Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment Report for Antigua and Barbuda’s Agriculture Sector © 2023 International Bank for Reconstruction and Development / The World Bank 1818 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20433 Telephone: +1-202-473-1000; Internet: www.worldbank.org Some rights reserved. This work is a product of the staff of The World Bank and the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR). The findings, inter- pretations, and conclusions expressed in this work do not necessarily reflect the views of The World Bank, its Board of Executive Directors, or the governments they represent. The World Bank does not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or currency of the data included in this work and does not assume responsibility for any errors, omissions, or discrepancies in the information, or liability with respect to the use of or failure to use the information, methods, processes, or conclusions set forth. 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Cover: View of St Johns farmers market in Antigua and Barbuda. © Ed-Ni-Photo | istock.com Cover design & layout: ULTRAdesigns Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment Report for Antigua and Barbuda’s Agriculture Sector Table of Contents ii Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................................iv Executive Summary ........................................................................................................................................... v Acronyms ......................................................................................................................................................... ix Glossary of key terminology ............................................................................................................................. xi 01 Introduction.................................................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 Need for Timely, Inclusive and Resilient Recovery in the Caribbean.............................................................. 2 1.2 Assessing Sectoral Recovery Capacity in the Caribbean.................................................................................. 2 1.3 Specific objectives of the SRCA for the agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda................................... 4 1.4 Assessment methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 4 02 The agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda............................................................................................ 7 2.1 Disaster impacts in Antigua and Barbuda ....................................................................................................... 8 2.2 Climate change impacts on agriculture............................................................................................................... 9 2.3 COVID-19 impacts on agriculture........................................................................................................................10 2.4 Infrastructure ..........................................................................................................................................................11 2.5 Gender, agriculture, climate change, and disasters ........................................................................................13 2.6 Disability and agriculture .....................................................................................................................................14 03 The Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment implementation process in Antigua and Barbuda.............. 16 04 Results Overview ....................................................................................................................................... 18 4.1 General Findings.....................................................................................................................................................19 4.2 Findings for Governance ......................................................................................................................................20 4.3 Findings for Competencies...................................................................................................................................25 4.4 Findings for Resources and Tools.......................................................................................................................28 4.5 Findings for the Inclusion of Gender and Disability in Recovery Processes............................................... 31 05 Recommendations ...............................................................................................................................34 06 Conclusion ...........................................................................................................................................37 References .................................................................................................................................................40 Annex 1. Specific recommendations to strengthen the capacity of Antigua and Barbuda’s agriculture sector for resilient and inclusive recovery................................................................................................................... 43 Annex 2. Coastal inundation scenario maps for Antigua and Barbuda............................................................ 47 Annex 3. Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment Questionnaire................................................................... 49 Figures Figure 1. Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment results overview. .............................................................................vi Figure 2. Disaster Risk Management cycle. ......................................................................................................................... 3 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Figure 3. The SRCA framework structure. ............................................................................................................................ 5 iii Figure 4. Inland flooding for a 100-year return period in Antigua and Barbuda............................................................ 11 Figure 5. Diagrammatic representation of the assessment process.............................................................................17 Figure 6. Recovery Capacity Index for the components assessed in the sector: Governance, Competencies (operational capacity) and skills, and Resources and tools. ............................................................................................19 Figure 7. Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements assessed: Policies and legal framework; Strategies and plans; Institutions and coordination; Workforce; Capacity (knowledge and skills); Human resources, Profile suitability; Natural-hazard data and risk information; Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Project portfolio planning; Resilient recovery project design; Financing; and Project implementation. ............................... 20 Figure 8. Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 1: Policies and Legal Framework, Strategies and Plans, and Institutions and Coordination. ................................................................................................21 Figure 9. Recovery Capacity Index for the sub elements of Component 1: Policies, Legal Framework, Foundations for recovery, Mainstreaming DRM & Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Gender and disability inclusion in policy, Building codes and regulation mechanisms, Strategies and Plans, Build Back Better, Gender and disability inclusion in planning, Institutions, Coordination, Building codes and regulation compliance, and Gender and disability coordination mechanisms. .............................................................................................................22 Figure 10. Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 2: Workforce, Capacity (knowledge and skills) and Human Resources, Profile suitability. ...............................................................................................................25 Figure 11. Recovery Capacity Index for the sub elements of Component 2: Workforce; Gender; Private sector; Skills; Training activities; Proven capacities; and Human Resources, profile suitability. ............................................ 26 Figure 12. Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 3: Natural hazard data and risk information, PDNA and Project portfolio planning, Resilient recovery project design, Financing, and Project implementation. ........................................................................................................................................................................28 Figure 13. Recovery Capacity Index for the sub elements of the key elements of Component 3: Data collection and management, Use of risk information in the sector, PDNA mechanisms, Planning of recovery priorities, Gender and disability inclusion in PDNA, Availability of BBB tools, Use of risk information for recovery, Building codes and regulations in project design, Gender and disability inclusion in project design, Availability of sources of funding, Accessibility to recovery funds, Budget for recovery, Resources, Project management, Building code implementation resources and M&E at project level. .........................................................................................................29 Figure 14. Recovery Capacity Indexes for a. Gender and b. Disability inclusion at the level of the components assessed: Governance, Competencies (operational capacity) and Skills, and Resources and Tools ......................... 31 Figure 15. Recovery Capacity Index for Gender and Disability inclusion in recovery processes at the level of the key elements assessed: Policies and legal framework; Strategies and plans; Institutions and coordination; Workforce; Capacity (Knowledge and skills); Human resources, profile suitability; Natural hazard data and risk information; PDNA and project portfolio planning; Resilient recovery project design; Financing; and Project implementation. ........................................................................................................................................................................32 Tables Table 1. Scoring system for the quantitative evaluation of qualitative responses to questions in the SRCA questionnaire................................................................................................................................................................................ 5 Table 2. Traffic light system used to categorize Recovery Capacity Index (RCI) values.............................................. 6 Table of Contents SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR iv Acknowledgements This Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment (SRCA) Agency (CDEMA) for its active involvement in govern- was prepared by a World Bank team composed of ment engagement and stakeholder consultations. The Clara Ariza (Senior Disaster Risk Management and assessment was financed by the Canada-Caribbean Climate Adaptation Specialist, Consultant), Roberto Resilience Facility, a single-donor World Bank-executed Mendez (Senior Disaster Risk Management Specialist, trust fund managed by the Global Facility for Disaster Consultant) and Francesco Varotto (Disaster Risk Reduction and Recovery. Management Specialist, Consultant), with inputs from Linda Anderson Berry (Senior Disability Specialist, This report has benefited from discussions with gov- Consultant) and Marcela Natalicchio (Senior Gender ernment officials, development partners, and members Specialist, Consultant), and overall guidance from of the community, and the team would like to thank Naraya Carrasco (Senior Disaster Risk Management key informants and participants in the focus-group Specialist) and Suranga Kahandawa (Senior Disaster discussions and semi-structured interviews. The team Risk Management Specialist). The team is grateful collected data with assistance from CDEMA, GFDRR to the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management and governmental staff. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Acknowledgements Executive Summary v Antigua and Barbuda is highly exposed to the impacts arrangements, and available resources and tools. The of natural hazards, including earthquakes and hur- assessment allowed the identification of gaps, bottle- ricanes, has suffered major disasters in the past necks, deficits, blockages, and other factors that limit decades, and is currently coping with the impacts the planning, design, implementation, and monitor- of the COVID-19 pandemic. With more frequent and ing and evaluation of resilient and inclusive recovery intense extreme weather events expected in the com- projects, as well as of capacity-building interventions, ing decades due to climate change, there is an urgent investments, and opportunities to solve pressing need to prepare for timely, effective, and efficient issues. The report includes practical recommenda- disaster recovery, while building resilience at all levels tions, including proposed interventions to facilitate the and sectors of government and society. This involves prioritization and decision making on investments by strengthening the capacity of key national sectors to national and international agencies supporting disas- develop and execute climate resilient recovery project ter risk management (DRM) and development efforts portfolios that are gender responsive and disability in Antigua and Barbuda. Figure 1 presents the results inclusive. of the SRCA for each of the assessed issues. This report presents the results of the Sectoral At a high and strategic level, the assessment deter- Recovery Capacity Assessment (SRCA) undertaken mined that the capacity of Antigua and Barbuda’s in Antigua and Barbuda to assess the capacity of the agriculture sector to implement resilient and inclusive country’s agriculture sector to plan, design, implement, recovery projects in a timely, efficient, and effective monitor, and evaluate resilient and inclusive recovery manner is incipient. However, key results of a more projects. Agriculture was selected as the priority sec- detailed analysis indicate that although progress has tor for the SRCA by the Government of Antigua and been made in national policy to enable, to a certain Barbuda due to its economic importance and high extent, the development of recovery projects, policy exposure to natural hazard impacts. The assessment operationalization is limited by an outdated legislative followed a consultative process facilitated by the and strategic framework for CDM. Another limiting fac- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs tor is the absence of an agriculture development policy (MoAFBA) and the National Office of Disaster Services and an updated Medium Term Development Strategy. (NODS). It was supported by the Canada-Caribbean The level of knowledge and skills of national sectoral Resilience Facility (CRF), hosted by the Global Facility actors is also insufficient to plan and implement rapid for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) at and effective recovery interventions. Major recovery the World Bank Group, and the Caribbean Disaster projects in the country are defined and led by central Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). ministries with international support. Recovery proj- ects in agriculture are not managed by the Ministry of The SRCA assessed in detail the existing capacity for Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs (MoAFBA) resilient recovery in the agriculture sector in terms of — which lacks financial and technical capacity —, but enabling policies and legal frameworks, institutional are mainly designed and implemented by regional or SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR vi FIGURE 1 Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment results overview. The issues addressed in the assessment were classified under three main components: Governance, Competencies and Resources, and Tools. For each issue, the level of existing capacity within the sector was determined using the Recovery Capacity Index. Component 3: Resources and tools Component 1: Governance 1.1.1. Policies (RCI of 41) 3.5.4. M&E at project level (RCI of 44) 1.1.2. Legal Framework (RCI of 34) 3.5.3. Building codes and regulations in project implementation (RCI of 42) 100 1.1.3. Foundations for recovery (RCI of 38) 3.5.2. Project management (RCI of 57) 1.1.4. Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management and 3.5.1. Resources (RCI of 46) 80 Climate Change Adaptation (RCI of 58) 1.1.5. Gender and disability inclusion (RCI of 41) Low or 3.4.3. Budget for recovery (RCI of 38) absent 1.1.6. Building codes and regulation (RCI of 42) 60 (0–24) 3.4.2. Access to recovery funding (RCI of 50) 57 1.2.1. Strategies and Plans (RCI of 43) 44 41 58 42 Basic or 3.4.1. Availability of funding sources 46 40 34 38 1.2.2. Build-Back-Better in recovery strategies and plans for recovery (RCI of 46) 41 (RCI of 50) incipient 50 38 42 43 (25–49) 3.3.4. Gender and disability inclusion 1.2.3. Gender and disability inclusion in 46 20 50 in project design (RCI of 63) strategies and plans (RCI of 38) 63 38 Moderate 3.3.3. Building codes and regulations 1.3.1. Institutional responsibility for recovery 38 0 31 (50–74) in project design (RCI of 38) (RCI of 31) 50 63 38 1.3.2. Disaster risk management and 25 44 3.3.2. Use of risk information (RCI of 63) recovery coordination (RCI of 50) 25 Advanced 3.3.1. Availabilities of BBB tools (RCI of 38) 45 1.3.3. Building codes and regulations (compliance) (75–89) 75 28 33 (RCI of 44) 63 44 3.2.3. Gender and disability inclusion in PDNAs 1.3.4. Gender and disability inclusion (coordination) (RCI of 75) 66 50 (RCI of 25) Recovery Capacity Index (Capacity Level) Full 3.2.2. Planning of recovery priorities (RCI of 63) 66 55 63 (90-100) 2.1.1. Sector's workforce (RCI of 45) SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 3.2.1. PDNA mechanisms(RCI of 66) 2.1.2. Gender specialists (RCI of 25) 3.1.2. Use of risk information (RCI of 66) 2.1.3. Private sector (contractors for recovery) (RCI of 44) 3.1.1. Risk data collection and management (RCI of 63) 2.2.1. Skills (RCI of 33) 2.3.1. Human Resources, profile suitability (RCI of 28) 2.2.2. Training activities (RCI of 50) Component 2: Competencies 2.2.3. Proven capacities (RCI of 55) Executive Summary international organizations. The SRCA identified a crit- agriculture facility owners climate-proof and pro- vii ical need to create, strengthen and sustain resilient tect key assets, including machinery and equip- and inclusive recovery capacity within the MoAFBA, ment, from extreme weather events. including the capacity to mainstream gender and dis- » Assess Antigua and Barbuda’s hydro-meteorolog- ability considerations and systematically use hazard ical infrastructure and elaborate an investment and risk data and information into sectoral opera- plan for its update. The plan should also include tions. Building the capacity of the Ministry on Project the acquisition of modern forecasting and climate Cycle Management was also assessed as necessary services delivery technologies and measures to for inclusive recovery but also for development and strengthen early warning communication systems growth of the sector. to ensure they reach the exposed and most vulner- able communities. The SRCA identified the following as crucial for » Strengthen the use, management