(Loop News) The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) is set to receive much-needed help from India to combat several challenges facing the region.
Speaking at the opening of the second India-CARICOM summit in Guyana today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi used the acronym of the 15-member regional group to highlight how India will support the region’s future development.
“We have made efforts to work together with CARICOM to address these challenges, whether it was COVID or natural disasters, capacity building or development work. India has moved forward shoulder to shoulder with all of you as a trustworthy partner,” Modi said.
The first of the seven pillars of the India-CARICOM relationship involves India providing the Caribbean with assistance to build capacity in several areas.
India is planning to grant 1,000 additional ITEC scholarships over the next five years to promote the technical training and skill development of Caribbean youth.
The technical development centre in Belize will also be expanded so it can be accessed by all CARICOM countries.
“The second pillar is A. A stands for agriculture and food security. With technologies such as drones, digital farming, farm mechanisation and soil testing, India is transforming its agriculture sector. We are focussing on nano-fertilisers and on natural farming as well. In order to improve food security, we are promoting millets,” the Indian PM said.
“On India’s initiative, the UN declared the year 2023 as the International Year of Millets. Millets are a superfood that can grow in any kind of climate. For CARICOM countries as well, this can become an effective means of addressing climate change and also improving food security.”
In the area of health, Modi said India is prepared to assist regional countries deal with non-communicable diseases, which are a high priority for the region.
Modi said is also willing to share technology with Caribbean states that will enable them to harvest sargassum seaweed, which has been a plague for many years, to use as fertiliser.
