Nominations Open for CARICOM Farmers of the Year Awards
_“The awards, which were inaugurated in October 2021 at the 16th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, recognise the outstanding performance and critical role that regional farmers and farming enterprises play in contributing to CARICOM’s food security and food sovereignty.”_
Nominations are open for the CARICOM Farmer of the Year Award, and the Ministers of Agriculture Young Farmer of the Year Awards for 2026.
The awards, which were inaugurated in October 2021 at the 16th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, recognise the outstanding performance and critical role that regional farmers and farming enterprises play in contributing to CARICOM’s food security and food sovereignty.
Award nominations must be sent to the Ministries of Agriculture in CARICOM Member States and Associate Members by the end of June for the selection process to begin in July. A brief bio including volume and type of produce, and a two-minute video highlighting farm production and use of technology, must accompany the nomination.
The Farmer of the Year Award was conceptualised to create a positive profile of the Caribbean farmer while promoting farming and agriculture as a viable area for increased investments throughout the Region. The Award will also recognise farmers who have demonstrated a high level of leadership and commitment to the agriculture sector and who, through their efforts, have contributed to the growing resilience of the sector.
Deles Warrington of Dominica was the first recipient of this Award. The other awardees were Jamaican farmers Peter McConnell on behalf of Trade Winds Citrus Limited (2023); Alicia Bogues on behalf of Caribbean Broilers Jamaica Group (2024); and Dave Fairman on behalf of The Best Dressed Chicken, a division of Jamaica Broilers Group (2025).
The Young Farmer of the Year Award seeks to promote, foster and support young agri-preneurs who have excelled and demonstrated the financial viability of the agri-food sector throughout the Region. The Award recognises creativity, innovation and the application of sound business and agriculture practices in all areas of the farming enterprise in achieving sustainability. This award is expected to contribute towards the paradigm shift to attract younger persons in the agricultural sector.
The first Young Farmer of the Year Awardee was Citerina Atkins of Jamaica, followed by Diandra Rowe (2023) of Jamaica; Kevorn Vidal (2024) of Dominica; and Michael Joseph (2025) of Antigua and Barbuda (2025).
The 2026 Awards will be presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, 27 September in Jamaica.