FAO-Carib-Agri is a service provided by the FAO Sub-Regional Office, Barbados ============================================================================= Dear Members, -----Original Message----- From: [log in to unmask] Dear FAO team, An interesting collection of stories this month that really focus in on opportunities and threats for our region. There is also a strong focus on the private sector and the need for better public private sector collaboration if we are to achieve greater economic and social progress. It's happening, but not as well as it should be. I look forward to your feedback as always. If you no longer wish to receive these e-alerts simply type 'UNSUBSCRIBE' in the subject line and send a return email. Kind regards Ian Ivey RIENet Facilitator Latest Headlines Regional Roundup Now a reality It was over two years ago when the preliminary work to set up a Caribbean Climate Innovation Centre (CCIC) Business Incubator in the region was initiated by the World Bank. Link: http://www.rienet.net/blog/?page=blogdisplay&ID=727 Our Champion The Visionary Many of our Champions are people who are unsung heroes and often they are still only part way on their journey in life. But every now and then you meet a person who has dedicated their life to helping others achieve success. Link: http://www.rienet.net/blog/?page=blogdisplay&ID=728 Success Stories Mega-service The world has been through a period of tumultuous change so we decided to catch up with Heather Grant in SVG and see how her business has fared, given that she had built what seemed to be a quite resilient business model. Link: http://www.rienet.net/blog/?page=blogdisplay&ID=729 R&D Update Raising the bar Last month we included some initial extracts from a research project looking at the competitiveness of nations as measured by the Global Competitiveness Index. Here in the Caribbean just three countries feature - T&T, Jamaica and Barbados. Link: http://www.rienet.net/blog/?page=blogdisplay&ID=730 Opportunities & Threats GMOs Genetically modified organisms have polarised societies, businesses, institutions and politicians. They have been 'insinuated' into food chains in a number of countries resulting in both the pro and anti-camps becoming more polarised over time. Link: http://www.rienet.net/blog/?page=blogdisplay&ID=731 Value Creation Reconceiving agriculture To deliver to customer needs in market segments that are growing fast relative to the overall market, as evidenced by the growth in organic retail outlets and channels marketing healthy, spray free and organic products to customers, also requires a re-think about production practices. Link: http://www.rienet.net/blog/?page=blogdisplay&ID=732 ######################################################################## To unsubscribe from the Carib-Agri-L list, click the following link: &*TICKET_URL(Carib-Agri-L,SIGNOFF);