian products to overseas markets, ensuring the continued growth and competitiveness of the country’s agricultural sector.