July 6, 2008 -- Caribbean heads of government recently met in a two-day regional Agricultural Investment Forum to discuss the rising cost of food and the crisis it presents the region. It was stressed that government interventions need support from the private sector and Caribbean Land and Property, who have a range of farm and agricultural lands for sale in the region are offering increased services to support clients with investment in agriculture. 

“We want to do everything we can to promote sustainable land use in the region” says Stewart Andrews, Managing Director of the company. He adds that at present “many land owners do not want to advertise their land as agricultural as they perceive that the value could be less. Rather they market it as potential for resorts, but I think we will see this shifting as more awareness grows that food security and food production is going to be a major priority in years to come.”

Indeed, elsewhere in the world prices for agricultural land have skyrocketed in recent years. In 2007, the price for farmland in Iowa, USA was, for the first time, rising faster than property in Manhattan. This trend, which is continuing from Argentina to Australia, is signaling an increase in rural rather than urban development.

James Moss-Solomon, a Jamaican businessman who headed the planning task force for the forum said “there has been no other time in recent Caribbean memory when such a concerted effort has been made to grow more food.”         As the region pours more resources into growing more food the future looks bright for agricultural investments in the fertile land of the Caribbean.

The focus of agricultural investment is diverse and can include small to large scale agriculture, agro-processing and even ecotourism developments. Small scale ecolodges that produce most of their food on site can be a great educative tool for the local and visiting community on the importance of sustainable agriculture and are an integral part of the thrust to sustainable development. One of the key results of the recent regional forum is that commercial banks are more willing to support these investments than they may have done in the past.

In recognising that many buyers plan to develop agricultural land especially for niche organic markets overseas, Caribbean Land and Property now have a consultant in Organic agriculture available to their clients.  Al-Mario Casimir, who has a M.Sc. in Agricultural Diversification with emphasis on Organic Agriculture and over 10 years experience in working with Caribbean agricultural departments, is now offering his services on a freelance basis to clients who desire to protect their investment with wise decisions based on inside knowledge and real agricultural experience. Based in Dominica, Casimir consults for clients throughout the Eastern Caribbean and in addition to his native English and French Creole, also speaks fluent Spanish.

Wini Dean, international property adviser for Caribbean Land and Property advises that “Some of the favourite places for agriculture include Belize, Costa Rica, Dominica and Dominican Republic. “We currently have some beautiful farms available, many with already established crops and trees that represent a sound investment for further cultivation.”

Those looking for smaller scale personal investments are also finding the region a hot spot. Lisette Stevens, property adviser for Caribbean Land and Property in Dominica adds that “People are attracted to certain islands in the Caribbean as even on small pieces of land they can be virtually self sufficient which, is a big priority for people these days.”

So in the face of some major challenges in global food production, there are many possibilities for positive outcomes. From small personal holdings to large farms the Caribbean region is alive with a new wave of investment in agriculture.

About Caribbean Land and Property

Caribbean Land and Property are a leading online real estate resource with properties in 26 Caribbean countries. See www.caribbeanlandandproperty.com for further details.