Sectoral Recovery
Capacity Assessment
Report for Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines’
Agriculture Sector
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Cover: Mesopotamia Valley, a major agricultural zone in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. © Orietta Gaspari | istock.com
Cover design & layout: ULTRAdesigns
Sectoral Recovery Capacity
Assessment Report for Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines’
Agriculture Sector
Table of Contents
ii
Acknowledgements............................................................................................................................................ v
Executive Summary ...........................................................................................................................................vi
Acronyms .......................................................................................................................................................... x
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 Recovery Capacity Assessment for the agriculture sector and the
forestry and fisheries subsectors in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines........................................................ 4
1.4 Assessment methodology ..................................................................................................................................... 4
02 The agriculture sector in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines........................................................................ 7
2.1 Disasters and their impact on agriculture .......................................................................................................... 8
2.2 Climate change impacts on agriculture............................................................................................................... 9
2.3 Gender, agriculture, climate change and disasters .........................................................................................10
2.4 Disability, agriculture, climate change and disasters ......................................................................................12
03 The Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment implementation process in Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines.................................................................................................................................... 13
04 Results overview ....................................................................................................................................... 15
4.1 General findings......................................................................................................................................................16
4.2 Findings for Governance ......................................................................................................................................17
4.3 Findings for Competencies...................................................................................................................................20
4.4 Findings for Resources and Tools.......................................................................................................................23
4.5 Findings for the inclusion of gender and disability in recovery processes.................................................. 27
05 Recommendations..................................................................................................................................... 30
06 Conclusion................................................................................................................................................. 33
References ....................................................................................................................................................... 36
Annex 1. Specific recommendations to strengthen the capacity of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’
agriculture, forestry and fisheries for resilient and inclusive recovery............................................................. 38
Annex 2. Coastal inundation scenario maps for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines......................................... 42
Annex 3. Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment Questionnaire................................................................... 44
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Figures iii
Figure 1. Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment results overview. .............................................................................ix
Figure 2. Disaster Risk Management cycle. ......................................................................................................................... 3
Figure 3. The SRCA framework structure. ............................................................................................................................ 5
Figure 4. Inland flooding for a 100-year return period in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines .................................... 11
Figure 5. Diagrammatic representation of the assessment process.............................................................................14
Figure 6. Recovery Capacity Index for the components assessed in the sector: Governance, Competencies
(operational capacity) and skills, and Resources and tools. ............................................................................................16
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. ................................ 17
Figure 8. Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 1: Policies and Legal Framework,
Strategies and Plans, and Institutions and Coordination. ................................................................................................18
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. .............................................................................................................19
Figure 10. Recovery Capacity Index for the key elements of Component 2: Workforce, Capacity (knowledge and
skills) and Human Resources, Profile suitability. ...............................................................................................................21
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.............................................. 22
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. ......................................................................................................................................................................... 24
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........................................ 25
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...................... 28
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. ........................................................................................................................................................................29
Table of Contents SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
iv 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
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Table of Contents
Acknowledgements v
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-execut-
Mendez (Senior Disaster Risk Management Special- ed trust fund managed by the Global Facility for Disas-
ist, Consultant) and Francesco Varotto (Disaster Risk ter 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 SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Executive Summary
vi
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is highly exposed to eries and forestry sub sectors in terms of enabling poli-
the impacts of natural hazards, including hurricanes, cies and legal frameworks, institutional arrangements,
tsunamis, landslides and volcanic eruptions and is and available resources and tools. The assessment al-
currently recovering from the impacts of the COVID-19 lowed the identification of gaps, bottlenecks, deficits,
pandemic and the La Soufrière volcano eruption in and other factors limiting the planning, design, imple-
2021. With more frequent and intense extreme weath- mentation, and monitoring and evaluation of resilient
er events expected due to climate change in the com- and inclusive recovery projects, as well as of capacity
ing decades, there is an urgent need to prepare for building interventions, investments, and opportunities
timely, effective, and efficient disaster recovery, while to solve pressing issues. The report includes practical
building resilience at all levels and sectors of govern- recommendations, including proposed interventions
ment and society. This involves strengthening the ca- to facilitate the prioritization and decision-making for
pacity of key national sectors to develop and execute investments by national and international agencies
climate resilient recovery project portfolios that are supporting recovery and other disaster risk manage-
gender-responsive and disability-inclusive. ment (DRM) and development efforts in Saint Vincent
and the Grenadines (SVG). Figure 1 presents the re-
This report presents the results of the Sectoral Recovery sults of the SRCA for each of the assessed issues.
Capacity Assessment (SRCA) undertaken in Saint Vin-
cent and the Grenadines to assess the capacity of the At a high and strategic level, the assessment deter-
country’s agriculture sector, inclusive of the fisheries and mined that the capacity of the agriculture, fisheries
forestry subsectors, to plan, design, implement, monitor, and forestry sub sectors in SVG to plan, design and
and evaluate resilient and inclusive recovery projects. execute inclusive recovery projects in a timely, effi-
These sector and subsectors were selected as the pri- cient, and effective manner is moderate. However, key
ority for the SRCA by the Government of Saint Vincent results of a more detailed analysis indicate that the na-
and the Grenadines due to their economic importance, tional DRM policy and legal framework, and some sec-
for socially and economically vulnerable populations and toral and sub-sectoral opportunities enable, to a cer-
for their high exposure to natural hazard impacts. The tain extent, the implementation of recovery projects in
assessment followed a consultative process facilitated the sub-sectors. But also that most recovery initiatives
by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Forestry and Ru- undertaken in the aftermath of the volcanic eruption
ral Development (MAFFRD) and the National Emergency have been based on the recommendations and proj-
Management Organisation (NEMO). It was supported by ects of this event’s Post Disaster Needs Assessment,
the Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility (CRF), hosted which has become the main development strategy for
by the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recov- the MAFFRD and guided and executed by central min-
ery (GFDRR) at the World Bank Group, and the Caribbean istries and international organizations. This approach
Disaster Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA). has unfortunately not contributed to building the re-
quired capacity for inclusive recovery in the sub-sec-
The SRCA assessed in detail the existing capacity for tors assessed, where the level of knowledge and skills
resilient recovery in the agriculture sector and the fish- is insufficient for planning and implementing rapid and
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
effective recovery interventions. Creating, strength- » Develop an investment plan that prioritizes infra- vii
ening and sustaining resilient and inclusive recovery structure projects of high relevance for the agricul-
capacity within the MAFFRD is needed. This includes ture sector, particularly those promoting climate-re-
the capacity to mainstream gender and disability con- silient systems, including water supply, to support
siderations, systematically use hazard and risk data the continuity and operability of crop production
and information into sectoral operations and conduct after major adverse events.
entire project cycle management activities. Improving » Request donor support to fully develop a consoli-
the coordination and communication among the MAF- dated national data (including risk data) platform
FRD sub-sectors also has great potential to increase and information knowledge management system
the efficiency of capacity building interventions and as well as mechanisms to ensure access to the
to ensure the needs of all sub-sectors are considered system from rural or remote areas.
when prioritizing DRM and recovery actions. » Assess Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ hy-
dro-meteorological infrastructure and elaborate an
The SRCA identified the following as crucial for build- investment plan for its modernization, acquisition
ing recovery capacity in Saint Vincent and the Grena- of modern forecasting and climate services deliv-
dines’ agriculture, fisheries and forestry: ery technologies, and strengthening of early warn-
ing communication systems to ensure they reach
» Ensure resilient and inclusive recovery consider- the exposed and most vulnerable communities.
ations are integrated into ongoing and upcoming » Create and finance a plan for software and hard-
policy, strategic, and planning processes at the ware updating and maintenance at the MAFFRD.
national, sectoral and sub-sectoral levels. Particu- » Establish clear mechanisms for direct access to
larly important are: the completion of the National the existing Contingency Fund for the rapid recov-
Disaster Management Policy, Strategy and Action ery of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry subsec-
Plan and the Comprehensive Disaster Manage- tors when affected by disasters.
