“Too much of what we eat is imported,” Bruce says at farmers’ project launch

By S.Browne. Updated 5:50 p.m., Wednesday, May 20, 2026, Atlantic Standard Time (GMT-4).

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Rural Transformation Israel Bruce highlighted St Vincent and the Grenadines’ heavy reliance on imported food at the launch of the Agricultural Productivity Recovery and Young Farmers’ Training Project, saying “too much of what we eat is imported.”

Speaking at the Orange Hill Agricultural Biotechnology Centre on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, Minister Bruce said the country continues to depend heavily on imported staples such as Irish potatoes, onions and garlic, warning that this undermines long-term food security.

“When we can produce enough to feed our people, that is what we mean when we speak to food security,” he said.

He stressed that food security is not simply about food being available on supermarket shelves, but about the country’s ability to consistently produce enough to meet national demand without excessive dependence on imports.

Bruce also distinguished between food security and food sovereignty, explaining that sovereignty refers to the ability of Vincentians to decide what is grown, how it is produced, and how the benefits are shared across communities.

The Minister said the programme is designed to address key challenges in the agricultural sector, including an ageing farming population and declining youth participation, by positioning agriculture as a modern, technology-driven industry.

He said young farmers must be exposed to digital tools, data-driven systems and climate-smart practices, including the use of sensors, drones and other modern technologies.

“We are inviting them to step into a future-facing industry,” he said.
Bruce emphasised that agriculture must increasingly be viewed as agribusiness, where profitability, efficiency and market access are central to sustainability.

He pointed to student-led innovations such as breadfruit tacos and dasheen chips as examples of how the sector can move beyond raw production into higher-value, processed goods.

The Minister also disclosed that discussions are under way with business interests in the United States regarding potential export opportunities for St Vincent and the Grenadines’ agricultural produce, including hot peppers and dasheen, with demand reportedly emerging in markets such as Atlanta.

He said the government is working to improve market access for farmers through better logistics, storage systems and more reliable supply chains to support consistent production.

The three-year programme (2025–2027) is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture in partnership with the Taiwan Technical Mission. It carries a total budget of just over US $3.1 million, with approximately US $2.5 million provided by Taiwan and around US $630,000 contributed by St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The initiative aims to train up to 75 young farmers over its lifespan, with the first cohort comprising 15 participants.

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