OECS regional agricultural and digital initiatives

The Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Commission and the Government of Grenada held the second Youth and Women in Agriculture Symposium in St. George’s. The event brought together over 150 stakeholders to discuss regional food security, noting that the Caribbean imports most of its food at an annual cost of US$658 million.

The symposium focused on transitioning agriculture into a technology-driven agribusiness sector through the use of artificial intelligence, precision drones, and digital marketing. Earlier preparations for the event emphasized training in agribusiness development, climate-resilient farming, and leadership to increase regional participation among women and youth.

In a related regional development, the OECS Commission announced the 2026 application period for the Advanced Digital Skills Scholarship Programme. Funded by the World Bank via the Caribbean Digital Transformation Project, the program aims to address specialized digital competency shortages across several member states, including Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Anguilla.