Agricultural diversification strategies in small island states

Across the small island states of the Caribbean, the need for greater agricultural diversification is a constant policy concern, as exemplified by the case of Barbados. Although the cane sugar industry in Barbados remains one of the more cost-efficient in the world, the structures of both the production and marketing environments discourage easy optimism. However, a diversification strategy premised upon coordinated product specialisation, crop-specific land redistribution, effective farmer organization and an integrated marketing system can facilitate the profitable production of sugar, winter vegetables, fruit, and sea island cotton. -Author