Kingstown St. Vincent May 20, 2026 – Israel Bruce has warned that St Vincent and the Grenadines remains overly dependent on imported food, as he called for a new generation of farmers to help secure the country’s agricultural future.
Speaking at the launch of the Young Farmer Training Programme and Midterm Showcase, the agriculture minister said too much of what Vincentians consume is still being brought in from overseas while the country’s farming population continues to age.
“Too much of what we eat is imported and too many of our farmers are aging without a clear pathway for the next generation to take up the mantle,” Mr Bruce said.
The minister said the issue was not a lack of agricultural potential, but how quickly the country could organize itself to modernize and strengthen the sector.
“We also know our assets,” he said, pointing to fertile soil, the country’s agricultural heritage, innovation within the farming community and international partnerships, including support from Taiwan.
“The question therefore is not whether agriculture can adapt. It is how quickly and how well we organize ourselves to lead that adaptation,” he added.
The Young Farmer Training Programme is aimed at encouraging more young people to enter agriculture at a time when governments across the Caribbean are expressing concern about food security, rising import bills and the declining number of younger farmers entering the industry.
According to regional agricultural agencies, Caribbean countries collectively spend billions of US dollars annually on food imports, despite repeated efforts to increase local production and reduce dependence on external markets.
Successive administrations in St Vincent and the Grenadines have also promoted youth involvement in farming as part of wider efforts to improve food security and strengthen rural economies following recent global supply chain disruptions and climate-related challenges.
Mr Bruce said creating opportunities for young farmers would be critical to the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector.
His comments also reflected growing regional concerns about the age profile of farmers, with many experienced producers nearing retirement and fewer young people entering the profession.
The minister said St Vincent and the Grenadines possessed the resources and knowledge needed to transform agriculture but stressed that stronger organization and planning would determine how effectively the sector evolves in the coming years.