ment Country Work Program (2022-2026); the » Include in the MAFFRD’s budget an annual contin-
review of the National DRM legislation (including gent recovery allocation and an allocation to sup-
the National Emergency Act, 2006) and subsidiary port and incentivize disaster prevention measures.
legislations; the updating of building codes, guide- » Create new and enhance access to existing fi-
lines and related enforcement regulations; the fi- nancial mechanisms for resilience and recovery,
nalization of the working draft of Saint Vincent and including insurance and microinsurance to cover
the Grenadines’ Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries farmers, fishers and other actors associated to ag-
Concise Multi-hazard Disaster Management Plan; riculture, including those operating in the informal
and the development of a Strategic Plan for Agricul- sector.
ture, Fisheries and Forestry, to guide development » Develop a plan to finance software updating and
and recovery activities in the coming years, beyond maintenance at the MAFFRD to facilitate project
the PDNA. The elaboration and review of these doc- management operations.
uments should ensure the integration of gender » Raise awareness, at the strategic and operational
and disability considerations, as well as operative levels, of the added value of acquiring and sustain-
aspects of recovery beyond the earliest recovery ing DRM and inclusive recovery capacity for the
phase. It is also critical that these processes are sector and subsector’s development. This can be
highly participatory, widely communicated and in- achieved through well-designed awareness-raising
corporate lessons learned from the volcano erup- campaigns and events for public officers.
tion recovery and the COVID-19 pandemic and set » Build and sustain the required knowledge and skills
concrete prioritized actions for recovery and resil- for the implementation of resilient and inclusive
ience building. recovery projects in the MAFFRD and its subsec-
tors through the recruitment of specialized staff in
Executive Summary SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
viii
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 75)
3.5.4. M&E at project level (RCI of 44)
1.1.2. Legal Framework (RCI of 66)
3.5.3. Building codes and regulations in project implementation (RCI of 50) 100 1.1.3. Foundations for recovery (RCI of 50)
3.5.2. Project management (RCI of 69) 1.1.4. Mainstreaming Disaster Risk Management and
3.5.1. Resources (RCI of 67) 80 Climate Change Adaptation (RCI of 60)
75
1.1.5. Gender and disability inclusion (RCI of 38)
3.4.3. Budget for recovery (RCI of 44) 66
Low or
69 1.1.6. Building codes and regulation (RCI of 46)
60 absent
3.4.2. Access to recovery funding (RCI of 50) 67 50 60 1.2.1. Strategies and Plans (RCI of 50)
44 (0–24)
50
3.4.1. Availability of funding sources 1.2.2. Build-Back-Better in recovery strategies and plans
40
for recovery (RCI of 58) (RCI of 38) Basic or
44 46
50 38 incipient
50 1.2.3. Gender and disability inclusion in
3.3.4. Gender and disability inclusion 58 20 (25–49)
in project design (RCI of 31) strategies and plans (RCI of 31)
38
31 31 1.3.1. Institutional responsibility for recovery
3.3.3. Building codes and regulations 50 44
in project design (RCI of 50) 0 (RCI of 44) Moderate
50 19 54 (50–74)
1.3.2. Disaster risk management and
3.3.2. Use of risk information (RCI of 50) 50 38 recovery coordination (RCI of 54)
50
3.3.1. Availabilities of BBB tools (RCI of 50) 38
34 55 1.3.3. Building codes and regulations (compliance) Advanced
46 (RCI of 19)
50 38 38 (75–89)
3.2.3. Gender and disability inclusion in PDNAs 1.3.4. Gender and disability inclusion (coordination)
75
(RCI of 50) 55 (RCI of 38)
3.2.2. Planning of recovery priorities (RCI of 75) 69
Recovery Capacity Index (Capacity Level)
88 2.1.1. Sector's workforce (RCI of 55) Full
3.2.1. PDNA mechanisms(RCI of 88) (90-100)
2.1.2. Gender specialists (RCI of 38)
3.1.2. Use of risk information (RCI of 50) 2.1.3. Private sector (contractors for recovery) (RCI of 69)
3.1.1. Risk data collection and management (RCI of 46)
2.2.1. Skills (RCI of 38)
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
2.3.1. Human Resources,
profile suitability (RCI of 34) 2.2.2. Training activities (RCI of 38) Component 2: Competencies
2.2.3. Proven capacities (RCI of 55)
Executive Summary
areas specific to DRM and project management; It is expected that the findings of this report and its ix
the institutionalization of training in DRM, disaster recommendations will be taken into consideration and
cycle management, recovery and gender analysis integrated in the design and implementation of devel-
and integration; establishing collaboration with ac- opment, DRM and recovery policy, strategic and plan-
ademic institutions for the delivery of programs on ning documents of national, sectoral and sub sectoral
project design and management, gender and DRM, relevance.
tailored to the needs of the subsectors; and the im-
provement of public recruitment protocols, among
other measures.
Executive Summary SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Acronyms
x
BBB Build Back Better
CAP Conservancy Adaptation Project
CDEMA Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency
CDM Comprehensive Disaster Management
CRF Canada-Caribbean Resilience Facility
DANA National Damage Assessment and Needs Analysis
DRM Disaster Risk Management
ECLAC Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
EnGenDER Enabling Gender-Responsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmental Resilience in the
Caribbean
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
GHG Greenhouse Gas
GSDS Green State Development Strategy
IICA Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture
JICA Japan International Cooperation Agency
LCDS Low Carbon Development Strategy
M&E Monitoring and Evaluation
NEMS National Emergency Management System
4NEOC National Emergency Operations Centre
PAHO Pan American Organization
PDNA Post-Disaster Needs Assessment
PLWDs Persons Living with Disabilities
RCI Recovery Capacity Index
RCP Representative Concentration Pathway
SRCA Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment
SVG Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
UN United Nations
UNFCCC United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
USD United States Dollars
XCD Eastern Caribbean Dollars
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Glossary of key terminology 1 xi
Building code: A set of ordinances or regulations and contributing to the strengthening of resilience and re-
associated standards intended to regulate aspects of duction of disaster losses.
the design, construction, materials, alteration and oc-
cupancy of structures which are necessary to ensure Disaster risk reduction: Disaster risk reduction is
human safety and welfare, including resistance to col- aimed at preventing new and reducing existing disas-
lapse 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 hu-
capacity to cope requires continuing awareness, re- man assets located in hazard-prone areas.
sources and good management, both in normal times
as well as during disasters or adverse conditions. Cop- Hazard: A process, phenomenon or human activity
ing capacities contribute to the reduction of disaster that may cause loss of life, injury or other health im-
risks. pacts, property damage, social and economic disrup-
tion 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 manage- likely, imminent or current disasters.
ment is the application of disaster risk reduction pol-
icies and strategies to prevent new disaster risk, re- Prevention: Activities and measures to avoid existing
duce existing disaster risk and manage residual risk, 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 SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ 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 im- hoods required for the full functioning of a community
mediately after a disaster in order to save lives, reduce or a society affected by a disaster, aligning with the
health impacts, ensure public safety and meet the ba- principles of sustainable development and “build back
sic subsistence needs of the people affected. better”, to avoid or reduce future disaster risk.
Resilience: The ability of a system, community or so- Vulnerability: The conditions determined by physical,
ciety exposed to hazards to resist, absorb, accommo- social, economic and environmental factors or pro-
date, adapt to, transform and recover from the effects cesses which increase the susceptibility of an individ-
of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner, including ual, a community, assets or systems to the impacts of
through the preservation and restoration of its essen- hazards.
tial basic structures and functions through risk man-
agement.