and generation building recovery capacity in Antigua and Barbuda’s of risk and recovery-relevant data and information Agriculture sector: across the agriculture sector, particularly within MoAFBA, and ensure hazard and risk maps created » Ensure resilient and inclusive recovery consider- or updated by partner organizations are available, ations are integrated into ongoing and upcoming and easily accessible to all. policy, strategic, and planning processes at the » Ensure that risk information is communicated in national and sectoral level. Particularly important is appropriate formats to end users including farmers to review and update the National Comprehensive and fishers. Disaster Management (CDM) Policy and Strategy, » Strengthen sectoral budgets for disaster risk man- to finalize the national CDM legislation and to agement (DRM) and recovery by estimating and develop a development policy and complete a CDM including a contingent annual recovery allocation plan for the agriculture sector. It is critical that in the MoAFBA’s budget. these processes are highly participatory and widely » Ensure legislation and procedures enable the rapid communicated, and incorporate lessons learned reallocation of annual budgets to support recov- during the Hurricane Irma recovery and the COVID- ery efforts in the aftermath of major disasters and 19 pandemic and concrete prioritized actions for chronic small events, which add burden to small- recovery and resilience building. holder farmers overtime. » Create a pipeline of targeted investments in both » Enhance resilience and recovery funding instru- gray and green defense infrastructure on coastal ments for farmers, small and medium-sized and riverine areas, to protect Antigua and Barbuda enterprises (SMEs), and informal actors linked against impacts of climate change such as sea to agriculture value chains by creating new and level rise and extreme weather events. These mea- enhancing access to existing financial mecha- sures would help lower the risk and impact of dis- nisms for resilience and recovery, including insur- ruptions that may affect the country in general, and ance and microinsurance. the agriculture sector in particular. » Create a plan to finance software updating and » Develop an investment plan that prioritizes infra- maintenance at the MoAFBA to facilitate project structure projects of high relevance for the agri- management operations. culture sector, particularly those promoting » Raise awareness, at the strategic and operational climate-resilient infrastructure systems, including levels, of the added value of acquiring and sus- water supply systems. It would support the conti- taining DRM and inclusive recovery capacity for nuity and operability of crop production after major the sector’s development. This can be achieved adverse events. through well-designed awareness-raising cam- » Create a technical assistance plan with a range paigns and events for public officers. of risk reduction interventions to help farm and Executive Summary SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR viii » Build and sustain the required knowledge and skills and integrated in the design and implementation of for the implementation of resilient and inclusive development, CDM and recovery policy, and strate- recovery projects in the sector through the recruit- gic and planning documents of national and sectoral ment of specialized staff in areas specific to DRM, relevance. the institutionalization of training in DRM, gender and disability inclusion for public and private sec- toral stakeholders, and the improvement of public recruitment protocols, among other measures. It is expected that the findings of this report and its recommendations will be taken into consideration SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Executive Summary Acronyms ix AMS Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services BBB Build Back Better CAFF Climate Adaptation Financing Facility CARDI Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute CARICOM Caribbean Community CAT-DDO Catastrophe Deferrred Drawdown Option CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CDEMA Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency CDC Civil Defence Commission CDM Comprehensive Disaster Management CRPD United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities CRF Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility DANA Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis DIMS Disaster Information Management System DRM Disaster Risk Management EnGenDER Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean ESL Extreme Sea Level ENSO El Niño Southern Oscillation FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations GDP Gross Domestic Product GFDRR Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery GIS Geographic Information Systems GoA&B Government of Antigua and Barbuda IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture ILO International Labour Organization LFS Labour Force Survey M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MTDS Medium Term Development Strategy SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR x NODS National Office of Disaster Services OECD Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States PCM Project Cycle Management PDNA Post-Disaster Needs Assessment RCI Recovery Capacity Index RCP Representative Concentration Pathway SIDS Small Island Developing States SLR Sea Level Rise SMEs Small and Medium-sized Enterprises SRCA Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment TORs Terms of Reference UNCRPD United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Acronyms Glossary of key terminology xi Building code: A set of ordinances or regulations and the strengthening of resilience and reduction of disas- associated standards intended to regulate aspects ter losses. of the design, construction, materials, alteration and occupancy of structures which are necessary to Disaster risk reduction: Disaster risk reduction is ensure human safety and welfare, including resistance aimed at preventing new and reducing existing disas- to collapse and damage.1 ter risk and managing residual risk, all of which con- tribute to strengthening resilience and therefore to the Build back better: The use of the recovery, rehabil- achievement of sustainable development. itation and reconstruction phases after a disaster to increase the resilience of nations and communities Disaster risk assessment: A qualitative or quantitative through integrating disaster risk reduction measures approach to determine the nature and extent of disas- into the restoration of physical infrastructure and soci- ter risk by analyzing potential hazards and evaluating etal systems, and into the revitalization of livelihoods, existing conditions of exposure and vulnerability that economies and the environment. together could harm people, property, services, liveli- hoods and the environment on which they depend. Coping capacity: The ability of people, organizations and systems, using available skills and resources, to Exposure: The situation of people, infrastructure, manage adverse conditions, risk or disasters. The housing, production capacities and other tangible capacity to cope requires continuing awareness, human assets located in hazard-prone areas. resources and good management, both in normal times as well as during disasters or adverse condi- Hazard: A process, phenomenon or human activ- tions. Coping capacities contribute to the reduction of ity that may cause loss of life, injury or other health disaster risks. impacts, property damage, social and economic dis- ruption or environmental degradation. Critical infrastructure: The physical structures, facili- ties, networks and other assets which provide services Preparedness: The knowledge and capacities devel- that are essential to the social and economic function- oped by governments, response and recovery orga- ing of a community or society. nizations, communities and individuals to effectively anticipate, respond to and recover from the impacts of Disaster risk management: Disaster risk management likely, imminent or current disasters. is the application of disaster risk reduction policies and strategies to prevent new disaster risk, reduce existing Prevention: Activities and measures to avoid existing disaster risk and manage residual risk, contributing to and new disaster risks. 1 The following key terminology is provided by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction. Online resource available at: https:// www.undrr.org/terminology SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR xii Recovery: The restoring or improving of livelihoods and Retrofitting: Reinforcement or upgrading of existing health, as well as economic, physical, social, cultural structures to become more resistant and resilient to and environmental assets, systems and activities, of a the damaging effects of hazards. disaster-affected community or society, aligning with the principles of sustainable development and “build Reconstruction: The medium- and long-term rebuild- back better”, to avoid or reduce future disaster risk. ing and sustainable restoration of resilient critical infrastructures, services, housing, facilities and liveli- Response: Actions taken directly before, during or hoods required for the full functioning of a community immediately after a disaster in order to save lives, or a society affected by a disaster, aligning with the reduce health impacts, ensure public safety and meet principles of sustainable development and “build back the basic subsistence needs of the people affected. better”, to avoid or reduce future disaster risk. Resilience: The ability of a system, community or Vulnerability: The conditions determined by physical, society exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accom- social, economic and environmental factors or pro- modate, adapt to, transform and recover from the cesses which increase the susceptibility of an individ- effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, ual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of including through the preservation and restoration of hazards. its essential basic structures and functions through risk management. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Glossary of key terminology 01 1 Introduction Photo: stevegeer | istock.com 2 1.1 Need for Timely, Inclusive and for the development of recovery policies and programs Resilient Recovery in the Caribbean (GFDRR, 2020) more rapidly. This is particularly import- ant in the Caribbean Small Island Development States The Caribbean region is highly prone to disasters, (SIDS), where long-standing and pervasive human-re- including hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, flooding, source constraints and country-specific technical and landslides. Higher temperatures, changing precip- capacity gaps, both at the national government level itation patterns, more frequent, intense, and extreme and in all sectors, represent major obstacles for plan- weather events, and sea level rise (SLR) resulting from ning and implementing timely and efficient disaster climate change, further exacerbate disaster risk in the recovery operations. Consequently, a better under- region. Major hazard impacts destroy infrastructure standing of capacity gaps and a focus on strengthening and property, result in losses from foregone output existing recovery capacity of the development sectors and incomes, and escalate costs as individuals and most affected by disasters in these countries can businesses are forced to work around disruptions. increase the efficiency and effectiveness of recovery Disasters jeopardize hard-won national development investments. The Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility gains and growth prospects, erode fiscal cushions, (CRF) has engaged in the standardized assessment of and disproportionately impact the wellbeing of the recovery capacity needs in key development sectors poor. Caribbean countries lost an average of 3.6 per- of six Caribbean nations as a first step to assist coun- cent of aggregate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per tries to bridge recovery capacity gaps and build resil- year Between 2000 and 2019 to damages related to ience to climate impacts and disasters. The countries natural hazards, compared to 0.3 percent in all emerg- are Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, ing markets and developing economies (World Bank, Saint Lucia, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines and 2021). Indeed, the economic cost of disasters in the the assessment could be undertaken in other countries, Caribbean region is so high that it often exceeds the depending on demand. size of the economy of the countries affected (Ötker and Srinivasan, 2018). 1.2 Assessing Sectoral Recovery Capacity H ‌ owever, more timely and inclusive recovery efforts in the Caribbean and consequently, faster and better reconstruction can lower social and economic burdens and allow a In order to assist Caribbean governments prepare more rapid recovery of pre-disaster development lev- for timely, efficient, and effective implementation els. This critically depends on strong public systems of inclusive, climate-resilient recovery projects, the that can rapidly coordinate and cost-effectively mobi- CRF developed the Sectoral Recovery Capacity lize resources, reconstruct infrastructure, deliver ser- Assessment (SRCA) in partnership with the Caribbean vices, and enable the rebuilding of local economies in Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) the aftermath of disasters. Confronted with recurrent and has coordinated activities with the Enabling extreme weather conditions and the prospect of more Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate frequent and intense hydrometeorological events and Environmental Resilience in the Caribbean with climate change, resilient recovery planning and (EnGenDER) project for its implementation. The investments have become a priority for the Caribbean SRCA has been included in CDEMA’s Comprehensive region. Disaster Management (CDM) Audit Tool, which covers the different phases of the Disaster Risk Management Preparing for recovery entails enhancing ex-ante the (DRM) cycle (figure 2), to complement the national capacity of national governments to recover from recovery component of the tool, and to facilitate the losses and damages, define and strengthen institutional identification of solutions to sectoral capacity issues and financial systems that support the recovery pro- that could delay the implementation of recovery cess, and obtain the necessary political commitment projects. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Introduction FIGURE 2 3 Disaster Risk Management cycle. Asterisks indicate the phases of the DRM cycle that are most relevant for the SRCA. These are the recovery phase and the preparedness phase, where the necessary actions for recovery need to be implemented. Limita tion Event of da m Preparations a ge for interventions s Intervention Preparedness > Management * > Early warning and early Recondition Respo actions systems nse > Resources for interventions ss ne > Emergency planning ion an repared > Training and exercises > Individual preparations Understanding dP duction > Risk transfer systems, e.g - Insurance Risk - Safety nets Event analysis ent > Forecast-based financing > Documentation of event ity re Re ev > Lessons learnt for co Pr ver Even preparednesss, response y and recovery l Prevention and mitigation bi t ra > Policy and planning E lne > Structural measures and val nature-based solutions Recovery, rehabilitation and u * u V - Technical measures a reconstruction (”Build back better”) tio - Biological measures > Strengthening resilience n > Organisational measures > Livelihoods and ecosystem restoration > Financing recovery, rehabilitation and DRR Actions - Development reconstruction & Humanitarian Nexus Emergency Response - Humanitarian Actions Source: Adapted from FOCP (2020). Results of the SRCA are expected to serve as planning governments and other stakeholders. Based on their instruments and benefit national governments, sec- own criteria, priorities, and needs, each government toral stakeholders, national DRM agencies, and CDEMA selects the sector to be assessed. The Government in their efforts to enable a rapid and effective recov- of Antigua and Barbuda selected agriculture in view ery in the aftermath of disasters. Recommendations of its economic and social importance, the conse- emerging from the assessment will also inform the quences of previous disasters and the vulnerability of prioritization, design, and implementation of recov- the sector, its infrastructure and investments vis-a-vis ery-related capacity-building activities under the CRF, projected climate change impacts, including more fre- and inform potential investments to prepare for recov- quent tropical storms and SLR. ery as well as additional activities to be led by national Introduction SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 4 1.3 Specific objectives of the SRCA for includes a series of complementary areas covered the agriculture sector in Antigua and under the component, referred to as key elements. Barbuda In turn, each key element covers a series of topics, referred to as sub elements. Gender and disability The objectives of the SRCA are to: inclusion are crosscutting issues. The assessment structure establishes a relational cascade between the » Improve the understanding of the existing capac- components at policy-making level, their key elements ity of the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, at strategic and programmatic level, and the sub ele- its Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda ments at operational level of each key element. This Affairs, and other key stakeholders in the agricul- structure therefore allows addressing key enabling ture sector to take the necessary actions to prepare factors for recovery at each level of the framework for and undertake timely and efficient climate-re- (figure 3). silient, gender-responsive and disability-inclusive disaster recovery projects. Data collection and analysis: The assessment is based » Identify capacity gaps, weaknesses, and challenges on data and information retrieved from a desk review that limit the timely and efficient implementation of and a consultation process with key public and private recovery projects in Antigua and Barbuda’s agricul- stakeholders, who — over the course of multiple ses- ture sector. sions carried out online — completed the SRCA ques- » Identify opportunities for investments to support tionnaire, which was designed following the SRCA Antigua and Barbuda’s agriculture sector and insti- framework structure (see Annex 3). When stakehold- tutions in overcoming recovery capacity gaps, ers disagreed on the response to specific questions, weaknesses, and limitations – for example, policy the team in charge of the assessment moderated dis- reforms, institutional restructuring, training, and cussions, based on evidence whenever possible, until investments –, and prioritize interventions to be an agreement was reached. Additionally, where the financed by the government as well as by bilateral responses differed from the results of the desk review, and multilateral donors to improve the sector’s the team posed additional questions to identify the capacity to prepare for recovery. reasons for the mismatch. For the analysis of the collected information, the SRCA 1.4 Assessment methodology methodology uses semi-quantitative approaches that enable the translation of qualitative and value The SRCA methodology was designed to