Enhancing Food Security in Response to COVID-19 by Improving Access to Locally Grown Food - TCP/SUR/3802
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The Caribbean is a net food-importing region, with an estimated 80 to 90 percent of the food consumed coming from outside. As a result of COVID-19, disruptions to supply chains and shipping logistics increased the level of insecurity and vulnerability of people in the region. While trade in goods continued, social restrictions hampered local movement of fresh produce. In particular, the restrictions made it increasingly difficult for farmers to meet market demands, as smallholders' access to transport was limited, market hours for fresh produce were reduced, and farmers lacked the facilities, knowledge and post-harvest management skills to manage the quality and reduce losses of fresh produce. The Government of Suriname has identified post-harvest loss reduction as a priority area, especially in relation to strengthened application of technology innovation, research and development. Accessing export markets will require the transformation of the marketing system of fruits and vegetables from its current production-oriented approach, towards a market-oriented focus. In December 2017, the European Union approved the Suriname Agriculture Market Access Project (SAMAP) with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) as project implementing partner. The SAMAP supported approximately 1 000 small farmers in the competitive, safe and quality production and post-harvest handling of horticultural crops, including four value chains, and supported food safety capacities and standards for private sector and public institutions.