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Executive Summary
01
1
Introduction
Photo: Nandani Bridglal | istock.com
2 1.1 Need for timely, inclusive, and mitment for the development of recovery policies
resilient recovery in the Caribbean and programs (GFDRR, 2020) more rapidly. This is
particularly important in the Caribbean Small Island
The Caribbean region is highly prone to disasters, in- Development States (SIDS), where long-standing and
cluding hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, flooding, pervasive human-resource constraints and coun-
and landslides. Higher temperatures, changing precip- try-specific technical capacity gaps, both at the na-
itation patterns, more frequent, intense, and extreme tional government level and in all sectors, represent
weather events, and sea level rise (SLR) resulting from major obstacles for planning and implementing time-
climate change, further exacerbate disaster risk in the ly and efficient disaster recovery operations. Conse-
region. Major hazard impacts destroy infrastructure quently, a better understanding of capacity gaps and
and property, result in losses from foregone output a focus on strengthening existing recovery capacity
and incomes, and escalate costs as individuals and of the development sectors most affected by disas-
businesses are forced to work around disruptions. ters in these countries can increase the efficiency
Disasters jeopardize hard-won national development and effectiveness of recovery investments. The Can-
gains and growth prospects, erode fiscal cushions, ada-Caribbean Resilience Facility (CRF) has engaged
and disproportionately impact the wellbeing of the in the standardized assessment of recovery capacity
poor. Caribbean countries lost an average of 3.6 per- needs in key development sectors of six Caribbean
cent of aggregate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per nations as a first step to assist countries to bridge re-
year Between 2000 and 2019 to damages related to covery capacity gaps and build resilience to climate
natural hazards, compared to 0.3 percent in all emerg- impacts and disasters. The countries are Antigua and
ing markets and developing economies (World Bank, Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Saint Lucia,
2021). Indeed, the economic cost of disasters in the and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) and the
Caribbean region is so high that it often exceeds the assessment could be undertaken in other countries,
size of the economy of the countries affected (Ötker depending on demand.
and Srinivasan, 2018).
However, more timely and inclusive recovery efforts 1.2 Assessing Sectoral Recovery Capacity
and consequently, faster and better reconstruction in the Caribbean
can lower social and economic burdens and allow a
more rapid recovery of pre-disaster development lev- In order to assist Caribbean governments prepare for
els. This critically depends on strong public systems timely, efficient, and effective implementation of inclu-
that can rapidly coordinate and cost-effectively mobi- sive, climate-resilient recovery projects, the CRF de-
lize resources, reconstruct infrastructure, deliver ser- veloped the Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment
vices, and enable the rebuilding of local economies in (SRCA) in partnership with the Caribbean Disaster
the aftermath of disasters. Confronted with recurrent Emergency Management Agency (CDEMA) and has
extreme weather conditions and the prospect of more coordinated activities with the Enabling Gender-Re-
frequent and intense hydrometeorological events with sponsive Disaster Recovery, Climate and Environmen-
climate change, resilient recovery planning and in- tal Resilience in the Caribbean (EnGenDER) project
vestments have become a priority for the Caribbean for its implementation. The SRCA has been included
region. in CDEMA’s Comprehensive Disaster Management
(CDM) Audit Tool, which covers the different phases
Preparing for recovery entails enhancing ex-ante the of the Disaster Risk Management (DRM) cycle (figure
capacity of national governments to recover from 2), to complement the national recovery component of
losses and damages, define and strengthen institu- the tool, and to facilitate the identification of solutions
tional and financial systems that support the recov- to sectoral capacity issues that could delay the imple-
ery process, and obtain the necessary political com- mentation of recovery projects.
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Introduction
Results of the SRCA are expected to serve as plan- governments and other stakeholders. Based on their 3
ning instruments and benefit national governments, own criteria, priorities, and needs, each government
sectoral stakeholders, national DRM agencies, and selects the sector to be assessed. The Government of
CDEMA in their efforts to enable a rapid and effective Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has selected agricul-
recovery in the aftermath of disasters. Recommenda- ture, forestry and fisheries in view of their economic
tions emerging from the assessment will also inform and social importance, the consequences of previous
the prioritization, design, and implementation of recov- disasters and the vulnerability of the sector, its infra-
ery-related capacity-building activities under the CRF, structure and investments vis-a-vis projected climate
and inform potential investments to prepare for recov- change impacts, including sea level rise, floods and
ery as well as additional activities to be led by national droughts.
FIGURE 2..
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
e
edn
> Emergency planning
and Prepar
> Training and exercises
> Individual preparations
Understanding
duction
> Risk transfer systems, e.g
- Insurance Risk
tion
- Safety nets Event analysis
n
> Forecast-based financing > Documentation of event
e
ity re
Re
ev
> Lessons learnt for
co
Pr ver
Eve
preparednesss, response
y
and recovery
l
Prevention and mitigation
i
n
b
t
ra
> Policy and planning
Eva
lne
> Structural measures and
nature-based solutions Recovery, rehabilitation and
lu
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).
Introduction SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
4 1.3 Specific objectives of the Recovery namely, (i) Governance, (ii) Competencies, and (iii)
Capacity Assessment for the Resources and Tools. Each of these components in-
agriculture sector and the forestry cludes a series of complementary areas covered under
and fisheries subsectors in Saint the component, referred to as key elements. In turn,
Vincent and the Grenadines each key element covers a series of topics, referred to
as sub elements. Gender and disability inclusion are
The objectives of the SRCA are to: crosscutting issues. The assessment structure estab-
lishes a relational cascade between the components
» Improve the understanding of the existing capacity at policy-making level, their key elements at strate-
of the Government of Saint Vincent and the Grena- gic and programmatic level, and the sub elements at
dines, its Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries operational level of each key element. This structure
and Rural Development, and other key stakehold- therefore allows addressing key enabling factors for
ers in the agriculture sector to take the necessary recovery at each level of the framework (figure 3).
actions to prepare for and undertake timely and
efficient climate resilient, gender-responsive and Data collection and analysis: The assessment is
disability-inclusive disaster recovery projects; based on data and information retrieved from a desk
» Identify capacity gaps, weaknesses and challenges that review and a consultation process with key public and
limit the timely and efficient implementation of recovery private stakeholders who over the course of multiple
projects in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ agricul- sessions carried out in person in October 2022 com-
ture sector, and forestry and fisheries subsectors; and pleted the SRCA questionnaire, designed following the
» Identify opportunities for investments to support SRCA framework structure (see Annex 3). When stake-
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ agriculture sector, holders disagreed on the response to specific ques-
forestry and fisheries subsectors, and institutions tions, the team in charge of the assessment moderat-
in overcoming recovery capacity gaps, weaknesses ed discussions, based on evidence whenever possible,
and limitations (e.g. policy reforms, institutional re- until an agreement was reached. Additionally, where
structuring, training and investments), and prioritize the responses differed from the results of the desk re-
interventions to be financed by the government as view, the team posed additional questions to identify
well as by bilateral and multilateral donors to im- the reasons for the mismatch.
prove the sector’s capacity to prepare for recovery.
For the analysis of the collected information, the
SRCA methodology uses semi-quantitative approach-
1.4 Assessment methodology es that enable the translation of qualitative and value
judgments into numerical values within established
The SRCA methodology was designed to evaluate the ranges. These approaches include a scoring system
conditions and extent to which existing national and that assigns quantitative values to the qualitative in-
sectoral capacity enable timely, effective, and coor- formation collected for each of the questions in the
dinated gender-informed and disability-inclusive cli- SRCA questionnaire, including the narrative responses
mate-resilient disaster recovery in the framework of that stakeholders provide during consultations (Table
national DRM policy. Specifically, the SRCA assesses 1), and the Recovery Capacity Index (RCI) calculated
the conditions under which recovery considerations from the scores assigned to the responses. Resulting
have been integrated into sectoral policies, plans, in- RCI values describe the extent to which the consider-
stitutions, and administrative, financial, and operative ations necessary for effective recovery are taken into
processes, as well as the extent of the integration. account and integrated by the sector as part of stan-
dard sectoral processes and operationalization of the
Assessment Framework: The SRCA framework con- country’s DRM policies.
sists of three main and interrelated components,
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ 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 Moderate problem Need for action and Partially Acceptable
(> 75 percent completed) measure
2 In progress Major problem Need for action and Partially Scarce
(> 50 percent completed) measure
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 SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ 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 rap- tions — areas with absent or low level of integration of
id 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
LOW
90–100 the sector’s organizational culture. Tools and protocols for the continuous improvement of
the sector’s performance and impact are available.
