Over the past month we have noted that there is a growing frustration being expressed about the lack of economic and social progress, largely online in blogs and networks, by some of the more entrepreneurial and innovative individuals and groups in the region.
 

Why should it be a concern?
 

Because the region is getting left behind. Many developing nations in other parts of the world are racing ahead of most, if not all, of the countries in the Caribbean in terms of economic and social progress. In the Caribbean, the forecast GDP growth rates for 2012 range from a low 0.5% for Barbados, 1% for both Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago, up to higher rates of 4.0% for Guyana and 4.5% for Suriname. Looking a bit further afield into Latin America, the projected GDP growth rates for 2012 include 4.4% for Columbia (rising to 4.8% from 2013 onwards), 5.1% for Panama (rising to 6% in 2013), 5% for Peru, 4.5% in Argentina, and 4.7% in Chile.  
 

What about in Africa?

Some African countries are really starting to grow. Check out these forecasts for 2012:  Botswana - 7.1%; Angola - 10.8%; Côte d’Ivoire - 8.3% ; Ghana - 7.5% ; Rwanda - 7.0% ; Zambia - 6.7% ; Kenya - 6.0% ; Uganda - 5.7% . Botswana has moved from third world to second world in just over 12 years and GDP/capita has grown by 700% since they started their 20 year vision-led national economic transitional plan. It’s a real success story because people are not just talking there but also implementing – but within a long- term goal based national strategic plan.
 

What are the frustrations?
 

The following quote from one entrepreneurial person in St. Vincent really sums up the growing frustrations (thanks to the FAO Carib-Agri network); ‘Farmers are fed up stiff with the inertia in agriculture that is fuelled by studies upon studies, workshops and talk and more talk! We read reports of successful workshops over and over and we ask, where are the results! We read reports and the term ‘targeted farmers’ is repeated but who are these people?  Where are the results of these targets? The EPA has long been signed. Where are the beneficiaries of EPA support funds, save for the consultants who come ask us for our watches and tell us the time! Yes, studies are important but clearly the inertia in the sector is evidence that the funds are not being allocated in a balanced manner!’
 

What are some positive moves?

The biggest challenge is to move past the talk and make things happen. There are three initiatives in the pipeline that aim to do just that:

• The first is a project commissioned by the Public Sector Transition Unit in Jamaica to develop a strategic roadmap that will lead to a short term rationalisation of that country’s currently fragmented science, technology and innovation sector. The aim is to generate a ‘bigger bang for the bucks’ - given that the resources in Jamaica are limited and few synergies are currently being generated.
• The second is a regional initiative, being led by Diana Francis at IICA, that aims to encourage a more proactive approach towards addressing the region’s food security and nutrition challenges.
• The third is only at the conceptual stage but envisages further developing the RIE Network. It was set up after an excellent workshop in Jamaica in 2009 where farmers, private sector stakeholders, R&D people, and public sector representatives came together and participated in some very frank discussions about the inertia in the region, the lack of collaboration, and the lack of information sharing. The RIENet was set up as one of the communication tools to help overcome all three. It has already facilitated a considerable amount of mutually beneficial relationship building.
   

What does this mean for the region?

There is a need to set proper empirical targets, to implement, and to make people accountable for achieving the targets set. This requires more than just talk. It requires collaboration, mutual goal setting, and allocating responsibilities. All parties need to work together – the development agencies, public sector, private sector, R&D sector, and NGOs if we are going to achieve the level of GDP/capita growth that our neighbours and African countries are achieving. Otherwise, how on earth can we make any progress towards alleviating poverty? Brazil has made great advances in poverty alleviation – largely because it has developed a vibrant, successful, modern economy.
 

Useful link: African GDP/capita growth rates
 

Key question:  How do we stop the ‘talk’ and start the ‘walk’?