By Robert Andre Emmanuel
Antigua and Barbuda has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Venezuela in the hopes of boosting the country’s food independence.
ALBA-TCP, formerly known as the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – Peoples’ Trade Treaty, is a regional organization comprising member nations of Cuba, Nicaragua, Boliva, Venezuela, Antigua and Barbuda, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, and Dominica.
The agreement, signed yesterday at ALBA-TCP headquarters, aims to strengthen agricultural cooperation and support national development.
The deal is part of what is known as AgroAlba, an agreement for around 25 acres of land in Venezuela acquired by Antigua and Barbuda, allowing local farmers and farming companies access to the land for farming pursuits.
The first of these agreements was signed by St Vincent and the Grenadines on November 6.
During the event, Jorge Arreaza, Executive Secretary of ABLA-TCP expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Gaston Browne “for his trust in ALBA, his trust in Venezuela, and, of course, for taking the initiative to join Agro-Alba”.
According to ABLA-TCP press release, Arreaza underscored the importance of uniting efforts in the “production of food for life, which can contribute to the social prosperity of our peoples, our youth, and the future of Caribbean nations”.
Yvan Gil Pinto, Minister of the People’s Power for Foreign Affairs of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, remarked, “This is a project that not only supports the food sovereignty of ALBA countries but also represents an important economic development opportunity for the agricultural sector of our people.”
Venezuela’s People’s Power Minister for Productive Agriculture and Lands, Menry Fernández, affirmed that this memorandum “will ensure for our people the greatest possible happiness and the highest levels of agro-food security and sovereignty”.
Minister for Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries, and Blue Economy, Anthony Smith Jr, highlighted that “these are critical programmes designed to combat poverty and support the eradication of social challenges … they also help promote the active participation of our citizens in defending our independence and sovereignty as ALBA members, based on solidarity and cooperation.”