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Introduction
02
7
The agriculture sector in Saint
Vincent and the Grenadines
Photo: thierry64 | istock.com
8 Despite a considerable decline in the last twenty years al issues, including deficient data collection systems,
due to the loss of preferential trading arrangements weak management and entrepreneurial capabilities
for bananas, exposure to exotic diseases and invasive among fisherfolks, weak enforcement of regulations,
pests, and a series of destructive natural disasters, ag- partial compliance with export standards, and the side
riculture continues to represent an important founda- effects of natural hazards (GoSVG, 2016).
tion of the economy and remains crucial for livelihoods,
especially in rural areas. In 2021 and 2020, it contribut- The forest subsector is pivotal to the sustainable
ed 6.5 and 8.6 of GDP, respectively (WorldBank, 2022). development of the country. The topography of the
It provides needed foreign exchange earnings, and country is mountainous, and forests represent 73.2
employs around 10 percent of the labor force (World per cent of total land, comprising four major subareas:
Bank, 2022). The sector is heavily export-driven, with a the rainforest proper, elfin and montane woodlands,
combination of several commodities produced for the palm break forests, and mangrove forests (World
regional and international markets, including banana Bank, 2022). Mangroves occupy about 50 hectares of
and a variety of root and tuber crops (GoSVG, 2016). land, primarily in Union Island, Mustique, and the south
The livestock sub-sector is also relevant, despite being coast of Saint Vincent, and provide societal benefits
hindered by a series of externalities, including theft, ex- for climate change adaptation and mitigation (GoSVG,
cessive cost of commercial feed, limited land availabil- 2016). The largest contiguous area of forest consists
ity for grazing, and reduced access to capital (GoSVG, of 132 square kilometers located within the Saint Vin-
2016). The majority of the country’s livestock – sheep, cent’s central mountain range encompassing the La
goats, cattle, and pigs – is raised in small family hold- Soufrière National Park and the proposed Kingstown
ings, with most of the products from the livestock in- Forest Reserve (GoSVG, 2016).
dustry being consumed in the local market.
Forest areas support biodiversity, including popula-
Agriculture is predominantly practiced on Saint Vin- tions of threatened species and comprise some critical
cent, with some subsistence farming on the larger watersheds crucial for freshwater production. How-
Grenadines islands. There are some 8,000 farmers in ever, they are increasingly subjected to development
the country, of which 90 percent are smallholders oc- pressures, including for cannabis cultivation. Luckily,
cupying less than five acres of land, and a significant the Government appreciates the contribution of forest
share consists of landless farmers informally working ecosystems to the national economy, wellbeing, and
on crown lands (FAO, 2017). The amount of land avail- in the fight against climate change, and recognizes in
able to be developed for agriculture is limited and sec- particular the need to strengthen the institutional and
toral stakeholders are forced to compete with housing legal frameworks contributing to sustainable forest
and other commercial interests, frequently ending up management in the benefit of livelihoods.
farming land that is not suitable for agriculture use
and revert to hillside farming and other deficient prac-
tices, compounding vulnerability. 2.1 Disasters and their impact on
agriculture
The fisheries sub-sector employs about 2,500 people
and mirrors the agriculture sector in that it is predomi- SVG is exposed to multiple hazards, especially hurri-
nantly small-scale and artisanal (GoSVG, 2016). Aqua- canes, floods, landslides, and drought, and to a lesser
culture activities are currently non-existent, despite extent and frequency volcanic eruptions, earthquakes,
being planned in the medium to long-run, and landing and tsunamis. It ranks 54 globally in terms of exposure
sites mostly require improved storage facilities, a cold to natural disasters, and is among the top three coun-
chain, and upgraded fishing vessels and equipment tries within the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) at
(GoSVG, 2016). The resilience and sustainability of the relatively high mortality risk from two or more hazards
fisheries sub-sector are negatively impacted by sever- (World Bank, 2010). Economic risk as a percentage of
The agriculture sector
in Saint Vincent and
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR the Grenadines
GDP from two or more hazards is estimated at 41.6 Volcanic risk is also latent, as demonstrated by the se- 9
percent and hazard events, particularly those of a ries of La Soufrière explosive eruptions in the spring
hydrometeorological nature, constantly hamper pro- of 2021. The volcano has erupted approximately six
ductivity and national development prospects, and un- to seven times in recorded history, with serious im-
derscore the inherent vulnerabilities of the agriculture pacts to human life and agricultural livelihoods. The
sector and the fisheries subsector (World Bank, 2010). most recent event required the swift evacuation of the
northern part of the island, home to critical agricul-
Geographically at the southern end of the Atlantic tural assets, many of which suffered heavy damages
Hurricane Belt, the country is extremely vulnerable to and losses, quantified at XCD 634,654,692 (GoSVG,
hurricane force winds and related hazards, and every 2021). Especially concerning are the poorest agricul-
given year it has a nine percent probability to be im- tural communities living in the most hazardous volca-
pacted by a hurricane (CSU, 2022). As the agriculture nic zones. Depending on the entity and magnitude of
and fisheries sectors continue to be disrupted by the eruptions, areas outside of the denominated Red Zone
impacts of these hazards, the government is forced can be affected, and even neighboring countries. For
to periodically divert human and financial resources instance, during the last eruption, volcanic ash and
from socio-economic growth and development activi- gas reached as far as Barbados, located 190 km away
ties into response, recovery, and rehabilitation efforts. (U.S. DoS, 2021).
Heavy and protracted rains can result in extensive Tsunami risk is associated with the eruption of the
flooding, which can be highly damaging for the agricul- submarine volcano Kick ‘em Jenny, located off the
ture sector and threaten food security. For instance, northern coast of Grenada. Given the proximity of this
the floods of 2013 and 2016 caused significant de- underwater volcano to the Grenadines, the generation
struction to both crops and infrastructure (GoSVG, of a tsunami would require extremely rapid evacuation
2016 and GoSVG, 2014). Additionally, rains often to reduce risk, underscoring the necessity of having ef-
cause landslides, a widespread hazard in SVG due to fective early warning systems in place (GoSVG, 2016).
a combination of volcanic geomorphology and terrain,
and inadequate sustainable land management (SLM) Seismic risk is low to moderate, due to the country’s
practices, especially on steep slopes (GoSVG, 2016 location along the Eastern rim of the Caribbean plate,
and GoSVG, 2014). and seismic activities are continuously recorded. In
addition to earthquakes created by tectonic process-
Drought represents an additional threat to the agricul- es, volcanic earthquakes associated with eruptions of
ture sector, as the whole Eastern Caribbean region is the La Soufrière volcano are also possible.
periodically influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscilla-
tion (ENSO) system. Particularly vulnerable to drought
are the coastal regions of Saint Vincent as well as the 2.2 Climate change impacts on
Grenadine island chain, the latter depending largely on agriculture
rainwater harvesting (GoSVG, 2016). In 2020, farmers
endured XCD 16 million in losses as a result of the The Caribbean region, consisting of mostly Small Is-
drought, and in 2009-2010, severe drought conditions land Developing States (SIDS), is globally one of the
were experienced, which imposed significant costs to most vulnerable areas to the adverse impacts of cli-
the economy and disrupted Central Water and Sewage mate change (IPCC, 2021). Projections for Saint Vin-
Authority systems and the agriculture sector, reported- cent and the Grenadines suggest an increase in both
ly affecting 8.76 percent of GDP, 15.4 percent of em- atmospheric and sea surface temperatures, an overall
ployment, and reducing agricultural production by 20 decrease in precipitation, a rise in sea level, the salini-
percent (OHCHR, 2021). zation of arable land and freshwater, and the prospect
of hydrometeorological phenomena becoming both
The agriculture sector
in Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
10 more intense and more scattered (IPCC, 2021). This
creates serious complications for agriculture and fish-
Climate change projections for
eries, as traditional agricultural practices are climate
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines*
dependent and fish populations are directly and heavi-
ly affected by changes in atmospheric conditions.
» Higher mean annual temperatures (0.63°
to 1.06°C) by 2050.
