The Statia Government took part in the 2nd Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Alliance (DCALFA) Conference held in Bonaire from 19 to 23 May 2025. The Statian delegation included Island Commissioner Rechelline Leerdam and representatives from the local agricultural and fisheries sectors.
The five day event brought together all six Dutch Caribbean islands Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, St. Eustatius, Saba, and St. Maarten to strengthen regional cooperation in sustainable food systems. It follows the 2023 signing of a Memorandum of Understanding in Aruba and builds on the inaugural DCALFA Conference hosted by Statia in 2024.
The programme featured panel discussions, workshops, and field visits to local farms and markets, focusing on key issues such as food security, pest control, fisheries management, private sector engagement, and youth participation in agriculture.
With support from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Climate Policy (EZK) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN), Statia was also represented by a member of the Farmers’ Cooperative, a local fisherman, and a young person exploring a future in agriculture.
This collaborative approach highlights Statia’s commitment to building a resilient, inclusive, and forward-looking agricultural sector through partnerships across the region.
