00:00COCAREEP is the result of three years of consistent work between the Caribbean Agricultural Research
00:06and Development Institute and the Rural Development Administration of Korea.
00:11The agricultural platform is set to facilitate joint research, technology exchange and capacity
00:16building while also enabling cooperation in science and policy discussions.
00:22Executive Director of Cardia Ansari Hussain calls it a very important partnership and
00:27says in the first instance co-carry projects will be implemented in Guyana, Belize, Dominica
00:33and of course TNT.
00:35We have already started work on developing projects related to post harvest and improving
00:44the technology transfer process and we have already held some virtual capacity building
00:50session along these lines across regional stakeholders involved.
00:56These actions are consistent with our drive to develop or introduce and promote innovative
01:02tech driven agri solutions.
01:06Deputy Administrator of the RDA, Dr. Huon So, calls it a pivotal milestone towards advancing
01:12sustainable development by way of cooperation within the region.
01:16Through initiatives in food security, climate change adaptations and the capacity building
01:23program, co-carry aims to strengthen agricultural research and innovation in Caribbean regions.
01:31Korea is preparing to share its accumulated R&D experience with Caribbean countries to promote agricultural
01:40productivity and sustainable development.
01:44He says stakeholders from both sides including farmers, policy makers and industry operatives
01:50will work together for the purpose of driving innovations in agriculture.
01:54Korea's Ambassador to TNT, Sejong Kwon is looking forward to what will stem from co-carry.
02:00The Caribbean with its rich natural resources and strong agricultural heritage has cultivated diverse crops and developed agricultural heritage.
02:12It has no-how, yet the region also faces pressing challenges, climate change, high dependence on food imports and limited agricultural investment.
02:28According to Agriculture Minister Ravi Rathiram, co-carry is in line with the national vision for TNT.
02:35to modernize agriculture, strengthen food and nutrition security, and create sustainable livelihood for rural communities.
02:44We are especially proud to host you for the field visits to our research and propagation stations at Centeno and La Reunion,
02:54where you will witness the dedication of our scientists and technicians in advancing plant breeding, pest management and propagation techniques.
03:03And Assistant Secretary General of CARICOM, Dr. Wendell Samuel, sees it as being important to the reduction of the region's food import bill by 2030.
03:12It is through these innovative initiatives that we can build a competitive agricultural sector that attracts young farmers
03:22and help to relax the constraints of limited land space and limited labour supply that many of our countries face.
03:31High-level exchanges are expected to take place between stakeholders over the next two days.
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