Irrigation infrastructure, feeder roads, and farms al-
ready suffer recurrent damage and destruction from
» Lower annual precipitation (200.40mm to
978.93mm) in 2050.
floodwaters, siltation, and high winds caused by
storms. The agriculture sector is highly vulnerable to
» Warm spell duration from 115.15 days
(median, 2022) to 336.69 (median, 2050).
both hurricanes and droughts, and changes in precipi-
tation patterns as well as extended dry spells have the * Representative concentration pathway (RCP) 8.5
ensemble.
potential of greatly upsetting the sector given its heavy Source: World Bank 2020.
reliance on rainfall for production (John, 2016). Other
challenges, including inappropriate land use and un-
sustainable agricultural practices such as mono-crop- considers building resilience and integrating DRM into
ping, have contributed to land degradation and soil sectors such as agriculture and fisheries a national
erosion, amplifying the sector’s vulnerability to climate priority and a paramount necessity to achieve sustain-
change (GoSVG, 2015). able development.
SVG’s agricultural production is currently threatened Figure 4 shows the areas affected by inland flooding
by climate change’s direct effects on crop and live- for a 100-year return period. Coastal inundation sce-
stock viability, and the impact that changes in tem- nario maps are presented in Annex 2.
perature and rain patterns have on agricultural yields
and food security. The sector already suffers regularly
from severe hurricane and drought damage and, as 2.3 Gender, agriculture, climate change
temperatures continue to rise, several crops will ex- and disasters
perience heat stress and increasingly lack the ideal
climate conditions for maximizing yields (IICA, 2015). In line with global and regional trends, gender in-
equalities in SVG persist. According to the Caribbean
Gradually, higher temperatures will affect crop growth Development Bank (CDB) (2015) and the Econom-
and nutritional value, as well as multiply the number ic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean
and types of pests, diseases, and other negative ex- (ECLAC) (2011), female-headed households (FHHs)
ternalities. Changing rainfall intensity, duration, and in the country tend to be overrepresented among the
occurrence will additionally alter the growing season poorest households and as such have lower resilience
and affect water availability, with growing storm inten- capacity and experience the negative consequences
sities leading to higher flood risk during heavy rains as of natural disasters more sharply than male. Among
well as increased soil erosion. Changing rainfall pat- other factors, female household heads are more likely
terns and rising temperatures are also set to lead to to be unemployed than their male counterparts (CA-
more severe drought episodes causing water stress, NARI, 2021).
and water quality may also be reduced due to season-
al lack of water availability and salt-water intrusion due Overall, vulnerable women tend to outnumber vul-
to excessive groundwater extraction (IICA, 2015). nerable men, and requests for public assistance are
higher in women than men (UNDP, 2020). Additionally,
Currently, the Government recognizes the costs of women tend to rely more on remittances from abroad,
climate variability and change for disaster risk and although they have a higher level of entitlement to em-
The agriculture sector
in Saint Vincent and
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR the Grenadines
FIGURE 4.. 11
Inland flooding for a 100-year return period in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
ployment-related insurance benefits from the National tional Emergency Management Organization is head-
Insurance Scheme as 41.8 percent of women’s em- ed by a female director.
ployment is based on a written contract, compared to
31.6 percent for men (UNDP, 2020). According to UN Women (2021), the participation of
women and men in specific sectors and throughout
Women and men have asymmetric access to and con- the value chains may determine their capacity to cope
trol over assets and productive resources (CDB, 2015). with natural hazards. In the fishing industry, women
Low access to assets and resources is reflected in the depend more on onshore activities related to fisher-
lack of entrepreneurship opportunities, as female-led ies and have multiple income streams such as selling
businesses tend to have limited access to credit and fish and food, while men engage in sea-fishing, which
less incidence of land ownership than men (CDB, may result in more limited coping capacity for the lat-
2015) despite the fact that 38.6 percent of total busi- ter (UN Women, 2021). Likewise, women in agriculture
nesses are headed by women, a rate which is about tend to be involved in the entire value chain while men
twice the average for LAC and structural peers. tend to concentrate in a few activities, namely planting
and harvesting (UN Women, 2021). Despite this, wom-
Women hold only 18 percent of seats in the national en may experience the effects of occupational sex
parliament of SVG, a rate much lower than the LAC segregation, which greatly limits their cross-sectoral
average and that of structural peers. While this data re- mobility compared to men.
veals potential barriers limiting women’s engagement
in decision-making, it is positively noted that the Na- Vincentian women appear more prepared for climate
and disaster risks, are more conscious of climate
The agriculture sector
in Saint Vincent and
the Grenadines SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
12 change, more involved in discussions on the issue and (Inter-American Convention on the Elimination of All
take immediate action upon hearing alerts (UN Wom- Forms of Discrimination Against Persons with Disabil-
en, 2021). This is based on social and traditional norms ities, 1999), which is the first regional legal framework
which shape the different ways in which women and for the protection of the rights of persons with disabil-
men cope with shocks. Nevertheless, the Multi-Haz- ities2, and there are few social protection mechanisms
ard Early Warning System (MHEWS) report for Saint in support of the rights of persons with disabilities.
Vincent and the Grenadines (CDEMA, 2018) highlights The Constitution prohibits discrimination on the basis
deficiencies in disaster risk knowledge related to the of sex, race, place of origin, political opinions, color,
analysis and preparation of information for vulnerable or creed, but makes no mention of persons with dis-
groups and a communication gap evidenced by a lack abilities, and the country currently does not have an
of sufficiently targeted warning messages which ca- ombudsman or a human rights institution of any kind.
ter to specific gender needs. This report subsequently A comprehensive draft national disability policy, which
informed the Communications Plan to support Saint covers everything from human rights to health and
Vincent and the Grenadines’ Early Warning Systems employment and access to reasonable accommoda-
(CDEMA, 2019) which outlines specific measures to tion has been developed and drafted (GoSVG, 2014).
ensure early warning system messages are targeted However, the draft policy is outdated and there still ex-
toward and address the specific needs of women, in- ist several barriers to its implementation.
cluding older women. The plan is however limited by
the absence of a monitoring framework. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines has a range of dis-
ability support organizations representing people with
disabilities across the spectrum of physical, sensory,
2.4 Disability, agriculture, climate change intellectual, and psychosocial disabilities, and provide
and disasters them with a level of day-to-day support. The National
Society of Persons with Disabilities is the cross-dis-
While official disaggregated disability data in Saint ability national umbrella organization advocating for
Vincent and the Grenadines is difficult to source, as- human rights and promotes, among other things, the
suming disability prevalence is consistent with that education, training, rehabilitation, and employment of
of neighboring Caribbean countries, it is likely that up persons with disabilities. It facilitates the integration
to 15 percent of the current population of 111,000 – of persons with disabilities into society and provides
around 16,650 people – live with some form of dis- representation in national policy and planning forums.
ability (CPA, 2018). Numbers tend to be slightly higher However, it appears to have little influence on the al-
among females and increase as the population ages. location of resources for persons with disabilities or
Also, difficulties in physical mobility and impaired vi- national policy. While there is no data available relating
sion tend to be the most common functional disabili- to the employment of persons with disabilities in the
ties and levels of psychosocial impairment are usually agriculture sector and fisheries subsector, there is no
poorly understood and certainly underestimated. legislation to support providing employment opportu-
nities for persons with disabilities. Typically, persons
The Government formally acceded to the UN Conven- with disabilities are over-represented among the poor
tion on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) are under-represented in the workforce generally. As
and its Optional Protocol in October 2010. However, a consequence, their resilience to both economic
the government has not signed the Inter-American shocks and climate and other hazard-related disasters
Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrim- tends to be relatively low.
ination Against Persons with Disabilities (CIADDIS)
2
While both the CRPD and the CIADDIS are international instruments designed for the protection of the rights of persons with disabilities,
they differ in their respective understandings of disability.