evaluate the judgments into numerical values within established conditions and extent to which existing national and ranges. These approaches include a scoring system sectoral capacity enable timely, effective, and coor- that assigns quantitative values to the qualitative dinated gender-informed and disability-inclusive cli- information collected for each of the questions in the mate-resilient disaster recovery in the framework of SRCA questionnaire, including the narrative responses national DRM policy. Specifically, the SRCA assesses that stakeholders provide during consultations (Table the conditions under which recovery considerations 1), and the Recovery Capacity Index (RCI) calculated have been integrated into sectoral policies, plans, insti- from the scores assigned to the responses. Resulting tutions, and administrative, financial, and operative RCI values describe the extent to which the consider- processes, as well as the extent of the integration. ations necessary for effective recovery are taken into account and integrated by the sector as part of stan- Assessment Framework: The SRCA framework con- dard sectoral processes and operationalization of the sists of three main and interrelated components, country’s DRM policies. namely, (i) Governance, (ii) Competencies, and (iii) Resources and Tools. Each of these components SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Introduction FIGURE 3 5 The SRCA framework structure. C1, C2, and C3 are the main and inter-related components of the assessment, each consisting of a set of key elements (KE) and their respective sub elements (SE). The information required for the analysis of components, key elements, and sub elements is provided by answers to a set of questions per sub element (Q) included in the SRCA assessment questionnaire. The yellow and purple circles represent crosscutting issues. The triangles indicate the relational cascade among the different levels of the structure and the dotted circle denotes the interconnectedness of the three main capacity components. Q1, Q2, …, Qn SE1, SE2,…, SEn KE1, KE2, …, KEn r nde lity C1. Governance Ge abi Dis RECOVERY nd C2 ols s a .C To urce n om KE KE pe En o …, 1, es te ,S SE KE 2, .R nc Qn 1, 2,… KE 2, ie C3 SE Q1 s …, …, SE 1, 2,… ,Q KE KE 2, 1, ,Q 2, ,S n SE …, En Q1 Qn TABLE 1 . Scoring system for the quantitative evaluation of qualitative responses to questions in the SRCA questionnaire. Score Type of response to the question Evidence 4 A qualified YES Minor problem / no No need for action or Yes Adequate problem measure 3 In progress (> 75 percent Moderate problem Need for action and Partially Acceptable completed) measure 2 In progress Major problem Need for action and Partially Scarce measure (> 50 percent completed) 1 Planned or started with Severe problem Immediate action and acute No Minimum minimum actions measure 0 A definitive NO Catastrophic problem Immediate action and acute No None measure Introduction SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 6 The RCI values obtained for each level of the assess- timely, inclusive, and resilient recovery — and of those ment are presented in spider charts and a traffic light in need for urgent capacity building or other interven- system categorizes RCI values. This provides a rapid tions — areas with absent or low level of integration of overview of the areas where recovery capacity is factors enabling a timely, inclusive, and resilient recov- strong — high level of integration of factors enabling a ery. Table 2 presents the traffic light system. TABLE 2 Traffic light system used to categorize Recovery Capacity Index (RCI) values. RCI value range Appreciation of the extent to which recovery considerations are integrated in the sector Low or absent Absent integration of recovery considerations across the sector due to specific limiting integration elements. Low level of awareness and knowledge about the importance and added value HIGH 0–24 of recovery integration for sectoral development. Basic or Incipient integration of recovery considerations takes place at different levels of the incipient sector. Some elements are under development, with a certain level of incidence to generate integration an institutional culture. There is a certain level of awareness and knowledge about the 25–49 importance and added value of recovery integration for sectoral development. CAPACITY BUILDING NEEDS Moderated Evident integration of recovery considerations takes place at the majority of levels integration in the sector. An institutional culture that supports and updates recovery factors and 50–74 includes them in sectoral planning processes is identified. A good level of awareness and knowledge about the importance and added value of recovery integration for sectoral development exists. Advanced Evident integration of recovery considerations takes place at most levels in the sector, integration as it is part of sectoral strategic planning processes. Adaptation tools are available to 75– 89 enable the continuity of operations during contingencies, in a coordinated, practical, and documented way. There is also a high capacity to value the impact and contribution of recovery integration to the sector development, and to programmatic efficiency and efficacy. Full integration Integrating recovery considerations at all levels is a working principle, managed as part of 90–100 the sector’s organizational culture. Tools and protocols for the continuous improvement of the sector’s performance and impact are available. LOW SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Introduction 02 7 The agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda Photo: Gamal Goodwin | istock.com 8 Historically, agriculture has been the dominant sector Over the years, the agricultural sector has gone of the economy in Antigua and Barbuda. In the 1960s, through a steep decline in productivity and competi- owing to the economic weight of the sugar industry, tiveness, and 79 percent of food is imported (GoA&B agriculture represented 40 percent of the country’s 2021). Several factors constrain the sector including Gross Domestic Product (GDP) (FAO 2015). The sec- the removal of preferential access to the European tor only contributes two percent to GDP (WBDI 2020) Union market, high labor costs, the small size of the and it accounts for 1.8 percent of employment (GoA&B domestic market, the absence of marketing struc- 2021). Of the 440 square kilometers of total land sur- tures and infrastructure, competition from imported face, 90 are devoted to agriculture, or approximately produces, limited land tenure rights, and inadequate 20 percent of the land (FAO 2018), and three quarters water supplies for irrigation as well as a regular suc- of the population live in rural areas (FAO 2018). cession of severe droughts and destructive hurricanes (FAO 2015). The industry largely comprises subsistence or small- scale commercial farming primarily for the domestic Antigua and Barbuda registers the lowest amount of market (GoA&B 2021). Sugar continues to be culti- rainfall among Caribbean islands. The country is also vated, but the main crops are now vegetables and low lying and relatively flat. As a result, it lacks a signif- fruits grown on small farms, such as banana, coconut, icant stream network and large surface water system, cucumber, mango, sugarcane, and pineapple. Fishing limiting it water resources for agriculture. While total contributes about half of the value added from the sec- average rainfall is approximately 453 million cubic tor. An active trade in livestock contributes to the pro- meters per year, renewable water resources are about duction of cattle, pork, chicken, and goat meat. More 52 million cubic meters per year. Without perennial riv- than 75 percent of the livestock production of Antigua, ers, the country depends on only a few intermittent riv- especially goats, takes place in the Central Plains and ers flowing seasonally, whose water can be stored in the north-eastern limestone formation; Barbuda is ponds and reservoirs. Agricultural water demands are almost entirely devoted to livestock production, save being met through five desalination plants, two sur- for a few agricultural stations and fenced farming face water treatment plants, numerous small ponds areas (FAO 2015). and five well fields. In Barbuda, where about three per- cent of the population lives, most of the water comes The development of the agriculture sector is guided from shallow wells. Agriculture accounts for nearly 20 by the National Food and Nutrition Policy of 2012 percent of annual water withdrawal (FAO 2015). and the related National Food and Nutrition Security Action Plan, which are closely aligned to the the related National Food and Nutrition Security Action 2.1 Disaster impacts in Antigua and Plan, which are closely aligned to the Organisation Barbuda of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Action Plan on Agriculture for 2012-2022, the Caribbean Community’s Antigua and Barbuda is located in a highly seismic (CARICOM) Regional Food Security Plan 2011-2025 area within the Atlantic hurricane belt. It is extremely and the CARICOM Agriculture Policy (GoA&B 2021). exposed to droughts, tropical storms, and floods, The long term goal is to achieve sustainable food among other natural hazards of varying degrees of and nutrition security and to eliminate all forms of intensity and severity. It is estimated that 100 percent malnutrition to have a well-nourished and healthy of the land area and 100 percent of the population are population, which is presently affected by the double exposed to two or more hazards. Antigua and Barbuda burden of obesity at 18.9 percent of the adult popula- comes among the top 20 countries in risk to GDP, with tion and hunger at 20.5 percent of the total population approximately 80 percent of economic activities at (UNOCHA 2020). risk from the impacts of two or more hazards (Dilley et al. 2005). The agriculture sector in SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Antigua and Barbuda Both El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and La at approximately two-thirds of the country’s GDP 9 Niña exert a high influence on Antigua and Barbuda’s (GFDRR 2010). climate. La Niña tends to cause wetter and colder conditions. On the contrary, El Niño episodes bring Most of the destruction experienced over the last few warmer- and drier-than-average conditions during the decades from passing storms has come from floods June to November hurricane season. Climate patterns and their impact on property and infrastructure. The defined by these two phenomena are especially rele- country is vulnerable to all types of flooding, namely vant for the agricultural sector, as the country relies on land-based floods, riverine and coastal floods, and rainfall during the wet season to recharge water catch- ponding. Barbuda is a coral limestone island and ments also used for agriculture. is especially subject to coastal flooding and pond- ing events due to its extremely flat profile. Antigua is The Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services characterized by an unusually quick run-off, and in the (AMS) recorded a total of 24 drought episodes north east and central regions of the island – which between 1928 and 2007, (GoA&B 2017a). A severe also support a relatively extensive agricultural belt – drought affected the country in 2014-2015, a and a ponding and flash floods are prevalent. In both islands, state of emergency had to be declared as most sur- the greatest risk is posed by storm surge and wave face reservoirs were depleted and the main one, Pot action, and low elevations coupled with deeply intru- Works Dam, was given merely six weeks of national sive bays provide ample opportunity for flood events supply (GoA&B 2017a). Other years of depleted water to occur (FAO 2015). catchments include 2009-2010, 2000-2003, 1991 and 1983, when water had to be brought from Dominica to While tsunamis are not considered major recurrent offset the lack of supply (Destin 2015). risk for Antigua and Barbuda, the low lying nature of the islands make them particularly vulnerable to this Multiple hurricanes hit Antigua and Barbuda Between hazard. Tsunami risk is largely associated with the 1980 and 2017, causing significant physical and potential effects of an eruption of Kick-‘em-Jenny, financial damages. The Meteorological Services located north of the island of Grenada, and tsunamis Department estimates that, on average, Antigua and could result from a major earthquake in the region, Barbuda stands a 33 percent chance of at least one which is one of the most seismically active globally hurricane passing within 120 miles of the country in (GFDRR 2010). any given year (Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Services 2019). Notably, intense storms that passed directly over the islands include Luis a category 4 hur- 2.2 Climate change impacts on ricane in 1995; Georges category 3 in 1998, and Irma agriculture and Maria, both category 5 hurricanes in 2017. The impact of storms can be crippling for the economy. Climate change will worsen extreme events and bring Hurricanes Irma and Maria had both catastrophic additional threats to agriculture production. The agri- effects, with USD 136 million in total damages, USD culture sector in the Caribbean region is vulnerable to 19 million in losses, and USD 222 million in recovery a range of climate change impacts, from lower wet needs, representing 12 percent, 2 percent, and 21 season rainfall to higher temperatures, SLR, and an percent of 2017 GDP, respectively (GFDRR 2017). increase in hurricane intensity and frequency (Knutson Hurricane Irma was especially ruinous for the agri- et al. 2019). culture sector, destroying or significantly damaging crops, livestock, apiculture, the fishing industry, as It is anticipated that the Caribbean region, mostly well as agriculture infrastructure, machinery, and consisting of SIDS, will be among the most severely equipment (GoA&B 2021). Damages estimated in impacted by changes in climate conditions. The the aftermath of Hurricane Luis were also placed Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) The agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 10 Increasingly higher temperatures will affect crop growth and nutritional value, as well as the number and type of Climate change projections for pests, diseases, and weeds. Changing rainfall intensity, Antigua and Barbuda* duration, and occurrence will alter the growing season and affect water availability, with increasing storm inten- » Higher mean annual temperatures (0.91° sities leading to higher flood risk during heavy rains as to 1.3°C) by 2050. well as increased soil erosion. Changing rainfall patterns » Lower annual precipitation (136.17mm to and rising temperatures will also lead to more severe 880.51mm) in 2040-2059. drought episodes causing water stress. Water quality » Higher annual maximum 5-day rainfall (25- may also be reduced due to seasonal lack of water avail- year return level) (32.05mm to 212.40mm) ability and saltwater intrusion due to excessive ground- in 2040-2059, with frequency of Category water extraction, especially along the coast. 4 and 5 hurricanes increasing by 25-30 percent. Figure 4 shows the areas affected by inland flooding for a 100-year return period. Coastal inundation sce- *Representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5 ensemble. nario maps are presented in Annex 2. Source: World Bank 2020. 2.3 COVID-19 impacts on agriculture estimates that the consequences of climate change The COVID-19 global pandemic affected the activi- for the Caribbean region will be an intensification ties of the food system (food production, processing, of the impacts from natural hazards, with extreme distribution, marketing and consumption) and its out- weather events becoming both more frequent and comes, particularly food security and social well-being. more intense (IPCC 2022). In Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC), agriculture is a labor-intensive sector, and workers throughout The majority of Caribbean nations are small in size, the chain have been exposed both physically and eco- feature high concentrations of human presence and nomically to the COVID-19 global pandemic. productive activities along the coast, and are located in areas highly prone to extreme weather events. According to the index of the occupational information Antigua and Barbuda is no exception. Coupled with network (O*NET), workers in the agriculture sector are the growth of the country’s population and economy, among those requiring the least physical proximity in climate change has the potential to result in serious the entire economy – 45 on a scale of 1 to 100 – to human, financial, and environmental losses. perform their work (ECLAC 2020b). Over the course of the pandemic, the risks arose because agricul- Climate change will have a particularly significant tural workers’ jobs were classified as essential, and impact on agriculture, as traditional agricultural prac- the tasks involved could not be performed remotely. tices are climate dependent. Climate change threatens Workers therefore continued to move around and Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural sector through its interact with each other, even during quarantine peri- direct effects on crop production and livestock viability, ods. In addition, agricultural workers in the LAC region and the impact of climate-related changes in tempera- show higher rates of informality and their wages are ture and rain patterns may seriously affect agricultural below the global average (ECLAC 2020b). production and threaten food security. The agricultural sector already suffers regularly from severe hurricane COVID-19 impacted the LAC region in multiple ways, and drought damage and, as temperatures continue and the agricultural sector in particular because of the to rise, several crops will experience heat stress and decline in the economic activity of the region’s main lack the ideal climate conditions for maximizing yields. The agriculture sector in SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Antigua and Barbuda Inland flooding for a 100-year return period in Antigua and Barbuda 11 FIGURE 4 . The agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 12 trading partners and the subsequent effects, the drop US$5 million from the Special Climate Change Fund in global commodity prices, and the interruption of (SCCF) and co-financed by the Government of Antigua global value chains (ECLAC 2020a). According to a and Barbuda itself. The project’s primary objectives survey jointly developed by four development institu- have been to develop innovative financing mecha- tions on COVID-19 impacts on food security and live- nisms to fund adaptation interventions through the lihoods, 69 percent of agricultural workers in the LAC Sustainable Island Resource Framework Fund (SIRF region reported a loss of jobs or reduced salaries, and Fund) and to strengthen national policies and plans to 12 percent were forced to resort to alternative sources promote adaptation to climate change (GEF 2014). of income (World Food Programme 2021). In Antigua and Barbuda, the most affected group was that of rain- Two additional projects aimed at strengthening the fed farmers. Thirty seven percent of respondents indi- climate resilience of the country’s infrastructure have cated lower levels of sales compared with the same been a US$9.9 million project funded by the Adaptation period of the previous year, and 66 percent reported Fund – an integrated approach to physical adaptation unusual difficulties with selling their crop, livestock or and community resilience in Antigua and Barbuda’s fish production, including 21 percent lower demand northwest McKinnon’s watershed (AF 2017), and a than usual, 19 percent constrained access to market, US$20 million multi-country project supported by the and 14 percent of the usual traders not coming to buy Green Climate Fund – Integrated physical adaptation their produce. Sixty nine percent of the farmer and and community resilience through an enhanced direct fisher respondents also had to give away or destroy access pilot in the public, private, and civil society sec- a part of their production owing to lack of marketing tors of three eastern Caribbean SIDS (GCF 2018). Both and storage capacity (World Food Programme 2021).  