Official Launch of the ADOPT Caribbean Project
See IICA’s press release here.
Georgetown, Guyana – New Zealand Ambassador to the Caribbean, Linda Te Puni, was in Guyana for an official visit, and participated in the official launch on 2 March of the New Zealand-funded ADOPT Caribbean – Soil Health for Climate-Resilient Agriculture Project, a new regional initiative designed to strengthen soil health, reduce agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, and accelerate climate‑smart agriculture (CSA) across the Caribbean.
Ambassador Te Puni met with Guyana’s Minister of Agriculture, Hon. Zulfikar Mustapha, along with representatives of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), ahead of the project launch ceremony at the Burma Rice Research Station. Guyana, along with Jamaica and St Vincent and the Grenadines, will benefit from the US$330,00 project funding as part of New Zealand’s broader support to Caribbean agriculture through its Latin America and the Caribbean Climate Smart Agriculture Initiative.
From Left to right: Kevin Crooks (IICA Jamaica), Lee Nelson (NZCSA Programme Lead), Linda Te Puni NZ Ambassador Caribbean), Zulfikar Mustapha (Minister of Agriculture of the Co-operative Republic of Guyana), and Wilmot Garnett (IICA Guyana).
A Regional Initiative with Global Partnerships
The ADOPT Caribbean programme will be implemented in Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, focusing on improving soil health and enabling farmers and government authorities to better understand and manage agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. Supported through a partnership between New Zealand, IICA, and the Governments of Guyana, Jamaica, and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the project builds on more than a year of collaborative preparation and technical design.
Funding from New Zealand is complemented by in‑kind support from IICA and national partners. Across the region, demonstration sites have already been identified, and technical teams mobilised to ensure rapid and seamless implementation.
Guyana Positioned as a Leader in Climate-Smart Agriculture
During Monday’s engagement, Minister Mustapha highlighted Guyana’s ongoing investments in agricultural innovation, including the development of new rice varieties and broader climate‑resilient strategies. He noted that ADOPT Caribbean will play a crucial role in raising awareness among farmers, strengthening extension services, and building resilience to climate shocks.
Ambassador Te Puni emphasised that climate‑smart agriculture is a shared global priority and recognised the centrality of the issue for CARICOM and for Guyana as a leader on food security.
A Foundation for Regional Transformation
By leveraging evidence‑based practices and building the capacity of institutions and farmers alike, the ADOPT Caribbean project lays the groundwork for a future region-led programme to transform soil management and climate resilience across the region. The initiative is seen as a scalable model for broader climate-smart agricultural development.
Dr. Richard Blair, Minister’s Advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture, Guyana
