CARICOM has opened nominations for its 2026 Farmer of the Year Award and the Ministers of Agriculture Young Farmer of the Year Award, with submissions due to national Ministries of Agriculture by the end of June.
According to Antigua News Room, the awards were inaugurated in October 2021 at the 16th Caribbean Week of Agriculture and recognise the outstanding performance and critical role that regional farmers and farming enterprises play in contributing to CARICOM's food security and food sovereignty.
Nominees must submit a brief biography detailing the volume and type of produce they grow, along with a two-minute video highlighting their farm production and use of technology. The selection process is scheduled to begin in July.
The Farmer of the Year Award was conceptualised to build a positive profile of the Caribbean farmer while promoting agriculture as a viable area for increased regional investment. It also recognises farmers who have demonstrated leadership and commitment to the sector and who have contributed to its growing resilience.
Deles Warrington of Dominica was the inaugural recipient of the award. Subsequent recipients include Jamaican farmers Peter McConnell on behalf of Trade Winds Citrus Limited (2023), Alicia Bogues on behalf of Caribbean Broilers Jamaica Group (2024), and Dave Fairman on behalf of The Best Dressed Chicken, a division of Jamaica Broilers Group (2025).
The Young Farmer of the Year Award aims to promote and support young agri-preneurs who have demonstrated the financial viability of the agri-food sector. The award recognises creativity, innovation, and the application of sound business and agricultural practices in achieving sustainability. It is also intended to help attract younger people into the agricultural sector.
The first Young Farmer of the Year recipient was Citerina Atkins of Jamaica, followed by Diandra Rowe of Jamaica (2023), Kevorn Vidal of Dominica (2024), and Michael Joseph of Antigua and Barbuda (2025).
The 2026 awards will be presented during the Opening Ceremony of the 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture on 27 September in Jamaica.