projects address resilience through a multi-stake- holder approach and promote flood reduction using an ecosystems-based approaches. The focus of these 2.4 Infrastructure projects is on drainage infrastructure to prevent flood- ing and water-borne disease vector management Antigua and Barbuda’s agricultural sector is particu- combined with the establishment of community shel- larly exposed to SLR and storm surges given its low ters using non-governmental organization (NGO) and lying and flat terrain. Strong winds and heavy rain community buildings rather than schools. during storms pose risks to the built and natural envi- ronment, populations, and economy located along the Drought-resilient infrastructure in Antigua consists of coast, and underscore the importance of coastal flood five reverse osmosis desalination plants: (i) the Crabs defense systems. Additionally, the country is drought Plant with a capacity of 5.1 million cubic meters per prone, which makes it difficult to depend entirely on year, (ii) the Ivan Rodrigues Plant of 2.6 million cubic surface water and groundwater to address agricultural meters per year, (iii) the Camp Blizzard Plant and the and other needs, and creates the necessity for supple- (iv) Fryes Beach Plant of 980.000 cubic meters per year mentary water production processes. each, and (v) the Pigeon Point Plant of 550.000 cubic meters per year. Total desalination capacity is approx- Investing in adequate storm and flood adaptation has imately 10 million cubic meters per year (APUA 2022). been complicated by the small size of the economy Two water treatment plants ensure an additional and population, as well as by a very high public debt to total volume of 3.7 million cubic meters per year, of GDP ratio, which was 97 percent in 2020 (ECB 2020). which the Delapps plant accounts for 2.5 million cubic Nonetheless, the government has been implementing meters per year and the Bendals plant for 1.2 million a US$18 million project – Building climate resilience cubic meters per year (APUA 2022). Approximately 43 through innovative financing mechanisms for climate active wells have a capacity of 650.000 cubic meters change adaptation. The project is funded by a grant of per year in the country, with major well fields situated The agriculture sector in SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Antigua and Barbuda in the Bendals Valley, and in the areas of Bolands and 2.5 Gender, agriculture, climate change, 13 Collins (APUA 2022). and disasters In Barbuda, with a population of less than 2000 peo- Single and female-headed households tend to be more ple, most of the water supply comes from shallow vulnerable to and at risk from falling into poverty as wells. The water obtained from wells in the Palmetto well as disaster risk, with female-headed households Point area is potable, however other wells around the often larger than male-headed households (GoA&B island have been found to be saline in content. To 2021). In most family units, women tend to carry the ensure the provision of water in times of drought. The main burden of childcare as well as domestic respon- Antigua Public Utilities Authority (APUA) has installed sibilities (Caribbean Development Bank 2014). Data a reverse osmosis plant in Barbuda producing approx- indicate that the household size averages 2.7 mem- imately 113.6 cubic meters per day or 0.041 million bers (Caribbean Development Bank 2014), and that cubic meters per year to meet the needs of the resi- households headed by women remain in the two poor- dents there (FAO 2015). est quintiles (UNICEF 2017).   It is estimated that there are about 18 small to medium Women’s educational attainment and labor force par- reservoirs, and more than 550 ponds and earth dams, ticipation are high overall, yet women register less with a total combined capacity of approximately 6 participation in the labor market compared to men, million cubic meters per year in 2013. Reservoirs for with the disparity increasing with age. Regarding their agricultural purposes have a total capacity of 1 million education, 82.1 percent of females are enrolled in sec- cubic meters per year. The main ones are at Bethesda ondary school, as opposed to 78.9 percent of males with 537 000 cubic meters per year, ASF Dams with (Caribbean Development Bank 2014), and the share of 116 000 cubic meters per year, Langfords with 110 000 young females between 15 and 24 years of age with cubic meters per year, Gunthorpes with 93 000 cubic upper secondary attainment is 51.5 percent, com- meters per year, Red Hill with 46 000 cubic meters per pared to 43.2 percent of males (GoA&B 2015). year and Bendals with 23 000 cubic meters per year (FAO 2015). Women are employed in full time work at higher rates than men, athough with persistent earnings differ- Surface water supplies represent the main source of entials. Indeed, in the 2018 Labour Force Survey, it irrigation water for agriculture, with occasional use of emerged that women tend to occupy lower income groundwater when municipal demand allows. Most bands relative to men (GoA&B 2018a). Earlier reports of the ponds and dams are privately owned and are on gender and employment in the country underscored not under the control of the MoAFBA or APUA. During both wage discrimination in the private sector and that drought periods, irrigation is restricted to specific areas women were pursuing occupations that paid less than due to the shortfall in surface water and groundwater those sought after by men (ILO 2018). According to yields, and most surface water storage is diverted to the most recent census, conducted in 2011, women municipal supply. In 2014, 3.8 square kilometers were are overwhelmingly represented among those who are irrigated, with localized irrigation being the only tech- economically inactive due to household duties, at 90.4 nology used. Government-owned irrigation schemes percent (GoA&B 2014).   are located in Sanderson, Bethesda, and Potworks, with Sanderson and Bethesda serving 10 households Antigua and Barbuda scores 66.3 on the Women, each, and Potworks serving 15 households (FAO Business, and the Law 2022 Index, suggesting that 2015). women have slightly less than two thirds of the legal protections and equality of men (World Bank 2022).   The main gender gaps relate to parent- hood, where limited protections are in place. Certain The agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 14 categories of workers, such as domestic workers, materials used by agroprocessors. Access to water have inadequate provisions for paid maternity leave or and water quality were mentioned as challenges for protections. Moreover, civil or criminal penalties do not agroprocessing operations such as juice making, and exist for cases of sexual harassment in the workplace the high initial investment for water storage was iden- (World Bank 2021), although legislation on workplace tified as a barrier. Likewise, access and insurance of harassment is pending (Marshall 2019).  greenhouses are out of reach for many small-scale and new farmers.   Agriculture and food production have traditionally been male-dominated sectors. Women account for While gender equality and the empowerment of nearly 38 percent of agricultural workers, about half of women in all spheres of life are stated priorities of the whom work part-time (GoA&B 2018a), and of the 100 Government of Antigua and Barbuda (GoA&B 2021), crop farmers identified in 2020, 84 percent were male these priorities have not been formalized in the agri- (Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Barbuda Affairs culture and food production sectors. In practice, the 2020). Women are believed to be more active in infor- 2018 Gender Policy of the Department of Environment mal activities and for those with limited registration. partly fills this role (GoA&B 2018b). Preliminary dis- They are involved in agro-processing as well as in mar- cussions were initiated regarding the development keting and distribution, including the sale of produce in of a gender policy between the MoAFBA and the the market (Adams-Matthew 2020).   Directorate of Gender Affairs (DoGA). A couple of new programs, not yet fully operational, such as the Land ownership is also significantly skewed towards Resilient Caribbean joint initiative of the Food and men. Across the five agricultural districts of Antigua Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and Barbuda, between two and ten times more land is and the CARICOM, will directly engage women farm- registered to men in acreage, affecting women’s ability ers in sustainable and climate resilient practices. The to access finance, insurance, and renewable energy programs will include the enhanced use of renewable investments (UNDP 2020). Lack of access to informa- energy and expanded irrigation systems, investment tion, as well as legal and financial illiteracy, constrain in school feeding programs, and food and nutritional women’s activities and make it hard to scale up busi- security for those falling behind (CARICOM 2017).   nesses in the sector (UNDP 2020). Onerous bureau- cratic requirements, opaque rules and procedures, and poor communication and public awareness represent 2.6 Disability and agriculture further limitations. Many farmers, including women farmers, lack a business plan, as well as the prerequi- It is estimated that about 5.3 percent of Antigua and sites for loans and for access to land for rent or lease Barbuda’s population live with some kind of disabil- (UNDP 2020).   ity or impediment, of which 2.25 percent or 834 per- sons are males and 3.06 percent or 1,250 persons are The threats of climate change to women’s livelihoods females. Possibly these figures may be even higher, as are temperature increases, a scarcer availability of and it is believed that some 1,215 males and 1,172 females more limited access to water, and water quality itself. failed to provide sufficient information to establish These three factors were cited by key informants via whether they were disabled or not (GoA&B 2014). focus group discussions carried out between June and September 20212. Rising temperatures were men- The two main disabilities in the country are impaired tioned as a significant threat for livestock and poultry mobility and visual disability. People indicating diffi- farmers, and to crops, including vegetables and herbs. culties or the impossibility to walk account for 1.15 These trends also have implications for the raw percent of the total population, while the visually impaired are 0.98 percent. Except for communication 2 Personal communication with key informants, September 2021. The agriculture sector in SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Antigua and Barbuda impairments, women have higher reported levels of event of a natural disaster, identify and access shel- 15 disability compared to men (GoA&B 2014). ters. These shelters are equipped to handle the needs of women, single parent families, people with disabil- Antigua and Barbuda signed the United Nations ities, young men and women, and other individuals Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities with special circumstances. The government equally (UNCRPD) as well as the Optional Protocol, in March reiterated its intentions to expand the existing social 2007 (UNCRPD 2007). However, the UNCRPD was not protection mechanisms to comprise unemployment ratified until January 2016, and the Optional Protocol is benefits, access to insurance mechanisms for the vul- yet to be ratified. National legislation in support of the nerable, and financial inclusion (GoA&B 2021). UNCRPD commitments and obligations was enacted in 2017 with the Disabilities and Equal Opportunities The country has a range of disability support organiza- Act 2017. It set up a national framework to support tions representing people with disabilities across the people living with disabilities and established the spectrum of physical, sensory, and mental disabilities, National Council of and for Persons with Disabilities which provide them with a level of day-to-day support. (GoA&B 2017b). This legislation makes provision for However, they have little influence on the allocation of the rights of people with disabilities, prohibiting any resources for people with disabilities or national pol- form of discrimination based on disability and stipu- icy. The Antigua and Barbuda Association of Persons lating substantial legal penalties in case of violations. with Disabilities (ABAPD) is the cross-disability Still, while this law includes provisions for the right to national umbrella organization likely to provide repre- reasonable accommodation and equal standards of sentation in national DRM policy and planning forums, health care – which would have indirect relevance to and a member of the Disabled Peoples’ International DRM and longer-term resilience – the rights of peo- network of national organizations or assemblies of ple with disabilities or the responsibilities of govern- disabled people. The organization has been high- ment towards people with disabilities in the event of lighting how people with disabilities are dispropor- catastrophic disasters find no direct mention (GoA&B tionately vulnerable in time of emergencies, and that 2017b). they face numerous challenges accessing resources for response and recovery. It has also been vocal in It is expected that this might be forthcoming, as the its demands that special considerations be offered Government of Antigua and Barbuda reaffirmed its to people with disabilities in information sharing and commitment to implement strategies that ensure that evacuation procedures (ABAPD 2022). vulnerable persons and their families are able to, in the The agriculture sector in Antigua and Barbuda SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 03 16 The Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment implementation process in Antigua and Barbuda Photo: CGreene | istock.com In Antigua and Barbuda, the Civil Defence Commission implementation followed the process presented in 17 (CDC) bears the institutional responsibility for disaster figure 5. It started with a briefing to the CDC on the management. The CDC works closely with and sup- methodology and a desktop review. The MoAFBA com- ports the work of ministries, line agencies, and other pleted the assessment questionnaire and coordinated actors in risk management at the national and sec- a consultation – involving private sector stakeholders toral level. This SRCA has been implemented under –, to confirm, complement, and discuss the responses the leadership of the MoAFBA and the CDC. The provided to the questionnaire. FIGURE 5.. Diagrammatic representation of the assessment process ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR RESILIENT RECOVERY Governance Competencies Resources and Tools COLLECTION DATA ANALYSIS OF RECOMMENDATIONS OF DATA AND ANALYSIS RESULTS FRAMEWORK INFORMATION Desktop review Data analysis Analysis of Gaps Technical Assistance and constraints Assessment Results Country resources questionnaire visualization Identification of solutions and recommendations Semi-structured Identification of Other investments interviews and constraints stakeholder Reporting consultations Data verification Gaps identification Results validation The Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment implementation process in Antigua and Barbuda SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 04 18 Results Overview Photo: mitja2 | istock.com 4.1 General Findings and Development Institute (CARDI), which work in 19 agriculture in Antigua and Barbuda. Without a major The analyses conducted assessed the capacity of role in CDM or recovery processes, the MoAFBA has Antigua and Barbuda’s agriculture sector to plan, design not acquired, developed or sustained the capacities and execute resilient and inclusive recovery projects required to design and implement the full manage- in a timely, efficient, and effective manner as basic or ment cycle of recovery projects. The ministry neither incipient, with a sector level RCI of 47 (figure 6). The has the capacity to fully integrate gender, disability and capacity to undertake inclusive recovery in the sector risk considerations in its daily operations, thus missing is enabled, to a certain extent, by the resources and the opportunity to directly strengthen the resilience of tools available (RCI of 54) but constrained by limita- farmers and other stakeholders to shocks and to lead tions in the governance and operational competencies the risk-informed and sustainable economic transfor- required for recovery (RCI of 42 and 43 respectively). mation that is expected for the sector. The above findings are supported by the analysis of In general, capacity building interventions are required results at the key element level (Figure 7). However, it to: should be noted that while this more in-depth analysis suggests moderate strengths in the capacity to design » Increase DRM and recovery knowledge and basic resilient recovery projects (RCI of 54), undertake PDNA DRM implementation capacity, with a focus on and project portfolio planning (RCI of 66) and design gender and disability inclusive recovery frame- resilient recovery projects (RCI of 64), these capacities works, across the MoAFBA and farming commu- exist in the country and support the agriculture sector nities. This can enable the MoAFBA to take a more but are found beyond the MoAFBA, within the central important role in recovery planning and coordina- ministries that lead the planning and implementation tion before a catastrophic event and enable better of post-disaster needs assessments (PDNAs) and communication on the topic within the sector and recovery projects and within international organiza- across government agencies. tions, such as the Caribbean Agricultural Research FIGURE 6 Recovery Capacity Index for the components assessed in the sector: Governance, Competencies (operational capacity) and skills, and Resources and tools. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Sector RCI: 47 Low or absent (0-24) 1. Governance Basic or 100 Recovery Capacity Index incipent (25-49) 80 60 Moderate 42 (50–74) 40 20 Advanced (75–89) 0 43 Full 54 (90-100) 3. Resources 2. Competencies and Tools (operational capacity and skills) Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 20 FIGURE 7 Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements assessed: Policies and legal framework; Strategies and plans; Institutions and coordination; Workforce; Capacity (knowledge and skills); Human resources, Profile suitability; Natural-hazard data and risk information; Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) and Project portfolio planning; Resilient recovery project design; Financing; and Project implementation. