The Caribbean Community Resilient Agriculture Forum (CCRAF) is hitting the road for the first time in Saint Lucia, taking its message of climate-smart farming and community resilience directly to those driving change on the ground.
The initiative, titled CCRAF on the Road, officially began on October 20, marking the start of a week-long series of activities aimed at promoting sustainable agriculture and climate resilience across the island.
Organised by the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) to mark CCRAF’s 10th anniversary, the initiative forms part of IICA’s Resilient Agriculture Programme, which promotes regional adaptation and sustainability through knowledge sharing and field-based engagement.
“Normally CCRAF activities tend to be virtual, but CCRAF on the Road is different,” explained Gregg Rawlins, IICA’s representative to the OECS and Eastern Caribbean States. “They are actually coming to the countries, interacting with stakeholders, going into schools, engaging with communities and farmers. We’re not just sharing knowledge — we’re taking the process to the ground, to people on the ground.”
The week-long programme features a mix of community outreach, technical exchanges, policy dialogues, and youth engagement. Activities include school visits, sessions on pest and disease management, soil and water conservation, stakeholder meetings with national agencies and NGOs, and a public showcase of local innovations advancing Saint Lucia’s resilience goals.
At its core, CCRAF on the Road aims to strengthen regional networks and highlight the tangible impact of the forum’s work over the past decade — from building partnerships and technical capacity to promoting sustainable practices that empower Caribbean people.
Dr Chaney St Martin, CCRAF Co-Coordinator and international technical specialist in water and soil management at IICA, said the initiative reflects a shift towards practical action.
“We really take a community approach to things,” he said. “We recognise that one of our major challenges is that we do too much talking and less action — and so that is what we are evolving the CCRAF to do.”
Nekelia Gregorie Carai, Technical Specialist in Water and Soil and CCRAF Coordinator, added that the forum’s reach is set to expand even further.
“To further enhance knowledge sharing and learning, we are seeking to extend the CCRAF to Africa and Latin America, as there is a lot to learn and exchange with these regions,” she said. “We also want to strengthen the engagement and exposure of youth in agriculture through a dedicated youth-focused series, starting with colleges across the region.” she said.
The Saint Lucia leg of the initiative is supported by several sponsors and partners. The World University Service of Canada (WUSC) serves as the Sustainability Catalyst Sponsor. The Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions and Fleur Ruffkeeham (Michaela Branford) have come on board as Community Ally Sponsors. Key local collaborators include the Sir Arthur Lewis Community College (SALCC), the TVET Council, and the Camille Henry Memorial School.
Bradley St Ange, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, said the initiative provides a crucial platform for youth engagement in agriculture.
“I’m hoping that we can touch the young persons,” he said. “Because we all know that our farmer population is aging, and this is very serious — we need the young persons on board.”
Following its stop in Saint Lucia, the CCRAF on the Road tour will continue in the coming weeks to St Vincent and the Grenadines and Dominica, as the movement expands its outreach across the Eastern Caribbean.
