The collaborative Caribbean platform on global agri-environmental health for development in the Caribbean - CARIBGREEN

Issues

The region is characterised by the major economic and social importance of the agricultural sector. The biodiversity-rich Caribbean territories have at times been severely affected by the massive use of pesticides, including some very persistent ones such as chlordecone that have caused long-term soil contamination. There are thus some major issues and opportunities for developing the agricultural sector around value chains based on global environmental health, to be restored and preserved. An agroecological production system that limits inputs also contributes to the shift towards more virtuous food systems. The sectoral approach to the different types of health (environmental, plant, animal, human) is now inappropriate. Operationalising new interdisciplinary and multi-sectoral “One Health” approaches remains a challenge that the CaribGREEN project is designed to address at the Caribbean level.

Description

CaribGREEN is based on two major animal and plant health networks for the Caribbean, which bring together more than 30 island and continental countries and territories. The goal of the project is to structure and establish the proof of concept for a collaborative Caribbean platform in agri-environment and health. It also involves key partners from sectors concerned by agroecological transitions.

This robust regional partnership built over several decades brings together Caribbean partners involved in research, innovation and training in agricultural, environmental and health sciences, with the main institutions in the Caribbean. Pooling their expertise enables the implementation of collaborative, interdisciplinary and multi sectoral approaches in order to identify innovative solutions to the challenges of developing the agricultural sector.

Among the activities funded, the focus will be on integrating agri-environmental components into agricultural systems, as well as optimising interventions in animal, human and plant health through emergency preparedness, better early warning systems and disease surveillance.

Expected Results

This project will help to promote and integrate agroecological practices in the region through better collaboration between the existing regional health and agroecology networks. This improved collaboration will be supported by an informative and collaborative platform.

The creation of this collaborative operational platform will serve as an incubator for cross-cutting projects that will inform a common “One Health” strategy and vision for the region, which is likely to receive new funding, while improving the health of the territories.