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Component 3: Component 1: Resources and tools 1.1. Policies and Legal Governance Low or Framework absent 100 (0–24) 3.5. Project 1.2. Strategies and Plans Implementation 80 Basic or Recovery Capacity Index incipent 60 (25–49) 43 1.3. Institutions and 3.4. Financing 46 40 42 Coordination Moderate 46 20 41 (50–74) 0 3.3. Resilient recovery 54 42 2.1. Workforce Advanced project design (75–89) 28 48 66 Full 3.2. PDNA and Project 2.2. Capacity (knowledge (90-100) portfolio planning 64 and skills) 3.1. Natural-hazard data 2.3. Human resurces, and risk information Profile suitability Component 2: Competencies » Strengthen and streamline strategic planning pro- gender specialists, people with disabilities, or their cesses for recovery in agriculture, including ex-ante agents. definition of institutional arrangements for the development, coordination, and implementation of The following sections offer a more detailed anal- inclusive recovery strategies and plans. ysis of the results obtained for each of the compo- » Strengthen the use, generation, recording, and nents assessed. Key recommendations are provided management of hazard data and risk information in Section 5 and more detailed recommendations, relevant to agriculture within the MoAFBA and with including capacity building interventions, can be found farming communities, to ensure sectoral decisions in Annex 1. and activities are risk informed. » Improve and more widely disseminate informa- tion on funding sources, opportunities, and access 4.2 Findings for Governance mechanisms for recovery in the sector. Information should be shared using a range of communication At the level of governance, the capacity and enabling platforms and networks utilizing accessible com- factors for recovery in agriculture were assessed as munications technologies, and with a deliberate basic or incipient, with an RCI of 42 (Figure 8). Between focus on reaching women, people with disabilities, 2014 and 2015 the country established a DRM gover- and other excluded groups. nance structure, a guiding National CDM Policy and » Strengthen gender and disability inclusive DRM and Strategy (2014-2016) and CDM regulations establish- climate change integration in project design, imple- ing a clear disaster management structure and roles. mentation, monitoring, and evaluation through However, insufficient implementation of the CDM pol- early engagement and working in partnership with icy and regulatory framework had occurred by 2017, SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results Overview FIGURE 8 21 Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 1: Policies and Legal Framework, Strategies and Plans, and Institutions and Coordination. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Component 1 Low or Governance RCI: 42 absent 1.1. Policies and (0-24) Legal Framework 100 Basic or Recovery Capacity Index incipent 80 (25-49) 60 Moderate 43 (50–74) 40 20 Advanced (75–89) 0 41 42 Full (90-100) 1.3. Institutions 1.2. Strategies and and Coordination Plans when the country was struck by Hurricane Irma, and be bridged with the completion and approval of the affected by Hurricane Maria, which highlighted imme- National CDM Legislation that has been drafted (RCI diate needs for, among other things, improved disas- of 43). A National CDM Strategy, which complements ter risk information and communication, enhanced the National CDM Policy exists but its implementation disaster management capacities and better access to lags behind. At the sectoral level, enhancing readiness risk financing options (NODS, 2016) In the aftermath for inclusive recovery in agriculture requires formulat- of Hurricane Irma, housing, tourism and transport ing a sectoral development policy that integrates DRM were identified as the sectors with the largest financial – including recovery –, gender and disability consider- needs for recovery. With international support, build ations, along with a strategy for its operationalization back better efforts were made in the housing sector (RCI of 42). This policy and strategy should be aligned and the Government of China contributed to the recov- with current efforts to develop a National Adaptation ery process of ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA’s agriculture Plan and to elaborate a CDM plan for the sector. and tourism sectors in 2017. However, the country continues to face structural challenges related to the The CDM approach followed in Antigua and Barbuda high costs of reconstruction from Irma (IMF 2022), includes “multilevel, multidimensional (cross-sec- and its economy has been further affected by the toral) and multidisciplinary coordination and collabo- impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. ration among all stakeholders in addressing gaps in the disaster management cycle” but progress on this While progress has been made towards adopting a front, has been slow (RCI of 41), despite the inclusion CDM approach, the national disaster management of various elements to facilitate it in the National CDM policy framework is primarily focused on emer- Policy and Strategy. These elements encompass the gency preparedness and response and needs to be preparation of annual organizational disaster plans by revised, to integrate recovery more explicitly, taking each government department and the appointment of into account the lessons learned from recent disas- a recovery and mitigation coordinator to support the ters for priority setting. In addition, a DRM legislative national DRM system in recovery planning and coordi- framework is urgently needed, a need which could nation of CDM actions with communities. Advancing Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 22 in the planning and implementation of inclusive recov- Important findings from the Policy and Legal ery projects in the agriculture sector could also bene- Framework and other key elements for recovery gov- fit from a more participatory and systematic process ernance include: of sectoral DRM planning. It would also benefit from wider communication on the processes, as farming » The National Comprehensive Disaster Management communities do not feel their needs have been well (CDM) Policy and Strategy for Antigua and Barbuda represented and wide awareness of CDM policy and (2014-2016) is the main document that governs implementation outputs is lacking. disaster management in the country. It expresses the government’s commitment to strengthen The results obtained at the sub-element level support national capacity to implement CDM through a these findings (figure 9). They highlight the country’s series of strategic actions pertaining to: (i) the elab- moderate capacity to: (i) integrate disaster risk man- oration of additional and interconnected policies, agement and climate change adaptation into the (ii) updating the DRM legislation, (iii) ensuring ade- national and sectoral policy framework (RCI of 58), (ii) quate human and financial resources for the estab- to apply the build back better (BBB) approach in recov- lishment of an effective knowledge management ery operations (RCI of 50), although this has taken mechanism and program, (iv) strengthening DRM place primarily in the housing sector, and (iii) to coor- planning and implementation capacity of sectoral dinate disaster management – including recovery – lead agencies and communities, and (v) integrat- operations (RCI of 50). However, all other governance ing hazard information and DRM into sectoral pol- sub-elements ranked as basic or incipient. icies, laws, development planning and operations, FIGURE 9 Recovery Capacity Index for the sub elements of Component 1: Policies, Legal Framework, Foundations for recovery, Mainstreaming DRM & Climate Change Adaptation (CCA), Gender and disability inclusion in policy, Building codes and regulation mechanisms, Strategies and Plans, Build Back Better, Gender and disability inclusion in planning, Institutions, Coordination, Building codes and regulation compliance, and Gender and disability coordination mechanisms. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. 1.3 Institutions and 1.1 Policies and Legal Coordination Framework Low or 1.1.1. Policies absent 1.3.4. Gender and disability 100 (0–24) 1.1.2. Legal Framework coordination mechanisms 80 Basic or Recovery Capacity Index 1.3.3. Building codes and 1.1.3. Foundations for incipent 60 regulation compliance recovery (25–49) 41 40 34 25 Moderate 44 38 20 1.1.4. Mainstreaming (50–74) 1.3.2. Coordination 50 0 58 DRM&CCA 31 41 Advanced 38 (75–89) 42 1.1.5. Gender and disability 1.3.1. Institutions inclusion in policy 43 50 Full 1.1.6. Building codes and (90-100) 1.2.3. Gender and disability inclusion in planning regulation mechanisms 1.2.2. Build Back Better 1.2.1. Strategies and Plans 1.2 Strategies and Plans SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results Overview and decision-making in tourism, health, agriculture plans has been weak (NODS, 2016). Nonetheless, 23 and nutrition, education, planning and infrastruc- NODS strives to coordinate DRM actions with other tural development. The National Comprehensive government agencies, including those related to Disaster Management Policy includes resilience as projects such as assessment. a cross-cutting issue. It also recognizes the specific » CDM legislation has been drafted but it is still to and unique requirements for the development and be completed with sectoral inputs and approved. maintenance of a disaster management framework Therefore, at present the country lacks a legal in Barbuda and commits to allocate human and framework for the implementation of DRM actions. financial resources to improve efforts of disaster » Although recovery is mentioned in the National prevention and mitigation, recovery and rehabilita- CDM Policy, the Medium-Term Development tion in the island and deepen coordination with the Strategy 2016-2020 (MTDS) and in other docu- identified national agencies. This policy is mostly ments, evidence of the active integration of recov- focused on disaster preparedness and response, ery considerations into national and sectoral plans, although it mentions recovery. In its associated programs and strategies is practically missing and strategy, the creation of a recovery and mitigation the agriculture sector lacks a sectoral development coordinator position is proposed to support the policy. National Office of Disaster Services (NODS) direc- » The MTDS identifies agriculture as a primary sector tor in recovery planning and community coordina- to broaden national economic input and proposes tion and engagement in CDM – including recovery studying the feasibility of developing crop and live- – among other functions. stock insurance and the development of programs » Roles and responsibilities for DRM in Antigua and that enable climate change adaptation as mea- Barbuda are established in the Comprehensive sures to reinvigorate the sector. It is expected the Disaster Management Regulations of 2014. The National Adaptation Plan that is under completion National Disaster Council is the principal policy and sets priorities and specific guidance for adaptation advisory body to the Prime Minister on matters of in agriculture. DRM and CDM, including advisory on the realloca- » In its 2021 Voluntary National Review (VNR) the tion of funds for emergency response and recov- Government of Antigua and Barbuda indicated that ery. NODS is the Government agency responsible a new MTDS will be prepared, more closely aligned for the reduction of national vulnerability to natu- with the SDGs and designed to be more adaptive ral and technological hazards and the secretariat and responsive to exogenous shocks. The gov- of the national disaster management mechanism, ernment acknowledges the country is at high risk which managed through the NODS-Coordinating of natural hazard and climate change impacts, as Unit (NODS-CU). A national disaster coordinator well as the damage caused by Hurricane Irma and oversees the daily operations of the NODS-CU. A the COVID-19 pandemic and stresses the need district disaster committee has been established to strengthen adaptation and resilience-building in each of the country’s 17 political constituen- measures, stating “We cannot continue to lose our cies for the coordination, integration, supervision, development gains to shocks!” (GoA&B, 2021). The monitoring, and evaluation of CDM activities with process of elaboration of the new MTDS represents district authorities and communities. In addition, an opportunity to advance in the integration of each government department must appoint a liai- CDM – and inclusive recovery – considerations at son officer for communication with the Director the national and sectoral level. of NODS in relation to CDM procedures. These » Although the preparation of the National CDM officers are also responsible for the preparation of Policy has followed a participatory approach, annual organizational disaster plans to be submit- sectoral stakeholders consulted during the elab- ted to NODS. However, this mandate has not been oration of this assessment called for the farming properly addressed and the preparation of these community to be better represented in DRM policy Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 24 and strategic processes to ensure their needs are a series of measures to facilitate the rapid imple- included. They also called for better communica- mentation of effective recovery projects in the tion of these processes and their outputs. aftermath of disasters. » The elaboration of a draft sectoral DRM plan was » Complete the elaboration of the recovery plan initiated prior to Hurricane Irma but the process that was initiated for the agriculture sector before was halted. However, in 2021, FAO initiated discus- Hurricane Irma. This endeavour should follow a sions on recovery planning in agriculture, which highly participatory process, taking into account could reignite interest in the completion of the DRM the lessons learned from the recovery processes plan inclusive of recovery considerations. that followed Hurricane Irma and the COVID-19 » The government is proud of its management of the pandemic. The plan should integrate climate risks, COVID-19 pandemic, which included the develop- pandemics, and multi-hazard impact handling ment and adaptation of protocols in various sectors provisions, clarify roles and responsibilities for its to contain the spread and address the challenges implementation, monitoring and evaluation and brought by the virus. This included changes and include clear prioritized measures. This document new procedures in the health, tourism and educa- should give prominence to the MoAFBA as a coor- tion sectors. However, no specific procedures were dinator of recovery projects in the sector, to help established or adapted in the agriculture sector. measure progress and the development and imple- » Gender and disability inclusion are integrated as mentation of resilient recovery investments. cross-cutting themes in the national CDM policy » In direct engagement and partnership with gen- framework, however they must be more explicitly der specialists and people with disabilities or their addressed, with provisions that can be operational- representatives, develop and establish an effective ized both at the national and sectoral levels. process or mechanism to update sectoral policies, » Antigua and Barbuda adopted the 2015 OECD to integrate both gender- and disability-inclusive building code (OECS 2015), which was amended in recovery considerations and elements for their 2016 and revised in 2018. Among other risks it con- operationalization and coordination at the sectoral siders those related to fire, high winds and seismic level. This mechanism is lacking. hazards and includes accessibility guidelines for » Raise awareness among government institutions, persons with disabilities. The Development Control regional partners, and other sectoral actors on: Authority established under the Land Development > the need to prioritize and strengthen the prepa- and Control Act (1977) is the agency in charge of ration of recovery plans and strategies at all lev- the code’s enforcement. However, budgetary chal- els of the sector – from the MoAFBA to farmers lenges limit the enforcement of the code, and no and SMEs linked to agriculture, evidence is available on the use or enforcement of > the need to strengthen participation of the the building code in the agriculture sector. MoAFBA and the farming community in CDM, including recovery processes and for wider Opportunities identified for strengthening recovery communication of the processes’ outputs, capacity at the governance level include: > the need for a MoAFBA to play a stronger role in the coordination of CDM and recovery interven- » Integrate explicit national and sectoral consider- tions across the sector, ations for inclusive recovery readiness in the new > the critical role each of them plays on the recov- MTDS and in the NAP that are under preparation. ery process of the agriculture sector in the after- » Review the National CDM Policy, updating the math of disasters. National CDM Strategy (2014-2016) and finalize » Accelerate the implementation of CDM activities in and approve the National CDM legislation. Ensure the agriculture sector, and create financial mecha- these documents integrate explicit provisions on nism for recovery, including agriculture insurance gender and disability inclusive recovery, and apply SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results Overview and a contingency recovery allocation for the availability of training in general CDM issues (RCI of 25 MoAFBA. 50). In general, the level of DRM knowledge in the agri- culture sector is low, because of insufficient perma- nent staff at the MoAFBA trained in CDM and recovery 4.3 Findings for Competencies (Workforce RCI of 45), gender mainstreaming (Gender RCI of 25), and in inclusion of people with disabilities. The capacity and skills that exist in the country‘s agri- The ministry also faces a shortage of staff with the culture sector are basic and insufficient to design and required knowledge of DRM methods and tools and implement resilient and inclusive recovery projects. with the expertise to implement resilient recovery proj- This is indicated by the RCI of 43 obtained for the ects (Skills RCI of 33) and of private contractors with Competencies component (figure 10). It reflects that the knowledge, experience and equipment required institutional limitations affect the effective consider- for large recovery and BBB interventions (Private sec- ation and integration of DRM and recovery in relevant tor RCI of 44). Both training and recruitment in these sectoral processes. Major limitations were identified areas are urgently needed, along with mechanisms to at all three subcomponents, namely human resources ensure long-term DRM and recovery knowledge cre- (RCI of 28), workforce (RCI of 28) and in the level of ation and transfer within the sector. knowledge and skills (RCI of 48). The assessment of competencies indicates the The results at the level of sub-elements support these following: findings (figure 11). All sub elements assessed reflect a basic or incipient competence for recovery planning » The number of public servants working in the agri- and implementation in the agriculture sector, except culture sector is just sufficient to manage the vol- for the moderate proven capacity to undertake resil- ume of existing projects. However, the knowledge ient recovery projects – mainly driven by international and skills required to identify, plan, design, imple- organizations working in adaptation and development ment, and oversee recovery projects is missing projects in the country (RCI of 55) - and the moderate within the MoAFBA. FIGURE 10.. Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 2: Workforce, Capacity (knowledge and skills) and Human Resources, Profile suitability. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Component 2 Low or Competencies RCI: 43 absent 2.1. Workforce (0-24) 100 Basic or 80 Recovery Capacity Index incipient (25-49) 60 42 40 Moderate (50–74) 20 0 Advanced 28 (75–89) 48 2.3. Human 2.2. Capacity Full Resources (HR), (knowledge and (90-100) Profile suitability skills) Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 26 FIGURE 11 Recovery Capacity Index for the sub elements of Component 2: Workforce; Gender; Private sector; Skills; Training activities; Proven capacities; and Human Resources, profile suitability. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Key element 2.3 Human Key element 2.1 Workforce Resources (HR, Profile Low or suitability) 2.1.1. Workforce absent 100 (0–24) 2.3.1. Human 80 Basic or Resources, profile Recovery Capacity Index 2.1.2. Gender incipient 60 suitability (25–49) 45 40 Moderate 28 20 25 (50–74) 0 55 44 Advanced 2.2.3. Proven (75–89) 2.1.3. Private sector capacities 33 50 Full (90-100) 2.2.2. Training 2.2.1. Skills activities Key element 2.2 Capacity (knowledge and skills) » The number of government officers associated been implemented by or in collaboration with the to the MoAFBA with the necessary expertise and MoAFBA. An example of this is that actions for knowledge of DRM methods and tools, such as the recovery of agriculture in Barbuda following disaster risk assessments and the use of geo-ref- the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma were erenced information systems is limited. Although undertaken by external agencies such as the Inter- there are technical staff at the MoAFBA who under- American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture stand the basics of DRM and ensure that risk con- (IICA) but progress has not been reported to the siderations are integrated into sectoral projects, MoAFBA. Nonetheless, the MoAFBA is aware of only the Liaison Officer to NODS has been trained non-governmental efforts to enhance recovery and has experience in the elaboration of PDNAs. In readiness in the sector, including CARDI’s activities consequence, the ministry’s capacity to elaborate on the storage of seeds and planting materials to PDNAs and translate their results into actionable accelerate agricultural recovery following a disas- sectoral projects that include risk mitigation and ter and the elaboration of business continuity plans other resilience measures is low. by agriculture-dependent firms. » Until now, PDNAs has been developed under the » Provisions for the delivery of training on emergency leadership of the Ministry of Works and NODS, response and preparedness to public officers are with donor support. The role of the MoAFBA in the included in the National CDM Regulations of 2014. PDNA process has related mostly to the assess- NODS offers training on request to sectoral agen- ment of sectoral damages and losses. However, cies and district committees and, the Training the results of previous PDNAs have not been com- Division in collaboration with NODS, provides municated to the sector, nor have recovery projects annual disaster awareness workshops to govern- emerging from sectoral PDNA needs or priorities ment departments. However, the CDM-related SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results Overview training available provides general notions of DRM However, a working relationship exists between 27 topics but is insufficient to build the necessary the ministry and the Antigua and Barbuda capacity of the sector’s stakeholders to undertake Association of Persons with Disabilities, for disaster response and recovery activities. Further, specialized inputs and collaboration in exten- as the MoAFBA does not invest in recovery projects, sion projects for people with disabilities, which nor design or implement them, its demand for spe- are less common such as the establishment of cialized training is low, and has not been system- backyard gardens. atically included in the ministry’s agenda. Available > Communication skills for raising awareness work opportunities abroad, which attract qualified about hazards, impacts, and risks to the sector national individuals, and public recruitment proto- stakeholders as part of a continuous process of cols, such as terms of reference (ToRs), which do knowledge building for CDM action. not include knowledge on DRM, gender or disability > The low level of training and skills on project inclusion, further limit the likelihood of improving management cycle-related issues across the the competencies required for inclusive recovery sector is also a constraint to the design and in a sustained manner. At present, to fill technical implementation of resilient recovery projects. capacity limitations, the sector relies on the sup- port provided by other government agencies – for The need to build and strengthen competencies for example. the Ministry of Works and NODS – and resilient and inclusive recovery within the sector is rec- external technical assistance from CARDI, IICA, ognized. Opportunities to build the necessary knowl- and FAO. edge and skills include: » General and specialized knowledge and skills in » The restructuring process that is taking place at DRM and, particularly in recovery, are needed in the the MoAFBA, which includes the establishment of country’s agriculture sector. Specific areas where a planning unit. The process, still at an early stage, capacity building interventions are required: and the recent constitution of a project oversight > Damage assessment and need analysis. At committee will receive, review and provide guid- present, the count is only one government offi- ance to the implementation of the ministry’s proj- cer in the sector trained in this area. ects. This committee will offer advice on strategies > Build back better approaches and their applica- and approaches to ensure project continuity and tion in agriculture, including operational infor- report to the Office of the Permanent Secretary. mation and guidelines. Building the capacity of the project oversight > Geographic information systems (GIS), model- committee in CDM, recovery, gender and disabil- ling, and scenario planning. ity mainstreaming, as well as in project planning, > PDNA and recovery planning. monitoring and evaluation, represents a major > Recovery project formulation based on PDNA opportunity to ensure existing projects become results. more resilient to shocks and future projects sup- > Gender mainstreaming. No gender specialists port inclusive recovery. work on a permanent basis at the MoAFBA. » Assess the DRM and project management train- Training on gender mainstreaming for the min- ing needs of public servants, farmers and other istry’s staff is needed as gender is considered agriculture stakeholders and explore possibilities mainly as the focus of external projects that tar- for continuous and tailored training delivered by get women in the sector, including several IICA national academic and vocational institutions in projects with agroprocessor women in Antigua, collaboration with NODS. although other projects are designed to be » Develop key training materials and offerings on nondiscriminatory. gender and disability inclusion, offer them on a reg- > Disability inclusion. Staff at the Ministry of ular basis, or make them available online. Agriculture are not trained in disability inclusion. Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 28 » Establish credentials for gender and disability inclu- imports of improved crop varieties and developing sive skills and offer or mandate training of all public insurance and microinsurance programs suitable sector officials, and of all private sector contractors to the country’s agricultural context. and staff working on contract. » Create and tailor building standards that are spe- cific to the agriculture sector needs, including pro- 4.4 Findings for Resources and Tools visions on building materials. » Support the design and implementation of aware- The resources and tools available for resilient recov- ness raising campaigns on hazards, impacts, and ery in the country’s agriculture sector are assessed risks targeting agriculture sector stakeholders to as moderate, with an RCI of 54 (figure 12). Although strengthen their capacity to effectively manage recovery project planning and implementation are disaster risks. supported by moderate natural hazard and risk infor- » Encourage international partners to contribute to mation, PDNA, and project portfolio planning and closing major capacity gaps in countries with con- resilient recovery project design (RCI of 64, 66 and straint workforce, including Antigua and Barbuda 54 respectively), such capacity is not concentrated by providing technical experts to work hand-in-hand in the MoAFBA or sectoral stakeholders, but rather in with national and sectoral public institutions and by central ministries, such as the Ministry of Works and creating more frequent opportunities for training, regional organizations working in agriculture, which knowledge sharing and technology transfer, includ- use the data and implement recovery projects in the ing through the institutionalization of a capacity sector. building component within each support interven- tion. The private sector can also be encouraged to The capacity to access and the availability of recovery strengthen its DRM capacity, for example in BBB finance for the MoAFBA and sectoral stakeholders is approaches. The private sector can enable resil- incipient (RCI of 46). Also incipient is the capacity of ient and inclusive recovery through actions such as the MoAFBA and sectoral stakeholders to implement FIGURE 12 Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 3: Natural hazard data and risk information, PDNA and Project portfolio planning, Resilient recovery project design, Financing, and Project implementation. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Component 3 3.1. Natural Hazard Data Resources and Tools RCI: 54 and Risk Information Low or absent 100 (0–24) 80 Basic or Recovery Capacity Index 64 incipient 60 (25–49) 40 3.5. Project 3.2. PDNA and Project Moderate Implementation 20 66 Portfolio Planning (50–74) 46 0 Advanced (75–89) 46 Full 54 (90-100) 3.4. Financing 3.3. Resilient recovery Project Design SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results Overview recovery projects (RCI of 46). The analysis of RCI » Existing natural hazard data and risk information 29 values at the sub-element level support these results were developed with international assistance. Most (Figure 13) and highlight the weak integration of build- information rests in the Environmental Information ing codes at the level of project design in the sector Management and Advisory System (EIMAS 2015), (RCI of 38) and at the level of implementation (RCI envisioned to be a functional comprehensive envi- of 42) and the need for the development of building ronmental data repository. However, hazard and standards applicable to agriculture and other BBB risk maps are partly outdated and, for agricultural tools for the sector (RCI of 38). Basic project cycle purposes, generated or updated and primarily used management (PCM) tools available to the staff of the by CARDI for the provision of technical support to MoAFBA (RCI of 44), an incipient use of monitoring farmers on the reduction of soil erosion and salt- and evaluation approaches in projects (RCI of 44) and water intrusion and other risks. The capacity of the absence of an allocation for recovery in the annual the MoAFBA to develop and use this information, budget of the ministry (RCI of 38) are also important including the hazard and risk maps is limited. constraints to the effective implementation of resilient » The PDNA elaborated after Irma struck the coun- recovery projects. try included, as a priority, the improvement of the national disaster risk information framework and Detailed findings of the assessment include: the emergency communications network to ensure FIGURE 13 Recovery Capacity Index for the sub elements of the key elements of Component 3: Data collection and management, Use of risk information in the sector, PDNA mechanisms, Planning of recovery priorities, Gender and disability inclusion in PDNA, Availability of BBB tools, Use of risk information for recovery, Building codes and regulations in project design, Gender and disability inclusion in project design, Availability of sources of funding, Accessibility to recovery funds, Budget for recovery, Resources, Project management, Building code implementation resources and M&E at project level. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Key element 3.5 Key element 3.1 Natural Hazard Data and Risk Information Key element 3.2 Project implementation PDNA and Project Portfolio 3.1.1. Data collection and Planning management 3.5.4. M&E at project level 100 3.1.2. Use of risk information in the sector Low or 80 absent 3.5.3. Building codes 63 3.2.1. PDNA mechanisms (0–24) 66 60 44 66 Basic or 3.2.2. Planning of recovery Recovery Capacity Index 3.5.2. Project management 40 incipient 42 priorities (25–49) 56 20 63 3.2.3. Gender and disability Moderate 3.5.1. Resources 46 0 75 inclusion in PDNA (50–74) 38 38 50 3.3.1. Availabilities of BBB tools Advanced 3.4.3. Budget for recovery 38 (75–89) 46 63 3.4.2. Accessibility to recovery 3.3.2. Use of risk information 63 funds for recovery Full (90-100) 3.4.1. Availability of sources 3.3.3. Building codes and regulations of funding in project design 3.3.4. Gender and disability inclusion in project design Key element 3.4 Key element 3.3 Financing Resilient Recovery Project Design Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 30 communications services prior to, during and after better address and recover from future disasters. national disasters. To achieve this, the PDNA called It included public assistance – national insurance for “the improvement of Antigua and Barbuda –, private insurance, an emergency fund, project Meteorological Service (ABMS) capacities, with an contingent components, contingent lines of credit up-to-date hydro-meteorological infrastructure and such as the World Bank’s Catastrophe Deferred access to modern forecasting and services delivery Drawdown Option (CAT-DDO), in addition to the technologies, and strengthened early warning sys- existing Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurane tems including the “last-mile” communication with Facility (CCRIF-SPC) parametric insurance. the exposed and most vulnerable communities.” However, this recommendation has not yet mate- » The Department of Environment and NODS are rialized while the need remains. At the sectoral responsible for natural hazard and risk data col- level, recovery depends on projects implemented lection and management protocols and systems. by external agencies, reconstruction projects con- However, the agriculture sector lags in the elabo- ducted by the Ministry of Works and the resources ration or adoption of such protocols. It is expected of farmers and fisherfolks themselves, beyond that as part of the NAP implementation, routine some assistance programs, such as those con- data collection procedures for EIMAS to support sisting of in-kind transfers during the COVID-19 risk modelling – including climate change risk mod- pandemic, as the MoAFBA does not have a budget elling – will be established and that the outputs of line earmarked for recovery and, in a general sense, modelling efforts will be shared with national agen- does not implement recovery projects or programs. cies and stakeholders. Sectoral public stakeholders are aware that inter- » Multi-hazard maps – including geospatial informa- national funding sources for recovery interventions tion on hazardous events – are lacking and neces- are available when required. However, they have sary to inform national and sectoral actors about not yet identified these sources and it is unclear to the risks associated with their investments. them how to access these funds directly. » It is common practice in the agriculture sector to » The MoAFBA is in need of resources to access and collect gender-disaggregated data. However, focus update the software and hardware that will enable is less on the collection of data and information better project cycle management – for exam- related to people with disabilities. The MoAFBA has ple through the use of monitoring and evaluation a database of active farmers – crops and poultry tools – and a better integration of risk and BBB farmers – from whom production data are collected approaches into its operations. monthly. This database records farmers’ age and » Strengthened coordination and recording of CDM gender as key variables. The Fisheries Division also and recovery-related data by all actors in the sec- keeps similar detailed records of the fisherfolks. tor is needed to understand progress and to build » Building codes exist and their application in pub- capacity at all levels, as no single entity over- lic and private buildings needs to be enforced. sees the entire cycle of recovery project portfolio However, the agriculture sector requires the devel- management. opment of codes and standards – including for building materials – that are tailored to its needs, The assessment identified the following opportunities as well as of the development of finance programs to strengthen the resources and tools available for for actors that provide access actors with access recovery in the country’s agriculture sector: to the resources needed to meet the codes and standards requirements. » Use the opportunities presented by new develop- » The PDNA conducted after Hurricane Irma pri- ment projects, funded by international donors, to oritized the need to assess, explore and promote build through technical assistance, national and the establishment of risk financing or risk trans- sectoral capacity to generate, manage, and use fer mechanisms for Antigua and Barbuda to hazard and risk information. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results Overview » Embed elements of the socially inclusive DRM » Increase the engagement and visibility of the 31 approach based on CDEMA’s CDM framework – MoAFBA and the agriculture sector in general in hazards, risk assessments, and measures – in all PDNA, CDM and national development budgeting project management cycle protocols used in the processes, to strengthen its capacity to manage sector. risks, adapt to climate change and grow as a resil- » Include sectoral DRM allocations in the budget ient economic sector. construction and planning processes of the coun- try and donors. » Improve communication about and access to 4.5 Findings for the Inclusion of Gender recovery finance options for agriculture and build and Disability in Recovery Processes requisite capacity on access protocols and criteria at the MoAFBA to enable the Ministry to rapidly and In general, the capacity of government agencies to more effectively support recovery efforts by farm- integrate gender and disability considerations into ers, fisherfolk, and other sectoral stakeholders. the design and implementation of recovery projects is FIGURE 14 Recovery Capacity Indexes for a. Gender and b. Disability inclusion at the level of the components assessed: Governance, Competencies (operational capacity) and Skills, and Resources and Tools. