Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) on Friday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Barbados to collaborate and promote transformation of food systems in Africa and the Caribbean Community.

The partnership agreement was signed by the Barbados Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, Kerrie Symmonds, and the President of AGRA, Dr Agnes Kalibata.

The deal seeks to strengthen cooperation and advocacy in areas of common interest in food systems and climate change adaptation between stakeholders in Barbados and Africa.

The MoU will also see the two sides partner in sharing knowledge and experience on technology and innovations including last mile delivery of sustainable inputs, value chain models, digital technology and access to finance models.


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Additionally, the Memorandum of Understanding is seeking to enhance the mobilization of investments in the public and private sectors for transformation of food systems.

AGRA and Barbados will work together to develop solutions to increase public and private investments in changing food systems and to develop innovative financing mechanisms.


“With this MoU, we see an opportunity to advance our South to South partnership to include Island States. We will focus on a unified fight against climate change, [and] support to functional food systems that advance the role of trade in feeding the world while minimizing its negative impacts on health and nutrition,” said Dr Kalibata.

She added: “Furthermore we see an opportunity to continue advancing partnerships that promote skills and expertise on both sides. The MoU is an opportunity for the Government of Barbados to connect to all 15 countries AGRA is working with across the continent, and to connect with the wider continent through AGRF. We are excited about this partnership with the Caricom countries with Barbados as our first direct engagement.”


AGRA says it will facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge between Barbados and African countries where best practices exist, and vice-versa.

“Today we have made a major step towards improving the food systems in our two regions. The reality is that many African countries share similarities with Barbados, and through this partnership with AGRA, we can now work together to draw on our shared heritage and identifying areas of common interest for knowledge and experience sharing, and advocacy in global and regional platforms to strengthen investments in agri-food systems,” added Symmonds.