Nominations open for Caricom Farmers of the Year Awards

The Caribbean Community (Caricom) has opened nominations for its 2026 Farmer of the Year Award and Ministers of Agriculture Young Farmer of the Year Award, recognising outstanding contributions to regional food security and agricultural development. According to a Caricom Secretariat release issued on Monday, nominations must be submitted to the Ministries of Agriculture in Caricom Member States and Associate Members by the end of June. The selection process is scheduled to begin in July. Nominees are required to submit a brief biography outlining the volume and type of produce they cultivate, along with a two-minute video highlighting their farm operations and use of technology. The awards were introduced in October 2021 during the 16th Caribbean Week of Agriculture to recognise the performance and role of farmers and farming enterprises in advancing Caricom’s food security and food sovereignty goals.

The Farmer of the Year Award was established to promote a positive image of Caribbean farmers and encourage greater investment in agriculture across the region. It also recognises individuals who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to the sector while contributing to its resilience and growth.
Dominican farmer Deles Warrington was the inaugural recipient of the award in 2021. Subsequent winners include Peter McConnell on behalf of Trade Winds Citrus Limited of Jamaica in 2023, Alicia Bogues on behalf of Caribbean Broilers Jamaica Group in 2024 and Dave Fairman on behalf of The Best Dressed Chicken, a division of Jamaica Broilers Group, in 2025. The Ministers of Agriculture Young Farmer of the Year Award aims to support and promote young agri-preneurs who have demonstrated the viability of agriculture as a business. The award recognises innovation, creativity and sound agricultural and business practices that contribute to sustainable farming enterprises. Jamaica’s Citerina Atkins was the first recipient of the Young Farmer of the Year Award. Other winners include Diandra Rowe of Jamaica in 2023, Kevorn Vidal of Dominica in 2024, and Michael Joseph of Antigua and Barbuda in 2025. The 2026 awards will be presented during the opening ceremony of the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture, scheduled for September 27 in Jamaica.