St Vincent and the Grenadines has secured access to 25,000 acres of fertile Venezuelan land, unlocking a new era of agricultural cooperation under the recently signed AgroAlba agreement. This landmark deal, formalized on Wednesday, aims to bolster regional food security and empower nations within the ALBA-TCP and Petrocaribe framework.
The agreement was signed by Venezuelan Minister of Agriculture and Lands, Menry Fernández, and St Vincent’s Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar, marking a significant commitment to agricultural self-sufficiency and rural development.
“This collaboration opens doors for rural investment, improved land capabilities, and a pathway for Venezuela to emerge as a food exporter,” Venezuelan officials stated, highlighting the project’s potential to attract technology and increase agricultural yields.
Saboto Caesar emphasized the promise of affordable, large-scale agricultural production to achieve food sovereignty. “This is not merely a visit; we are here to take decisive action. The AgroAlba initiative embodies the legacy of President Hugo Chavez, underscoring our need to work together to guarantee productivity and consistent trade across ALBA nations,” he remarked.
The project will initially allocate 10,000 hectares of Venezuela’s diverse, productive terrain to companies from each participating nation. This development is set to enable these countries to present agricultural and livestock initiatives that harness Venezuela’s rich resources and farming expertise.
The AgroAlba partnership represents a broader vision for a resilient “global south bloc,” focused on achieving agricultural independence, fostering intercontinental cooperation, and addressing climate resilience. Caesar noted the project’s strategic advantage, as the land is positioned outside major disaster-prone areas, reducing risks from volcanic activity and extreme weather impacts linked to climate change.