The agriculture sector
in Saint Vincent and
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR the Grenadines
03
13
The Sectoral Recovery
Capacity Assessment
implementation process
in Saint Vincent and the
Grenadines
Photo: Anfisa Tukane | istock.com
14 In SVG, the National Emergency Management Organi- lowed the process presented in figure 5. The process
sation (NEMO) bears the institutional responsibility for started with a briefing to NEMO on the methodology
disaster management. NEMO works closely with and and a desktop review. The Ministry of Agriculture, For-
supports the work of ministries, line agencies and other estry, Fisheries and Rural Development completed the
actors in risk management at the national and sectoral assessment questionnaire and coordinated various in-
level. The Sectoral Recovery Capacity Assessment terviews with government officials and a consultation
has been implemented in SVG under the leadership of in Kingstown, involving both private and public sector
the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Ru- stakeholders, to confirm, complement and discuss the
ral Development and NEMO. The implementation fol- responses provided in 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
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR process in SVG
04
15
Results overview
Photo: mbrand85 | istock.com
16 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: 52 Low or
absent
(0-24)
1. Governance
Basic or
100
Recovery Capacity Index
incipent
80 (25-49)
60 Moderate
51 (50–74)
40
20 Advanced
(75–89)
0
47 Full
57
(90-100)
3. Resources and Tools 2. Competencies (operational
capacity) and Skills
4.1 General findings eruption. Investments are therefore necessary to build
sectoral and sub sectoral capacity to operationalize
The analyses conducted assessed the capacity of the enabling policy for recovery that is being con-
SVG’s agriculture sector to plan, design and execute structed, ensuring that tools and resources are avail-
resilient and inclusive recovery projects in a timely, ef- able. Knowledge and skills for the implementation of
ficient, and effective manner as moderate, with a sec- resilient agriculture, fisheries and forestry recovery
tor-level RCI of 52 (figure 6). The implementation of projects also need to be created and sustained.
recovery projects is enabled, to a certain extent, by a
moderate integration of recovery considerations into In general, capacity building interventions are required to:
national and sectoral governance frameworks (RCI of
51), and by the resources and tools currently available » Increase general DRM knowledge and basic DRM
for recovery (RCI of 57). However, resilient recovery implementation capacity, with a focus on gen-
is constrained by weaknesses in the Competencies der- and disability-inclusive recovery frameworks,
component, particularly, in the knowledge and skills across key actors in the agriculture, fisheries and
available within the sector for planning and imple- forestry sub-sectors. This can strengthen and facil-
menting recovery projects (RCI of 47). itate recovery planning before a catastrophic event
and enable better communication on the topic with-
The above findings are supported by the analysis of in the MAFFRD and across government agencies.
results at the key element level (figure 7). However, it » Strengthen collaboration and communication
should be noted that while this more in-depth analysis between the Departments of the MAFFRD and
suggests that a moderate capacity exists within the between the MAFFRD and other key government
sector for planning and implementation of recovery institutions and streamline strategic and planning
project portfolio activities, which obtained RCI values processes for development and DRM, including re-
of 78 and 58 respectively, these have been guided covery to ensure all sub sectors are well represent-
by central ministries and international organizations ed in the prioritization of actions and projects and
supporting the Government of Saint Vincent and the their DRM needs addressed.
Grenadines in the recovery from La Soufrière volcano
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results overview
FIGURE 7 . 17
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 1:
Component 3: Governance
Low or
Resources and tools 1.1. Policies and Legal Framework absent
100 (0–24)
3.5. Project implementation 1.2. Strategies and Plans
80 Basic or
Recovery Capacity Index
incipent
60 57 (25–49)
3.4. Financing 58 1.3. Institutions and
40 44
Coordination Moderate
51 20 41 (50–74)
0
3.3. Resilient recovery 44 56
2.1. Workforce Advanced
project design (75–89)
45
35
48
78 Full
3.2. PDNA and Project 2.2. Capacity (90-100)
portfolio planning (knowledge and skills)
3.1. Natural-hazard data 2.3. Human Resources,
and risk Information Profile suitability
Component 2:
Competencies
» Strengthen the generation and management of estry sector in SVG is assessed as moderate, with an
hazard data and risk Information and its use in the RCI of 51 (figure 8). The national DRM policy and legal
design of resilient and inclusive recovery projects framework, and some sectoral opportunities, enable
as well as in everyday operations. to a certain extent, the implementation of recovery
» Improve access to funding for DRM for agriculture, projects (RCI of 57). However, this framework is cur-
fisheries and forestry to support capacity building rently outdated and, prior to the La Soufrière eruption,
and disaster losses. recovery was practically absent from national and
» Strengthen gender- and disability-inclusive DRM sectoral development strategy and plans (RCI of 44).
and climate change integration in project design In the aftermath of the eruption, recovery became a
and implementation. national priority, and the recommendations and proj-
ects included in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment
The following sections offer a more detailed analysis (PDNA) have been adopted in practice as recovery and
of the results obtained for each of the components as- development priorities by many sectors, including ag-
sessed. Key recommendations are provided in Section riculture, fisheries and forestry.
5 and more detailed recommendations, including ca-
pacity building interventions, in Annex 2. The Government of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines is
making efforts to update the national DRM policy, strat-
egy and plans, as well as the corresponding legislation,
4.2 Findings for Governance ensuring the updated documents integrate the lessons
from the COVID-19 pandemic and the volcano erup-
The capacity and enabling factors for recovery at the tion, as well as the PDNA results. This review process
Governance level of the agriculture, fisheries and for- offers an opportunity to revisit and make better known
Results overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
18 FIGURE 8..
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: 51 absent
1.1. Policies and (0-24)
Legal Framework
100 Basic or
Recovery Capacity Index
incipent
80 (25-49)
57
60 Moderate
(50–74)
40
20 Advanced
(75–89)
0
41 Full
44
(90-100)
1.3. Institutions and 1.2. Strategies and
Coordination Plans
the roles and responsibilities of different national ac- private contractors following strict ToRs, but that com-
tors for improved DRM coordination. It is also critical to pliance with building regulations – for projects under
strengthen the capacity of the MAFFRD to coordinate 25,000 square feet – is a national challenge which the
recovery activities (RCI of 41), as currently there are no Physical Planning Department struggles to address in
institutionalized mechanisms or tools to enable it, which the multi-island state due to staff and budgeting con-
leaves the subsectors planning and implementing re- straints (RCI of 19).
covery projects independently, with technical support
from NEMO and financing from the Ministry of Finance, Other important findings from the policy and legal
Economic Planning and Information and other sources. framework enabling resilient recovery are the following:
This has implications on the efficient and appropriate
prioritization and implementation of recovery initiatives » DRM and recovery policy in SVG are guided by the
within the MAFFRD, and leaves some sub-sectors, par- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines National Disas-
ticularly Forestry, with unmet recovery needs. ter Plan (2005) and in the Disaster Risk Reduction
Country Document (2014), both of which include
At the sub-element level (figure 9), the assessment recovery considerations. However, the concept of
supports the above findings but also highlights the recovery, and of better preparing to recover from
very basic national and sectoral capacity to main- disasters, has not been included in national de-
stream and operationalize gender and disability con- velopment policy and strategy. For example, the
siderations in DRM – including recovery – policy and National Economic and Social Development Plan
legislation and strategies and plans (RCI of 38 and 31 (2013-2025) recognizes SVG’s vulnerability to the
respectively), as well as in institutional portfolios and impact of multiple hazards, includes “To enhance
everyday operations (RCI of 38). Further, the assess- the capability of St. Vincent and the Grenadines
ment found that the application of building codes (for to prepare effectively for, respond to and mitigate
projects over 25,000 square feet), which include es- disasters” as a strategic objective and proposes
sential gender and disability considerations, is mainly key interventions for disaster preparedness and
restricted to major infrastructure projects, executed by response, including the review of the National Di-
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results overview
FIGURE 9 . 19
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 75
80 Basic or
Recovery Capacity Index
1.3.3. Building codes and 66 1.1.3. Foundations for incipent
60 (25–49)
regulation compliance recovery
38 40 50 Moderate
19 20 1.1.4. Mainstreaming (50–74)
1.3.2. Coordination 60
54 DRM&CCA
0
44 38 Advanced
31 (75–89)
1.1.5. Gender and disability
1.3.1. Institutions 46
38 inclusion in policy
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
saster Plan to integrate climate change consider- tees develop and coordinate the implementation of
ations, but does not mention recovery. district-level disaster management plans, ensuring
» Roles and responsibilities for DRM in the country they are consistent with the National Disaster Man-
are established in the National Emergency and agement Plan. Despite such clear national struc-
Disaster Management Act, 2006, with the Nation- ture, the management and operationalization of
al Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) DRM in the country tends to be centralized.