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. a. Gender 1. Governance 100 80 60 40 43 20 Low or absent 0 (0-24) 42 Basic or 54 incipent Recovery Capacity Index 2. Competencies (25-49) 3. Resources and (operational capacity) Tools and Skills Moderate (50–74) b. Disability inclusion 1. Governance Advanced 100 (75–89) 80 Full 60 63 (90-100) 40 20 0 25 38 2. Competencies 3. Resources and (operational capacity) Tools and Skills Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 32 incipient. The needs of women, girls, men, boys, and making CDM decisions around policy and operations people with disabilities have been included directly – often late in the process and not well facilitated. and indirectly in an incipient manner in the DRM pol- Some report that this type of engagement has begun icy and legal framework, as shown by the RCI of 43 to strengthen during the response to the COVID-19 and 63, respectively (figure 14). However, the MoAFBA pandemic, although no evidence of this directly sup- lacks the expertise required on a permanent basis for ports the agriculture sector. mainstreaming gender and disability inclusion into their operations, including into strategic planning and Gender needs and disability inclusion are not consis- project implementation processes (RCI of 42 and 25 tently integrated in the design of agriculture projects. respectively). The level of resources and tools avail- Integration of gender- and disability -inclusive require- able for integrating gender considerations into recov- ments takes place mainly as a response to funding ery processes was assessed as moderate (RCI of 54) opportunities and donor requirements. while existing resources and tools for disability inclu- sion in recovery are only basic (RCI of 38). Recommendations Gender agencies, youth groups and the National A series of steps are needed to ensure that recovery Council of and for Persons with Disabilities are efforts are likely to be gender and disability inclusive. involved in DRM activities led and coordinated by NODS. However, this engagement is weak and is » Develop explicit operational guidance in policy and usually based on ad hoc awareness training oppor- legal frameworks to ensure gender and disability tunities, and on participation in committees that are inclusion are systematically considered. FIGURE 15 Recovery Capacity Index for Gender and Disability inclusion in recovery processes at the level of the key elements assessed: Policies and legal framework; Strategies and plans; Institutions and coordination; Workforce; Capacity (Knowledge and skills); Human resources, profile suitability; Natural hazard data and risk information; PDNA and project portfolio planning; Resilient recovery project design; Financing; and Project implementation. Capacity levels are indicated by colored dots. Component 3: Component 1: Resources and tools 1.1. Policies and Legal Governance Framework 100 Low or 3.5. Project absent implementation 1.2. Strategies and Plans 80 (0–24) 60 50 Basic or 1.3. Institutions and Recovery Capacity Index incipient 3.4. Financing 40 Coordination (25–49) 25 25 20 50 25 Moderate 0 (50–74) 44 25 3.3. Resilient recovery 2.1. Workforce project design 45 Advanced 25 25 (75–89) 75 3.2. PDNA and Project 2.2. Capacity (knowledge Full portfolio planning and skills) (90-100) 3.1. Natural-hazard data 2.3. Human Resources, and risk information Profile suitability Component 2: Competencies SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results Overview » Recruit dedicated staff with the requisite skills on agriculture sector in planning for recovery projects 33 gender and disability inclusion, and integrate these and BBB. This could include facilitating greater par- issues in HR protocols and processes to build and ticipation of the Disability Association in the plan- retain in-house capacity. At present, minimum ning and design of recovery projects as well as in knowledge of these issues is not included as requi- policy and strategic processes. site in public recruitment processes. » Support the inclusion of people with disabilities » Elaborate guidance for staff, and training in gender in agricultural recovery efforts through increasing and disability inclusion with a focus on CDM. access to employment opportunities and support » Continue collecting robust disaggregated gender for establishing SMEs. and disability data and storing it in managed and » Create a disability policy for the agriculture sector accessible databases. and an integrated disability-inclusion action plan. » Enable a more direct engagement of people with disabilities or their representatives with the Results Overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 05 34 Recommendations Photo: breeze393 | istock.com The following points summarize the recommenda- agriculture sector, particularly those promoting 35 tions of this assessment, which are detailed in Annex climate-resilient infrastructure systems, includ- 1. Recommendations are made with the objective ing water supply systems, to support the con- of building and strengthening the capacity of the tinuity and operability of crop production after country’s agriculture sector to prepare to implement major adverse events. resilient and inclusive recovery projects well before > Creating a technical assistance plan with a range disasters strike. The recommendations respond to of risk reduction interventions to help farm and the capacity needs for recovery identified in the SRCA, agriculture facility owners climate-proof and existing opportunities, and recommendations made protect key assets, including machinery and by the consulted stakeholders as well as by sectoral equipment, from extreme weather events. experts, and gender and disability inclusion special- > Assessing Antigua and Barbuda’s hydro-me- ists. These recommendations principally target central teorological infrastructure and elaborating an government ministries, the MoAFBA, NODS, CDEMA, investment plan for its update, acquisition of and donor agencies involved in DRM and resilience modern forecasting and climate services deliv- building processes in the country. ery technologies, and strengthening of early warning communication systems to ensure they reach the exposed and most vulnerable Policy and strategic recommendations: communities. Integrate climate-resilient and inclusive recovery con- b) Equipment, systems and financial resources: siderations into the national and sectoral policy frame- » Invest in key data collection efforts, including agri- work through the review and updating of the National cultural censuses and periodic household surveys CDM Policy and Strategy, the completion and approval to develop a baseline that enables rapid damage of the National CDM Legislation, the elaboration of a assessment in the event of hazard impacts and development policy and a CDM plan for the agriculture that supports the design and targeting of recovery sector, as well as of a new Medium Term Development operations. Strategy and the completion of Antigua and Barbuda’s » Strengthen the use, management and generation National Adaptation Plan. of risk and recovery-relevant data and information across the agriculture sector, particularly within MoAFBA. Ensure that hazard and risk maps cre- Physical investments: ated or updated by partner organizations are avail- able and easily accessible to all. a) Infrastructure » Ensure that risk information is communicated in » Reduce the vulnerability of the agriculture sector appropriate formats to end users – farmers and and of the overall national economy to climate fishers. change and weather extremes by: » Strengthen sectoral budgets for DRM and recovery > Creating a pipeline of targeted investments in by estimating and including a contingent annual both grey and green defense infrastructure on recovery allocation in the MoAFBA’s budget. coastal and riverine areas, to protect Antigua » Ensure legislation and procedures enable the rapid and Barbuda against impacts of climate change reallocation of annual budgets to support recov- (including SLR) and extreme weather events ery efforts in the aftermath of major disasters and and lower the risk and impact of disruptions chronic small events, which add burden to small- that may affect the country in general, and the holder farmers overtime. agriculture sector in particular. » Enhance resilience and recovery funding instru- > Developing an investment plan that prioritizes ments for farmers and small and medium-sized infrastructure projects of high relevance for the enterprises (SMEs) linked to agriculture value Recommendations SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 36 chains by creating new and enhancing access to sustaining DRM and inclusive recovery capacity existing financial mechanisms for resilience and for the sector’s development. This can be achieved recovery, including insurance. through well-designed awareness-raising cam- » Create a plan to finance software updating and paigns and events for public officers. maintenance at the MoAFBA to facilitate project » Build and sustain the required knowledge and skills management operations. for the implementation of resilient and inclusive recovery projects in the sector through the recruit- ment of specialized staff in areas specific to DRM, Capacity strengthening the institutionalization of training in DRM, gender and disability inclusion for public and private sec- » Raise awareness, at the strategic and opera- toral stakeholders, and the improvement of public tional levels, of the added value of acquiring and recruitment protocols, among other measures. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Recommendations 06 37 Conclusion Photo: © Byvalet | Dreamstime.com 38 The analyses conducted in this assessment deter- Competencies mined that the capacity of Antigua and Barbuda’s agriculture sector to plan, design and execute resilient Findings equally emphasized how critical it is: (i) to and inclusive recovery projects in a timely, efficient, enhance the use of natural hazard data and risk infor- and effective manner is basic or incipient, with a sec- mation across government institutions and other tor-level RCI of 47. The capacity to undertake inclusive actors in the agriculture sector; (ii) to review the recovery in the sector is enabled, to a certain extent, by national CDM policy and strategic framework to ensure the resources and tools available (RCI of 54). However, it explicitly provides provisions for recovery, gender it is also constrained by limitations in the governance and disability inclusion; (iii) to finalize and approve the and operational competencies required for recovery CDM legislation; (iv) to elaborate a national policy for (RCI of 42 and 43, respectively). agriculture and (v) to complete and operationalize a CDM plan for the agriculture sector. The country cur- rently lacks a legal framework for DRM implementa- Governance tion. Recovery considerations are missing in national and sectoral plans and strategies, particularly in the The findings underscored the need for concrete actions agriculture sector, which lacks a sectoral development to build and sustain national and sectoral knowledge policy. A new Medium-Term Development Strategy and skills to ensure the country and sector can sys- (MTDS) is being prepared and represents an opportu- tematically integrate resilient recovery considerations nity to integrate CDM and inclusive recovery consid- into their plans, programs, and projects in an effective erations at the national and sectoral levels, however, and coordinated manner. The agriculture sector in stakeholders call for better representation of the farm- Antigua and Barbuda lacks the necessary knowledge ing community in DRM policy and strategic processes, and skills to undertake effective DRM and recovery better communication, and more explicit provisions activities. While the number of public servants working for gender and disability inclusion. in the agriculture sector is sufficient to manage exist- ing projects, the sector is practically missing the exper- tise required to identify, plan, design, implement, and Resources and tools oversee recovery projects. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Barbuda Affairs (MoAFBA) has limited A third key takeaway evidenced by the findings is that capacity to develop PDNAs and translate their results it is necessary to grant a more prominent role to the into actionable sectoral projects that include risk mit- MoAFBA in the planning and coordination of CDM and igation and other resilience measures. Provisions recovery interventions in agriculture and to ensure, for delivering training on emergency response and through training and recruitment, that the MoAFBA preparedness to public officers are included in the builds and sustains the required knowledge and skills National CDM Regulations, but the available training to oversee risk-informed, inclusive, and resilient proj- is insufficient to build the necessary capacity of the ects. The capacity of the MoAFBA to develop and sector’s stakeholders to undertake disaster response use hazard and risk information is limited and com- and recovery activities. The MoAFBA needs to improve pounded by a lack of multi-hazard maps and geospa- its technical capacity to address gaps in areas such as tial information on hazardous events. In addition, there damage assessment and need analysis, build-back- is a need to collect and analyze data related to peo- better approaches, geographic information systems, ple with disabilities and to develop building codes and recovery project formulation, gender mainstreaming, standards tailored to the agriculture sector’s needs. disability inclusion, and communication skills. The The PDNA conducted after Hurricane Irma identified sector must additionally prioritize capacity building several priorities, including (i) the improvement of interventions to ensure that it can effectively manage the national disaster risk information framework and disasters and mitigate risks to the agriculture sector. the emergency communications network, and (ii) the SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Conclusion establishment of risk financing or risk transfer mech- access them directly to address the country’s natural 39 anisms. However, these recommendations have yet hazard and risk management challenges effectively. to be fully implemented, and recovery efforts still rely heavily on external agencies and the resources of This assessment calls for investments in resilient farmers and fisherfolks themselves. The MoAFBA also infrastructure to reduce disaster risks in agriculture in requires resources to update its project cycle man- the face of increasingly frequent extreme events and agement and integrate risk and BBB approaches into the impacts of climate change, including rising sea its operations. Overall, strengthened coordination and levels. It is expected that the results and recommen- data recording by all actors are clearly required in the dations made in this report will be taken into consid- larger agriculture sector to better understand progress eration and implemented by national and international and build capacity. International assistance and fund- agencies supporting Antigua and Barbuda’s efforts to ing sources are available, but it is crucial to identify and build resilience. Conclusion SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR References 40 Adams-Matthew, R. (2020). Baseline Report of the Destin, Dale C. 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Recommendations Actions Strengthen the enabling » Facilitate the integration of climate resilience and gender- and disability-inclusive national and sectoral recovery considerations into the national and sectoral policy framework. Specifically: policy and regulatory » Complete and approve the draft National CDM Legislation. environment for recovery » Review the National CDM Policy (2014-2016) and the National CDM Strategy (2014- 2016) ensuring these documents integrate explicit provisions for recovery planning and implementation as well as for gender and disability inclusion, while building on the lessons learned during and in the aftermath of the Irma Hurricane and COVID-19 pandemic. The review and elaboration of these documents should be based on highly participatory processes and aligned with other ongoing development and climate change processes, including the NAP and the new MTDS. » Develop a national policy and strategy for the agriculture sector, inclusive of DRM, recovery, gender and disability inclusion provisions and prioritized actions. » Complete and implement the DRM plan for the agriculture sector. » Establish building standards (including for materials) tailored to the needs of the agriculture sector. Annex 1 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 44 COMPETENCIES: Recommendations and potential actions to build the required competencies (knowledge and skills) required for resilient and inclusive recovery. Recommendations Actions Raise awareness, at the » Increase the participation of the MoAFBA officers in the annual disaster awareness strategic and operational workshops that the Training Division, in collaboration with NODS, deliver yearly to levels, of the added government departments. value of acquiring and » Utilize the training-on demand opportunities provided by NODS for requesting sustaining DRM and specialized training on DRM and recovery for the MoAFBA, particularly in topics related recovery capacity for the to DRM project planning, coordination and management, gender and disability inclusion sector’s development in DRM and recovery; and on DRM communication and awareness raising. » Develop awareness-raising campaigns that are gender- and disability-informed, including events and materials to highlight the risks associated with climate change for farmers and other agriculture stakeholders and provide recommendations for impact reduction. To ensure inclusion, the campaigns should be developed by the MoAFBA in collaboration with partner agencies (including CARDI) and in consultation or partnership with people with disabilities and facilitated to support their active participation. » Organize events for public officers on the importance of gender- and disability inclusive recovery as a mechanism to strengthen resilient development efforts, placing specific focus on the need to integrate recovery considerations in policies, strategies, plans, programs, and projects to reduce losses and damages from disaster events. Actively involve people with disabilities or their representatives in these events. Build and sustain the » Institutionalize and implement training of sectoral staff in DRM, disaster cycle required knowledge management and recovery and gender analysis and integration, to ensure requisite and skills for the knowledge and skills are developed and sustained. implementation of » Recruit skilled staff specialized in areas specific to DRM, specifically, disaster cycle resilient and inclusive management and recovery and gender analysis and integration, to cover urgent gaps. recovery projects in the » Include in public recruitment protocols specific requirements to ensure new staff can sector systematically and sustainably cover the limitations in knowledge and skills that affect the planning and execution of recovery projects by the MoAFBA. These should include basic experience on the use of DRM tools and methodologies and gender and disability analysis. » Create alliances with donor agencies and programs, such as CRF, to cover urgent capacity gaps through direct technical assistance to the MoAFBA and NODS, as well as to fund training programs for sectoral staff in the areas required and to support the institutionalization of DRM capacity building in the public sector. Donor funding could largely contribute to strengthening the capacity of the MoAFBA to effectively facilitate the building of DRM capacity across the sector’s stakeholders. » Establish a formal and regular capacity building training program on disability inclusion, including information on opportunities for people with disabilities in the various sectors, with the participation of agriculture stakeholders. » Train MoAFBA staff in requisite tasks for the design and implementation and monitoring of resilient recovery projects. This includes training in: > PDNA, data collection, and design of recovery projects based on PDNA recommendations. > GIS and remote sensing. > Hazard mapping. > Hazard and risk data and information use > Disaster prevention, preparedness, and response. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 1 45 Recommendations Actions Build and sustain the > BBB approaches, building codes, and other resilience norms. required knowledge > Disability inclusion. and skills for the > Gender analysis and integration. implementation of > Project cycle management (including M&E). resilient and inclusive > DRM and recovery communication and awareness raising skills. recovery projects in the » Articulate existing capacity building opportunities with sectoral needs by creating or sector (cont.) tailoring academic and vocational programs and other training opportunities to the sector. This may include: > Creating and tailoring resilient infrastructure and BBB trainings for local contractors working in agriculture and fisheries. RESOURCES AND TOOLS: Recommendations and potential actions to ensure the sector has the resources and tools required to undertake resilient and inclusive recovery projects. Recommendations Actions Strengthen the » Invest in key data collection efforts, including agricultural censuses and periodic generation, management household surveys to develop a baseline that enables rapid damage assessment in the and use of risk and event of hazard impacts and supports the design and targeting of recovery operations. recovery-relevant data » Make the use of updated natural hazard and risk information a requirement for the approval of projects in agriculture. » Ensure hazard and risk maps created or updated by partner organizations are available and easily accessible to all. » Ensure that risk information is communicated in appropriate formats to end users – farmers and fishers. » Assess the country’s hydro-meteorological infrastructure and elaborate an investment plan for its update, acquisition of modern forecasting and climate services delivery technologies, and strengthening of early warning communication systems to ensure they reach the exposed and most vulnerable communities. Invest in protecting » Develop an investment plan that prioritizes infrastructure projects of high relevance infrastructure from for the agriculture sector, particularly those promoting climate-resilient infrastructure shocks systems, including water supply systems, to support the continuity and operability of crop production after major adverse events. » Create a technical assistance plan with a range of risk reduction interventions to help farm and agriculture facility owners climate proof and protecting key assets, including machinery and equipment, from extreme weather events. » Create a pipeline of targeted investments in both gray and green defense infrastructure on coastal and riverine areas, to protect Antigua and Barbuda against impacts of climate change – including SLR – and extreme weather events and lower the risk and impact of disruptions that may affect the country in general, and the agriculture sector in particular. Ensure the necessary » Create and finance a plan for software updating and maintenance at the MoAFBA. equipment and tools are available for recovery project management Annex 1 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 46 Recommendations Actions Strengthen sectoral » Evaluate disaster impacts on the agriculture sector in the past years, estimate the budgets for DRM and required annual recovery budget and include in the MoAFBA’s budget an annual recovery contingent recovery allocation and an allocation to support and incentivize disaster prevention measures. » Ensure legislation and procedures enable the rapid reallocation of annual budgets to support recovery efforts in the aftermath of both, major disasters and chronic small events which add burden to smallholder farmers overtime. Enhance resilience » Create new and enhance access to existing financial mechanisms for resilience and and recovery funding recovery, including insurance and microinsurance to cover farmers, fishers and other instruments for farmers actors associated to agriculture, including those operating in the informal sector. and SMEs in agriculture » Create a database of international recovery funding opportunities for the agriculture sector. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 1 Annex 2 Annex 2. Coastal inundation scenario maps for Antigua and Barbuda a. Areas affected by sea level rise by 2100 under a high climate change scenario (RCP 8.5) SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 47 b. Coastal flooding scenarios for a 100-year return period and for a high-level climate change scenario (RCP 8.5) by 48 2100 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 2 Annex 3. 49 Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment Questionnaire COMPONENT 1: GOVERNANCE Key elements Sub elements Questions 1.1 Policies and 1.1.1 Policies 1 Is there a National Disaster Risk Management (DRM) policy? Legal Framework 2 Are institutional mandates clearly defined in the existing DRM policy? 3 Does the main sectoral development policy integrate recovery considerations when addressing DRM and CCA? 4 Is there an effective process to update recovery considerations into national/sectoral policies? 1.1.2 Legal 5 Is there a national disaster risk management (DRM) legal framework? framework 6 Is there an effective institutionalized process to deliver timely updated legal frameworks? 7 Are institutional mandates clearly defined in the existing DRM legal framework? 8 Are recovery considerations integrated in the main sectoral laws and regulations that address DRM and CCA? 1.1.3 9 Do the national DRM policies and legal framework include preparedness Foundations (risk management ex ante) and Recovery (disaster management ex for recovery post) considerations? 10 Does the government have a clear vision for recovery? (for example, national/centralized; sectoral/decentralized, focused on a specific sector, focused on building back better)? 11 Does any policy, law, regulation, program or project at the national or sectoral level addresses the possibility of dealing with the impacts of more than one hazard at a time (e.g., COVID-19 and hurricane season) 1.1.4 12 Is climate resilience considered in the National disaster risk Mainstreaming management policies and legal framework? DRM&CCA 13 Does the sector participate in the elaboration of DRM or recovery policies and legal framework? 14 Do all, the private sector, academia, NGOs, local communities, and parastatal organizations, participate in the elaboration of DRM policies or legal frameworks? Annex 3 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 50 COMPONENT 1: GOVERNANCE Key elements Sub elements Questions 1.1 Policies and 1.1.4 15 Do the DRM policies and legal frameworks require sectoral ministries to Legal Framework Mainstreaming formulate and implement sectoral resilient recovery plans? DRM&CCA (cont.) 16 Have DRM protocols been adapted to integrate pandemic-related (e.g., COVID-19) considerations in recovery operations? 1.1.5 Gender 17 Do the recovery policies take into account gender (men and women, and and disability boys and girls) capacities and their different recovery needs? inclusion 18 Do the recovery laws and regulations take into account gender (men and women, and boys and girls) capacities and their different recovery needs? 19 Do the recovery laws and regulations take into account the needs of persons with disabilities? 20 Are there laws mandating that recovery efforts benefit men and women, and boys and girls equitably? 1.1.6 Building 21 Do most of the sector’s constructions conform with building codes codes and regulations? regulations 22 Does the government have a review and evaluation process for its building codes regulations which includes climate change considerations? 23 Are mechanisms for regulating compliance with building codes in place? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve the integration of recovery factors into sectoral policies and legal frameworks. SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 3 51 COMPONENT 1: GOVERNANCE Key elements Sub elements Questions 1.2 Strategies and 1.2.1 24 Does the sector have a recovery strategy? Plans Strategies and plans 25 Has the sector developed recovery plans? 26 Are the sectoral recovery strategies and plans aligned with national development objectives? 27 Is there an effective institutionalized process to deliver timely updated recovery strategies and/or plans at the sector level? 28 Are there financing mechanisms for recovery in place (e.g., recovery funds)? 1.2.2 Building 29 Do the recovery strategies and plans include provisions for integrating back better measures that build resilience? (BBB) 1.2.3 Gender 30 Are the outputs of the recovery strategies and plans affordable and and disability inclusive for the sector beneficiaries? inclusion 31 Do the recovery plans take into account gender (men and women, and boys and girls) capacities and gender-differentiated recovery needs? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve issues related to recovery strategies and plans? Annex 3 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 52 COMPONENT 1: GOVERNANCE Key elements Sub elements Questions 1.3 Institutions 1.3.1 32 Is the development of recovery plans at the sector level led by one or and Coordination Institutions more institutions with authority and autonomy? 33 Are the roles and responsibilities to implement the recovery plans clearly defined within the sector? 1.3.2 34 Is there a coordination mechanism (formal or informal) between sectors Coordination to implement the national recovery plan? 35 Does the sector coordinate recovery activities with the National Disaster Management Office? 36 Are concrete activities being coordinated between the sector and the National Disaster Management agency? 37 Is there any coordination between the sector and CDEMA during the recovery process? 1.3.3 Building 38 Are there, within the legal framework of the country, stakeholders who codes and are responsible, accountable, and liable for assuring compliance with regulations building-related legislation? 39 Is there a sufficient budget approved for enforcing building codes? 1.3.4 Gender 40 Are there mechanisms in place for the coordination of recovery between and disability the DRM agencies, gender agencies and women’s networks? inclusion Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve institutional coordination issues? COMPONENT 2: COMPETENCIES Key elements Sub elements Questions 2.1 Workforce 2.1.1 Workforce 41 Are there sufficient technical persons working in the sector? 42 Are there sufficient DRM specialists for the needs of the sector? 43 Are all projects being implemented in the sector overseen by at least one DRM specialist? 44 Is there sufficient staff to implement the sector’s current portfolio? 45 Do technical teams have the necessary working conditions to fulfil their tasks (e.g., connectivity, equipment, software)? SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 3 53 COMPONENT 2: COMPETENCIES Key elements Sub elements Questions 2.1 Workforce (cont.) 2.1.2 Gender 46 Is there a sufficient number of gender specialists to fill the needs of the sector? 2.1.3 Private 47 Does the sector have an adequate number of qualified sector implementing contractors based in the country? 48 Are international contractors in charge of implementing only a minimum proportion of the recovery projects in the sector each year? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve institutions and coordination issues? 2.2 Capacity 2.2.1 Skills 49 Are there sufficient national professionals to fill all the sector’s (knowledge and demands? skills) 50 Are there sufficient professionals in the sector with expertise to implement resilient recovery projects? 51 Are there sufficient national experts in the sector with knowledge of DRM methods and tools such as integrating hazard risks, geo-referenced information management systems (GIS, remote sensing)? 2.2.2 Training 52 Are there frequent opportunities to enhance the technical skills that activities ensure resilient reconstruction of infrastructure/buildings? 53 Do all genders have the same opportunities for DRM training? 54 Are technical persons trained on gender responsiveness and disability inclusion? 55 Is there a mentoring and advising program/process for building back better? 56 Are there sufficient people with the technical capacity to implement PCM activities, with a climate resilience focus, in the sector? NOTE: PCM includes, at least the following activities: management of sector portfolio; execution of PFM procedures; project management; M&E; mainstreaming climate and disaster resilience into projects; coordinating recovery activities with other relevant sectors; performing quality control projects and inspections of building codes compliance during and after design and construction of buildings and infrastructure. Annex 3 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 54 COMPONENT 2: COMPETENCIES Key elements Sub elements Questions 2.2 Capacity 2.2.3 Proven 57 Do technical persons in the sector have the capacity to translate (knowledge and capacity PDNA results into actionable projects? skills) (cont.) 58 Do technical persons in the sector understand the basics of DRM and are able to use hazard maps? 59 Can technical persons in the sector produce recovery plans that are aligned with the existing legislation, policies, and strategies? 60 Do the technical persons have the knowledge and necessary training to formulate quality ToRs for projects implementation? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve capacity (skills, training opportunities)? 2.3 Human 2.3.1 Human 61 Is there an HR recruitment plan that includes recovery activities? Resources (HR), resources (HR), Profile Suitability profile suitability 62 Does the sectoral hiring process follow the recruitment plan? 63 Are there ToRs for recovery-related positions? 64 Is there an employee induction process? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve human resources, profile suitability? COMPONENT 3: RESOURCES AND TOOLS Key elements Sub elements Questions 3.1 Natural hazard 3.1.1 Data 65 Are there mechanisms in place for the collection and management Data and Risk collection and of natural hazard data and risk information? Information management 66 Is there a national and sectoral online repository for risk data and information? 67 Is the existing risk data and information accessible to technical people in the sector? 3.1.2 Use of risk 68 Does the sector use multihazard risk maps?  information 69 Are hazard maps regularly updated? 70 Does the sector share multihazard risk maps? 71 Is a participatory approach used in the development and preparation of hazard maps? SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 3 55 COMPONENT 3: RESOURCES AND TOOLS Key elements Sub elements Questions 3.2 PDNA and 3.2.1 PDNA 72 Is there a PDNA including specific methodologies and plans for Project Portfolio mechanisms recovery in the sector? Planning 73 Is there an efficient and effective PDNA coordination mechanism? 74 Are there focal points with clear roles and responsibilities assigned within the sector to carry out a PDNA? 75 Have “lessons learned” from postdisaster assessments and DANAs been integrated into PDNA planning or used to adjust the methodology after previous disasters? 3.2.2 Planning 76 Have the results of the PDNA been used for recovery purposes and of recovery development across institutions and sectors? priorities 77 Does the government have criteria to define the priority sectors for recovery support? 78 Has the government used the results of PDNA to prioritize recovery projects? 3.2.3 Gender 79 Does the PDNA methodology require the collection of gender, age, and disability and disability disaggregated data? inclusion Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve PDNA and Project portfolio planning? 3.3 Resilient 3.3.1 Availability 80 Does the sector have the necessary tools (e.g., best practice, Recovery Project of BBB tools software, check lists, cost benefit analysis for resilience measures Design available to ensure project designs incorporate the Build Back Better approach? 3.3.2 Use of risk 81 Do the sectors use risk information to design resilient recovery information projects? 82 Is risk information available and accessible, at the required resolution and geographic coverage for sectoral project planning and implementation? 3.3.3 Building 83 Are building codes and land use planning guidelines integrated into codes and project design? regulations 3.3.4 Gender 84 Do project designs take into account gender-based needs? and disability inclusion 85 Do project designs take into account the basic needs for the conditions of persons with disabilities? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve Resilient design of project? Annex 3 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR 56 COMPONENT 3: RESOURCES AND TOOLS Key elements Sub elements Questions 3.4 Financing 3.4.1 Availability 86 Are there identified and accessible funding sources for recovery of funding interventions in the sector (e.g., National MDB, bilateral, others)? sources 87 Are the mechanisms for accessing funding for recovery actions clear and widely known to people working in the sector? 88 Has the government used international funding for recovery in the past? 3.4.2 Access to 89 Is it easy to access to recovery funding? recovery funding 90 Do the eligibility criteria for recovery funding reflect the PDNA results for the most affected sectors? 91 Is the disbursement of international funding for recovery rapid? 92 Is the recovery funding process fast (from application by the government to disbursement)? 3.4.3 Budget for 93 Does the sector’s budget have a line item earmarked for recovery? recovery 94 Does the sector have a sufficient actual or estimated annual budget for recovery? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve access to financial mechanisms for recovery? 3.5 Project 3.5.1 Resources 95 Does the sector have an inventory of qualified implementing Implementation contractors relevant for the sector’s operations? 96 Is there sufficient material for construction available to implement recovery projects? 97 Does the sector or the government have the necessary equipment to implement large recovery projects? 3.5.2 Project 98 Does the sector (or reconstruction projects) have access to and use management project management tools? 99 In general, does the expenditures of project activities in the sector follow the original planning? 3.5.3 Building 100 Do the construction materials used in recovery projects meet codes accreditation standards (e.g., strength, testing, quality)? 101 Does the sector have the resources and tools to comply with building codes? 102 Does the regulatory body have the resources and tools to enforce compliance with building codes? SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 3 57 COMPONENT 3: RESOURCES AND TOOLS Key elements Sub elements Questions 3.5 Project 3.5.4 M&E at 103 Does the sector have in place and actively use a monitoring and Implementation project level evaluation (M&E) system for projects? (cont.) 104 Have the most common M&E recommendations been used to improve project planning and implementation across the sector? Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve project implementation? Annex 3 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR ANTIGUA & BARBUDA’S AGRICULTURE SECTOR