Supporting smallholder farmers to address the food security challenges facing the Small Island Developing States of the Caribbean : a review

Manuscript draft to be published in the Regional Environmental Change

Food security policy in the small island developing states of the Caribbean Community has focused traditionally on commodity-oriented export production rather than production for domestic food markets. Social, economic and environmental vulnerability has been the unintended consequence of such policy as evidenced by declining rural livelihoods, rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases and food systems that are highly susceptible to external shocks. In response, the Caribbean Community countries have sought to realign their agricultural production strategies to enhance domestic agricultural innovation with a view to improving regional food and nutrition security, and health outcomes for the populations. Recognizing the unique challenges associated with agricultural production among the small island developing states of Caribbean Community, this paper reviews how the existing agriculture and food systems are driving smallholder vulnerability in a cyclical manner. We first describe the conditions that undermine sustainable food security and nutrition outcomes, including issues of history, economy and institutions. Drawing on socio-ecological systems thinking, we then present a framework for conceptualizing how the formal research and policy institutions among Caribbean Community small island developing states might better approach the issue of adaptive capacity of domestic food systems. Building on this framework, we identify four broad areas that require further research and development in order to revolutionize food and agriculture policy within the Caribbean Community.