acting as the central agency with responsibility for » Despite clear specifications in the National Emer-
coordinating disaster management in the State. gency and Disaster Management Act, 2006, the
The National DRM governance structure consists National Disaster Management Plan and the Act
of a National Emergency Council (NEC), a National itself have not been revised in decades, largely due
Emergency Executive Committee (NEEC), a Secre- to budgeting constraints and the absence of an in-
tariat and district disaster management Commit- stitutionalized mechanism for the regular updating
tees. The NEC, chaired by the Prime Minister, is of national policies and legislation. For similar rea-
the main policy and advisory body which assists in sons, the formulation and approval of a National
the preparation and review of the National Disaster Disaster Management Policy has been lagging, al-
Management Plan; establishes sub-committees, though a draft Policy was developed in 2014. Whilst
as required, and requests international disaster the PDNA elaborated in 2021 is guiding recovery
management-related assistance. The NEEC mon- and development policy in various ministries, in-
itors the operation of all sub-committees, imple- cluding the MAFFRD, updating the national and
ments the NEC’s plans and policies and reports to sectoral DRM framework and ensuring recovery
the NEC. District disaster management commit- is mainstreamed in upcoming development strat-
Results overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
20 egies is necessary to ensure the country and sec- is crucial that these documents are developed in
tors continue to focus on recovery and on building an articulated manner and integrate operational as-
resilient recovery readiness after the PDNA expires. pects of resilient recovery, beyond the initial recov-
» Whilst the Fisheries Department issued in 2012 a ery phase. It is also crucial to ensure that gender
Fisheries and Aquaculture Policy, there is no official and disability-specific needs are addressed across
national policies or strategies for agriculture or for- all phases of disaster management.
estry in SVG. As a development strategy for its crop » Finalization of the Saint Vincent and the Gren-
and livestock agriculture subsectors the MAFFRD adines Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries Concise
is following the 2021 PDNA recommendations and Multi-hazard Disaster Management Plan, ensuring
projects and the CARICOM 25 by 25 Program, a pro- it includes operational measures for resilient and
gram that seeks to reduce by 25 percent the food gender and disability inclusive recovery planning
import bills in CARICOM countries by 2025. How- and implementation for all subsectors, including
ever, there is no specific policy, strategic or plan- forestry. The Plan would benefit from integrating
ning guidance for the development of the Forestry both, early and long-term recovery actions and
subsector and the Forestry Department is currently from integrating the lessons learned thus far from
more engaged in watershed management issues, the implementation of PDNA projects.
than in projects related to food security. Institu- » Development of a Strategic Plan for all subsectors
tionalized mechanisms for coordination between managed by the MAFFRD to guide development and
subsectors are needed to avoid deeper policy and recovery activities beyond the PDNA in the coming
strategic fragmentation. In this regard, establishing years, strengthen coordination and avoid duplication.
a strong DRM framework that integrates and aligns » Establishment of an effective process or mech-
the needs of all subsectors can help strengthen the anism for updating national and sectoral policies
efficiency of capacity building interventions for re- – including national development plans, – to inte-
silient recovery, and the efficacy of recovery actions grate both gender- and disability-inclusive recovery
within the MAFFRD. considerations and elements for their operational-
» With technical support from FAO, in 2016 the MAF- ization and coordination at the sectoral level. This
FRD elaborated the Agriculture Risk Management mechanism is currently lacking and needed.
Plan 2017-2025. This Plan sought to present an » With support from the OECS, update and enforce
integrated approach for managing disaster risks building codes and guidelines to enable Build-
within the agriculture and fisheries sectors, while ing-Back-Better in major and small sub sectoral re-
maximizing opportunities for adaptation to climate covery investments.
change. However, the Plan was not adopted or im- » Raise awareness to the general public on the im-
plemented, and remains generally unknown within portance of building code and guidelines for disas-
the MAFFRD, where the working draft of a new plan, ter risk reduction and recovery through dedicated
the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Agriculture, sensitization campaigns and, strengthen partner-
Forestry, Fisheries Concise Multi-hazard Disaster ships between lending institutions and the Physical
Management Plan is currently being finalized. Planning Department to advance compliance.
» Integrate elements to operationalize the BBB ap-
Opportunities identified for strengthening recovery ca- proach in sectoral recovery policy, strategic and
pacity at the governance level include: programmatic processes.
» Elaboration of a medium and long-term National
Disaster Management Policy, Strategy and Action 4.3 Findings for Competencies
Plan, aligned with the shorter-term Comprehen-
sive Disaster Management Country Work Program The capacity and skills existing in SVG’s agriculture,
(2022-2026) that CDEMA is currently supporting. It fisheries and forestry are basic and insufficient to de-
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results overview
sign and implement gender-sensitive and disability- Due to the absence of permanent DRM and gender 21
inclusive resilient recovery projects. This is indicated specialists and the low knowledge and skills in these
by the RCI of 47 obtained for the Competencies com- areas of the MAFFRD permanent staff, as well as to
ponent (figure 10) and reflects that despite a mod- shortages in the available equipment, software and
erate capacity of the MAFFRD workforce to conduct data collection and storage systems, the workforce
required sub-sectoral operations and projects (RCI of only has a moderate capacity to ensure their daily op-
56), the basic knowledge and skills of the agriculture, erations are risk-informed and inclusive (Workforce
fisheries and forestry workforce limits the effective RCI of 55). The MAFFRD has found in the private sec-
consideration and integration of DRM and recovery in tor a moderate capacity for the implementation of
relevant sectoral processes (RCI of 45) and the incipi- larger recovery projects in agriculture and fisheries; for
ent recruitment of staff with required profiles, prevents smaller projects, and for projects in forestry, the Min-
public agencies in the subsectors from acquiring and istry turns to private consultants, including MAFFRD
maintaining the capacity needed (RCI of 34). retirees, although their availability is limited (Private
sector RCI of 69).
The results at the level of sub-elements support
these findings (figure 11). In the aftermath of the La There is also a shortage of regular staff with the re-
Soufrière eruption and other recent previous extreme quired knowledge of DRM methods and tools and gaps
disasters, the MAFFRD has been able to prepare re- exist in the availability of staff trained in all aspects of
covery plans and implement various recovery projects the project management cycle. These issues, along
(Proven competencies RCI of 55). However, these with available opportunities abroad that attract quali-
projects have been generally small, and many of the fied national individuals and a high staff turnover with-
competencies needed for their prioritization, planning, in the MAFFRD, prevent the experience and expertise
design, funding and monitoring and evaluation resides gained from the implementation of recovery projects
in agencies external to the MAFFRD, including the Min- during previous disasters to remain in-house (Skills
istry of Finance and Economic Planning, NEMO and RCI of 38). This situation is aggravated by the fact that
international organizations, such as FAO and IICA. in many cases, financially larger projects are execut-
ed and supervised by external agencies – including
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: 47 absent
2.1. Workforce (0-24)
100
Basic or
80
Recovery Capacity Index
incipient
56 (25-49)
60
40 Moderate
(50–74)
20
0 Advanced
(75–89)
34 45
2.3. Human 2.2. Capacity Full
Resources, Profile (knowledge and (90-100)
suitability skills)
Results overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
22 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
60
2.1.2. Gender incipient
suitability 55 (25–49)
40
Moderate
34 20 38 (50–74)
0
55 Advanced
2.2.3. Proven 69
2.1.3. Private sector (75–89)
capacities
38
38
Full
(90-100)
2.2.2. Training 2.2.1. Skills
activities
Key element 2.2 Capacity (knowledge and skills)
partner international agencies, – neither leaving expe- of the Service Commissions Department, a public
rience nor knowledge that builds capacity within sub agency external to the MAFFRD. The Service Com-
sectoral institutions. missions Department recruits new public officers
without placing major focus on sectoral demands
Training opportunities in DRM have been few and spo- for specific profiles, which limits the possibility of
radic and, when available, the sub-sectoral agencies strengthening recovery competencies in agricul-
have faced difficulties in finding suitable candidates to ture, fisheries and forestry in a sustained manner.
use them (Training activities RCI of 38). Despite these » Low availability of professionals or technical per-
difficulties, the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sub sons trained in forestry in SVG is a serious concern
sectors are in urgent need of both training and recruit- to the Department of Forestry as some of their cur-
ment in these areas, along with mechanisms to en- rent staff will soon retire.
sure long-term DRM and recovery knowledge creation, » There is need for a closer collaboration between
retaining and transfer within the sector. the Ministry of National Mobilization and the MAF-
FRD, to unlock continuous training and sensitiza-
Additional findings of the assessment of competen- tion opportunities for MAFFRD staff on gender and
cies include the following: disability inclusion.
