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FAO, Government of Mexico offer critical support to farmers affected by drought in Antigua and Barbuda

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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Government of Mexico and the Government of Antigua and Barbuda provided 1000-gallon water storage tanks to 12 farmers in Antigua and Barbuda as part of the ‘Addressing the Water-Energy Nexus in Agriculture’ (WEF) sub-project of the Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Initiative “Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean”, or Resilient Caribbean Initiative in short. CLICK HERE TO JOIN OUR WHATSAPP GROUP FOR NEWS UPDATES.

Like several countries in the Caribbean, Antigua and Barbuda is grappling with issues of water scarcity. As the effects of climate change become more evident with sea levels rising and rainfall patterns changing, freshwater availability and quality is decreasing while the frequency and severity of droughts increases. This, coupled with inefficiencies in the use of water, particularly affects agricultural production, which is in strong competition with other sectors for water resources.

The project, funded by the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID) and Mexico’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE) is being implemented by the FAO in 14 CARICOM countries.  The Resilient Caribbean Initiative supports Small Island Developing States (SIDS) facing these issues using an integrated Water-Energy-Food nexus approach in Barbados, Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica and Saint Kitts and Nevis.

The provision of tanks is part of the support being offered by the project, offering an immediate solution to the water storage needs of 12 farmers, with seven located in Antigua and five in Barbuda. The tanks offer crucial relief to farmers facing water scarcity challenges, assisting them in improving agricultural production and ensuring food security despite climate change impacts.

Working closely with the Ministry of Agriculture and the Barbuda Council to facilitate distribution of the tanks, FAO’s National Project Coordinator Mali Barnes shares “Providing these 1000-gallon tanks is a critical step towards supporting our farmers in Antigua and Barbuda. By empowering them with improved water storage capacity, we are enabling them to optimize their irrigation practices and enhance their agricultural output, ultimately contributing to the nation’s food security goals.”

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The project is supporting 20 farmers with the provision of climate-smart technologies such as solar-powered (micro) irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting and storage to improve water efficiency and management, and access to clean, climate-smart energy to increase agricultural water productivity. This support coupled with training on the effective management of water resources is intended to help build resilience to climate change and ensure food security for Antigua and Barbuda.

Farmer and project beneficiary Iesha Punther expressed how the project has helped to boost agricultural productivity on her farm, stating, “I am thankful to have been one of the beneficiaries of the project. Barbuda has been facing an extended and persistent drought, which has caused many challenges for my farm. However, this tank as well as the training received through the project will help me manage my water more efficiently and increase production”.

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One response to “FAO, Government of Mexico offer critical support to farmers affected by drought in Antigua and Barbuda”

  1. The Antiguan government should contact Dr Moses WEST…with the Green Machine to address the water scarcity issue.

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – INDIVIDUAL SELECTION)

 

OECS MSME Guarantee Facility Project

Loan No.: IDA-62670, IDA-62660, IDA-62640, IBRD-88830, IDA-62650

Assignment Title: Senior Operating Officer (SOO)

Reference No. KN-ECPCGC-207852-CS-INDV

 

The Governments of Antigua and Barbuda, Commonwealth of Dominica, Grenada, St. Lucia and St. Vincent and the Grenadines have received financing in the amount of US$10 million equivalent from the World Bank towards the cost of establishing a partial credit guarantee scheme, and they intend to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, and consulting services to be procured under this project. 

The consultant will serve as the “Senior Operating Officer (SOO)” for the ECPCGC and should possess extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to Micro, small and medium-sized businesses, knowledge of the internal control processes necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk mitigation procedures. The ideal candidate should possess an Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Accounting, Banking or related field, with a minimum of 5 years’ experience in lending, inclusive of MSME lending. The initial employment period will be for two years on a contractual basis. Renewal of the contract will be subject to a performance evaluation at the end of the contractual period. The assignment is expected to begin on September 30th, 2021.  The consultant will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer of the ECPCGC.

The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be viewed by following the attached link below. 

 

https://bit.ly/3iVannm

 

The Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation (ECPCGC) now invites eligible “Consultants” to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have:

  • An Undergraduate Degree from a reputable college or university, preferably in Business, Finance, Banking or related field; and
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in MSME lending. Applicants should also have:
  • The ability to design and implement risk management procedures 
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME lending with some direct experience lending to small and medium-sized businesses
  • Extensive knowledge of MSME banking operations
  • Knowledge of the internal controls necessary for a lending operation and the ability to design and implement risk management procedures
  • Experience developing and presenting information in public, including responding to questions in real-time
  • Experience lending to MSMEs located in the ECCU
  • Knowledge of marketing and communicating with the MSME sector
  • Ability to draft procedures to be used in a lending operation
  • Familiarity with the mechanics of a loan guarantee program
  • Exceptional written, oral, interpersonal, and presentation skills, and
  • Proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office suite.

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, Paragraphs 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers July 2016, [revised November 2017] (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Approved Selection Method for Individual Consultants set out in the clause 7.34 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers. 

 

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0800 to 1700 hours:

Eastern Caribbean Partial Credit Guarantee Corporation

Brid Rock, Basseterre,

St. Kitts.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form by e-mail by August 11th, 2021, to [email protected]

 

For further information, please contact:

Carmen Gomez-Trigg                                                            Bernard Thomas

Chief Executive Officer                                                          Chief Financial Officer

Tel: 868-620-8144                                                                  Tel: 869-765-2385

Email: [email protected]                                          [email protected]