OAS Secretary-General Jose Miguel Insulza told Caricom Heads that the Jagdeo Initiative on Agriculture is critical to dealing with the Region’s food crisis though the problem is not one of a food shortage rather that people cannot keep up with the rate of price increases.

Insulza told the leaders at the recent 29th Caricom Heads of Government summit in St John’s Antigua and Barbuda, that the Region’s food problems is one of demand, noting that the people simply do not have the money to pay for food, especially at the rate of the price increases. According to a Government Information Agency (GINA) press release Insulza said he is prepared to work with organisations within the framework of the Organisation of American States (OAS) to seek solutions, ensure food security, alleviate the situation in the short-term and improve the conditions of agriculture production in the region.

In keeping with this the Secretary-General is calling on the Region to find ways to improve the demand capacity of its people.

GINA said Insulza made these statements to reporters following a breakfast meeting with the Heads. He said the rising food prices in the Region was the most salient issue discussed.

The Jagdeo Initiative was started by President Bharrat Jagdeo, lead Head for Agriculture in the Region. “It is a strategic policy framework that sets the agenda for repositioning of agriculture in the region by identifying 10 key binding constraints that must be addressed as the region embarks on the process of increasing food security and food sovereignty,” GINA said.