The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine Campus, and the Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency (CAHFSA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening food safety, agricultural health and climate resilience across the Caribbean.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in research, education, professional development, student training and technical cooperation as the region faces increasing challenges from climate change, emerging pests and diseases, food safety risks and disruptions to global supply chains.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chair of the Committee of Deans at The UWI St. Augustine Campus, Dr. Acolla Lewis-Cameron, said the partnership comes at a critical time, highlighting the interconnected relationship between human, animal and environmental health.
She said collaborative efforts to identify, assess and mitigate emerging threats, including food safety hazards, will strengthen the region’s ability to protect agricultural productivity and public health.
CAHFSA Chief Executive Officer Dr. Garvin Peters said one of the key initiatives under the agreement is the establishment of a Regional Centre for Laboratory Training and Food Authenticity Testing.
He explained that the facility is intended to address regional deficiencies in food fraud detection and food testing, helping to ensure that food available to consumers is safe.
Also addressing the ceremony, Advisor to the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Ravi Pooran Maharaj, said agricultural health and food safety have become essential to food security, public health, trade competitiveness and economic resilience.
He noted that stronger collaboration among governments, universities and technical agencies is necessary to develop practical solutions while preparing the next generation of professionals to lead the agricultural sector.
Under the three-year agreement, The UWI and CAHFSA will pursue joint research projects, academic exchanges, student supervision, staff development and public education initiatives. The MOU also outlines provisions for future collaboration on research, publications, intellectual property and project implementation.
Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Professor Mark Wuddivira, said the partnership reflects a shared commitment to improving agricultural health and ensuring safer food systems across the region.
“If it is not safe, it cannot be nutritious, it cannot be healthy and it cannot be food,” he said.
Officials say the collaboration is expected to support safer food systems, healthier crops and livestock, stronger agricultural resilience and more informed policymaking throughout the Caribbean.