Wi Likkle But Wi Tallawah!

Although the Caribbean region is relatively small compared to the many African countries in the ACP Bloc (African, Caribbean and Pacific) that are also served by the Technical Centre for Agriculture and Rural Cooperation (CTA), its participation in the seminar clearly showed that our region leads the way when it comes partnering with the media for the promotion of agriculture and rural development.

For one, during the annual Caribbean Week for Agriculture held recently, an opportunity was created for regional news media to come face to face with farmers, agricultural extension staff, Ministry of Agriculture policy makers and rural services to jointly determine how the media can strengthen the region’s agricultural sector. This unique Caribbean model was highlighted through a video presentation at Brussels and is now likely going to be adopted by African and Pacific partners.

CARIMAC’s unique approach to strengthening the sector’s institutional collaboration with the media was provided by Dr. Maria Protz in her presentation “Wun Wun Coco Full Basket” and also highlighted specific activities that are being implemented under the Communication for Sustainable Development Initiative (CSDI) project with FAO.

The importance of using ICTs to support women organic farmers was stressed by another Caribbean leader, Dorienne Rowan-Campbell of the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) during a televised segment of the CTA Seminar.

But more work needs to be done to ensure that the media cover the sector with the level of importance it holds for the region. Several important follow-up activities have already been put in motion since the CTA Seminar:

1. The Caribbean region leads the drafting of a resolution on the role of media and Communication for Development to be presented to the Copenhagen Climate Change forum in December. This draft resolution will be appended to a broader declaration from the CTA seminar as a whole.

2. Caribbean participants have pledged to keep collaborating on joint activities and a working group has been formed consisting of representatives from CARICOM, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Association of Caribbean Media Works (ACM), CARIMAC, JOAM as well as independent communication consultants from within the region.

Through these steps, it is expected that additional concrete activities will be identified to continue strengthening the role that media can play in agricultural and rural development regionally.

For more on the CTA Seminar and activities in the region please see:
http://annualseminar2009.cta.int/ 
http://www.go-jamaica.com/news/read_article.php?id=13420
http://www.acmediaworkers.com/index.html

-contributed by Dr. Maria Protz