-from July 21–25, 2025, at the Turkeyen Campus
THE University of Guyana’s Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, in collaboration with the Caribbean Agro-Economic Society (CAAES) and the Ministry of Agriculture, will host the 35th West Indies Caribbean Agricultural Economic Society Conference from July 21–25, 2025, at the Turkeyen Campus.
Held under the theme “Drivers for Agricultural and Economic Development,” the five-day conference is expected to draw local, regional, and international experts to discuss critical issues such as agricultural innovation, climate resilience, food security, and economic transformation.
Key areas for discussion will include Guyana’s agriculture sector, food and nutrition, transportation and infrastructure, tourism and the environment, the blue economy, innovation and entrepreneurship, and agricultural trade. Organisers said the topics reflect the region’s commitment to sustainable development and economic resilience.
Conference Chair, Dr. Donna Morrison, said the event comes at a significant time for Guyana, which continues to strengthen its position as a leader in food production and agro-processing within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). “The conference offers an opportunity to showcase Guyana’s advancements in agriculture and attract investment, positioning the country as a model for innovation in the region,” Dr. Morrison noted.
President of the CAAES, Dr. Govind Seepersad, described the conference as a pivotal moment for the region’s food security agenda. He pointed out that climate change, erratic weather patterns, and disruptions to global supply chains pose serious threats to Caribbean food systems. “Climate change is no longer a distant threat; it is a present reality. More intense droughts, rainfall shifts, and extreme weather events are devastating our crops and infrastructure,” Dr. Seepersad warned.
Programme Manager for Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Development at CARICOM, Mr. Shaun Baugh, described the conference as timely as CARICOM builds on the first phase of its “25 by 2025” food security initiative. “It will lend expert support and strategic partnership as we move into the new 25 by 2025+5 regional food security initiative,” Baugh added.
The conference will officially open on Monday, July 21, at 9:30 am at the Main Lecture Theatre, College of Medical Sciences, Turkeyen Campus. The ceremony will feature remarks from UG Vice Chancellor, Professor Paloma Mohamed Martin; Dr. Govind Seepersad; Mr. Shaun Baugh; and Dr. Richard Blair, Advisor-CARICOM Agri-Food System, Ministry of Agriculture. A Ministry of Agriculture representative will formally declare the conference open. The Opening Ceremony will also be livestreamed for wider regional participation.
Now in its 35th edition, the West Indies Agricultural Economics Conference remains a vital forum for advancing research, shaping regional policy, and fostering partnerships to strengthen agriculture and economic development. The event is supported by the University of Guyana, Ministry of Agriculture, National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI), Guyana School of Agriculture (GSA), Insurance Brokers Guyana Limited (IBGL), The University of the West Indies (UWI), Guyana Rice Producers’ Board, and the Ministry of Tourism, Industry & Commerce.
For more details and to register for the conference, interested participants can visit: https://www.caaestt.org/35th-west-indies-agricultural-economics-conference-1.