The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing agricultural innovation and regional collaboration through the hosting of the inaugural Next Generation Sweet Potato Production in the Caribbean – Annual Project Virtual Symposium 2025.
The event held via zoom on Tuesday October 15, 2025, brought together more than 90 participants from the Bahamas to Suriname. These included technical experts, policymakers, farmers, and research partners from 13 Caribbean islands to explore harnessing plant and soil microbial genetic diversity to improve sweet potato production in Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and St. Lucia.
Funded by the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture Benefit-sharing Fund and co-funded by the European Union, the project is implemented by IICA in collaboration with, CARDI and the Ministries of Agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda, St Lucia, and Jamaica.
In his opening remarks, Gregg Rawlins, IICA Representative in the Eastern Caribbean States, underscored that the project aligns with CARICOM’s 25 by 25+5 Initiative, which aims to reduce regional food imports by 25 percent by 2030.
“By improving access to clean, high-quality planting materials and introducing stress-tolerant and pest-resistant varieties, this initiative is helping to build a stronger, more self-reliant Caribbean,” Mr. Rawlins said. “It’s about more than productivity – it’s about empowering women, youth, and differently abled persons to lead in transforming our agricultural systems for future generations.”
He also commended the dedication of the project teams across Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and St. Lucia, recognising their progress in establishing a community of practice and advancing research on virus-free cultivars and biocontrol for the sweet potato weevil Cylas formicarius..
Representing the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Juan Cheaz, Trade and Markets Officer and Acting FAO Representative in Barbados, highlighted sweet potato’s versatility and resilience as a strategic crop for the region.
“Sweet potato thrives in our soils, withstands drought and heat, and provides vital nutrients to our communities,” he said. “It connects directly to our goals for food security, climate resilience, and inclusive rural development. To unlock its full potential, we must ensure that
farmers have consistent and reliable access to clean planting materials. This is the foundation of productivity.”
He noted that FAO remains committed to working alongside IICA, the International Potato Centre (CIP), and Caribbean countries to strengthen clean seed systems, scale up innovation, and transform knowledge into tangible results for farmers and consumers alike.
Gregory Bailey, Director of Agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda and Chair of the Project Steering Committee, reflected on the crop’s heritage and enduring importance across the region.
“Sweet potato is more than a crop it is a symbol of resilience, heritage, and sustenance for our people,” he said. “Today’s symposium is not just about reflection but renewal to strengthen collaboration and foster a Caribbean community of practice, where knowledge and innovation flow freely. We are building more than a network; we are cultivating a shared vision for sustainable agriculture.”
The symposium featured a keynote presentation from Dr. Alexandre Mello, Genetic Resources Scientist at the International Potato Centre (CIP), who shared insights on sweet potato genetic diversity and its potential to address global food and climate challenges.
The symposium sessions focused on plant and microbial genetic resources utilisation under the Next Generation Sweet Potato Project. Presentations from national project teams highlighted year-one achievements, followed by breakout discussions on sweet potato weevil biocontrol and sweet potato genetic resources, allowing participants to exchange experiences and propose collaborative strategies for scaling up research and farmer engagement.
Launched between October 2024 and February 2025, the Next Generation Sweet Potato Project has already identified 12 farmer-preferred cultivars in Antigua and Barbuda and St. Lucia for virus cleaning and conservation. Work is also underway on identifying native strains of sweet potato weevil biocontrol fungi and conducting baseline surveys to guide field evaluations in Jamaica. More than 100 technicians have been trained in clean seed systems, biocontrol, and sweet potato clean seed systems, strengthening regional capacity for innovation.
