(Prensa Latina) The governments of Venezuela and Antigua and Barbuda signed a memorandum of understanding in Caracas as part of the strategy to strengthen agri-food cooperation in the search for food sovereignty.
The document was signed at the ALBA House by the Venezuelan Minister for Foreign Affairs, Yván Gil, and the Minister of Agriculture, Lands, Fisheries and the Blue Economy of Antigua and Barbuda, Anthony Smith.
The signing of the agreement is part of the multilateral AgroAlba project promoted by the Bolivarian Alternative for the Peoples of Our America-People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP) and is the second after the one signed with Saint Vincent and the Grenadines on November 6.
Gil explained that the initiative seeks to address the difficulties of the countries in the region in this area, it arose from a series of challenges faced and is intended to function as a synergy mechanism that can protect the people in agricultural and food matters. He reflected that although a country does not have the capacity to supply itself individually with the food it produces. “If we make a true integration, we can complement our capacities,” he said.
The Venezuelan foreign minister expressed that this multilateral project becomes a support for the food sovereignty of the ALBA-TCP States, but also an economic opportunity for development, reported a press release. He stressed that the signing of the document constitutes a truly revolutionary alternative because it is not only about progressing economically, but the true objective is to advance in integration, joint growth, exchange experiences and guarantee food security.
The executive secretary of ALBA-TCP, Jorge Arreaza, thanked the delegation of Antigua for carrying out this initiative and valued that there is nothing more beautiful than producing food for life and that “can serve for the social prosperity of our people, our youth and the future of the Caribbean countries.”
Regarding the matter, Anthony Smith expressed that these are very important programs designed to address poverty and support the eradication of social difficulties, in addition to helping promote the active participation of citizens to defend our independence and sovereignty as members of the Bolivarian Alliance, based on solidarity and cooperation.
AgroAlba lays the foundations for inclusive and sustainable economic development for the benefit of the entire region and the impetus for Petrocaribe and ALBA-TCP, according to the International Center for Productive Investment.
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Venezuela can hardly feed its own population… should never have been the option. Good luck with that one smh
America see to it that it sets up an sanctions embargo and get them hungry in Venezuela that they just surrender the oil fields back to white American businesses. Open your coconut and learn, don’t you see what’s happening at CMC food program and light bill voucher, America won’t stop this but what ever incentive that Hugo Chavez set up they use the opposition to create instability and war to destroy the social environment conducive to enjoying the concession from the oil. Don’t deal with identity politics or colors either, to just go after the traitor Anthony Smith is conflating the issues .
How can signing a 25 acres agriculture plot in Venezuela be attributed to food security. This is absolutely ridiculous. Venezuela ploy is to try on every front to get support in its quest to take Guyana’s lands .
Antigua could not support and upkeep 25 acres of lands out at Dunbars , but we are going to fly across seas to go and farm in Venezuela. How absurd!
Next thing I heard that the previous minister- The most disrespectful Dean Jonas , hanging around the ministry of agriculture. He doesn’t respect the agriculture technicians and is Mr.know it all. Anthony Smith Dean Jonas is going to bring about your demise. He is going to run ahead of you. He is self centered and knows no better. You are far better off without a person like this. Mr.know it all. So who ever advised you in having Dean in your ministry, is planning your downfall.
It’s 25,000 acres of land.
Looking forward to more information.
If produce that is imported could be substituted for quality but more affordable imports from Venezuela, that could be useful to lowering the import bill.
Also there may be some crops which are easier or more economically practical to cultivate down there. With the shipping costs from an oil producing nation like Venezuela being very reasonable there will definitely be serious savings.
Govt would certainly be holding consultations with farmers before taking major actions. Make sure this initiative is complimentary and not competitive.