» Capacity building on the Build-Back-Better ap-
» Building capacity of government agencies on DRM proach is needed for staff of the Ministry of Trans-
and recovery has not been part of the sector de- port and Works and for contractors supporting this
velopment agenda. At present, public recruitment ministry in major infrastructure projects. However,
protocols, such as ToRs, do not include a minimum training on the BBB approach is not currently of-
DRM or gender integration knowledge in their cri- fered by any academic or technical institution in
teria and public recruitment is under the mandate the country, nor there is an agenda or roadmap for
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results overview
updating building codes and norms to integrate » Train MAFFRD staff in requisite tasks for the de- 23
BBB considerations. sign, implementation and monitoring of resilient re-
» The agriculture, fisheries and forestry subsectors covery projects. This includes training in: Data col-
require more training in PDNA elaboration and more lection, and design of recovery projects based on
active participation in the prioritization of recovery PDNAs recommendations; economic assessment
projects as part of the PDNA process, to see their of disaster-related damages and losses; GIS and
needs reflected and ensure none of the subsectors remote sensing; hazard mapping; hazard and risk
is left behind. data and information use; disaster prevention, pre-
paredness, and response; BBB approaches, build-
The need for building and strengthening competen- ing codes, and other resilience norms; disability
cies for resilient and inclusive recovery within the inclusion; gender analysis and integration; project
MAFFRD is recognized. Options to build the necessary cycle management – including M&E – and in DRM
knowledge and skills within public sub-sectoral agen- and recovery communication and awareness rais-
cies include the following: ing skills.
» Develop awareness-raising campaigns that are gen-
» Encourage donors to support provision of techni- der- and disability-informed, including events and
cal experts – secondments – in areas specific to materials to highlight the risks associated with cli-
DRM – specifically disaster cycle management and mate change for farmers, fishers and forest users
recovery – and gender and disability analysis and and provide recommendations for impact reduction.
integration to cover urgent needs at the MAFFRD, » Organize events for public officers on the impor-
work with and transfer knowledge to the staff of tance of gender and disability inclusive recovery as
each of the sub sectoral agencies. International a mechanism to strengthen resilient development
partners can as well offer more frequent opportu- efforts. Actively involve people with disabilities in
nities for training and technology transfer, includ- these events.
ing through the institutionalization of a capacity » Establish a formal and regular capacity building
building component within each support interven- training program on disability inclusion, including
tion. The private sector can also be encouraged to information opportunities for people with disabili-
strengthen its DRM capacity, for example in BBB ties in the subsectors, with the participation of agri-
approaches, and to enable resilient and inclusive culture, fisheries and forestry stakeholders.
recovery through actions such as imports of im- » Articulate regional and international existing ca-
proved crop varieties and developing insurance and pacity building opportunities with sectoral and sub
microinsurance programs suitable to the country’s sectoral needs by providing access to academic
agricultural context. programs for SVG professionals in areas related to
» Integrate basic gender and DRM – including recov- DRM, recovery – for example, state-of-the-art en-
ery – requirements in the general recruitment pro- gineering techniques for resilient construction and
tocols of the Service Commissions Department. other investments.
» Support NEMO, the Service Commissions Depart-
ment and other public agencies in the creation of
yearly disaster awareness workshops for agricul- 4.4 Findings for Resources and Tools
ture, fisheries and forestry officers
» With the support of the Services Commission De- The resources and tools available for resilient recov-
partment, institutionalize and implement training of ery in SVG’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry are as-
sectoral staff in DRM, disaster cycle management, sessed as moderate, with an RCI of 54 (figure 12).
and recovery and gender analysis and integration, Although recovery project implementation is mod-
to ensure the requisite knowledge and skills are de- erate (RCI of 58); it is supported by the 2021 PDNA
veloped and maintained. and its relevance for project portfolio planning at the
Results overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
24 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
Low or
Resources and Tools RCI: 57 and risk Information absent
100 (0–24)
80 Basic or
Recovery Capacity Index
incipient
60 (25–49)
48
3.5. Project 40 3.2. PDNA and Project Moderate
implementation 78 portfolio planning (50–74)
58 20
0 Advanced
(75–89)
44
51 Full
(90-100)
3.3. Resilient recovery
3.4. Financing
project design
national, sectoral and sub sectoral level (RCI of 78) and and effective integration of resilience into the sector’s
by the current capacity to access finance for recovery day-to-day procedures and operations, including proj-
in the sub sectors (RCI of 51). However, such capacity ect design and implementation (RCI of 44).
is not concentrated in the MAFFRD or sectoral stake-
holders, but rather in central ministries – for example, The results of the assessment at the sub-element
the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning – and level (figure 13) support these findings and addition-
international organizations working in agriculture and ally indicate that: a) the level of information about
fisheries mostly, which directly collaborate with the and access to recovery financing opportunities at the
MAFFRD in the implementation of recovery projects sub-sectors level is basic (RCI of 44) as procedures
in the sub-sectors. Three major factors affect the de- for institutionalizing resources for recovery into the
velopment of recovery capacity at the level of agricul- annual budgets of the MAFFRD and the sub sectors,
ture, fisheries and forestry. The first factor is the high and for facilitating direct access to recovery funding
level of centralization of recovery decisions beyond the after emergencies are practically missing; b) gender
MAFFRD; the second factor refers to limitations in the and disability integration into resilient project design
availability, generation, management and use of natu- are also incipient (RCI of 31); and c) the systematic
ral hazard and risk information (RCI of 48), specifical- use of M&E tools by the sub-sectoral agencies is in-
ly of functional and useful information to plan, design cipient (RCI of 44), as M&E is conducted on a project
and implement risk-based projects and resilient recov- basis following donor requirements or, for larger infra-
ery interventions in the subsectors. This encompasses structure projects happening in the sub-sectors, M&E
data and information that are of high quality and sys- is the responsibility of other ministries – for example
tematically collected or generated, at a frequency and the. Ministry of Transport and Works or the Ministry of
scale that can be used for investments and projects, in- Finance and Economic Planning.
cluding gender and disability disaggregated data. The
third factor relates to the incipient level of adoption and Detailed findings of the assessment include the fol-
use of resources and tools tailored for the systematic lowing:
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results overview
FIGURE 13 . 25
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 3.1 Natural Hazard
Data and Risk Information
Key element 3.2 Low or
Key element 3.5 3.1.1. Data collection and PDNA and Project absent
Portfolio Planning (0–24)
Project implementation management
3.5.4. M&E at project level 100 3.1.2. Use of risk
Basic or
information
Recovery Capacity Index
incipient
80
3.5.3. Building codes 3.2.1. PDNA mechanisms (25–49)
60 88
46 50
44 3.2.2. Planning of recovery Moderate
3.5.2. Project management 50 40 (50–74)
priorities
69 75
20
3.2.3. Gender and disability Advanced
3.5.1. Resources 67 0 50 (75–89)
inclusion
44 50
31 3.3.1. Availabilities of BBB Full
3.4.3. Budget for recovery 50 50
tools (90-100)
50
3.4.2. Accessibility to 58
3.3.2. Use of risk
recovery funds information
3.4.1. Availability of 3.3.3. Building codes and
sources of funding regulations
Key element 3.4 3.3.4. Gender and
Financing disability inclusion
Key element 3.3
Resilient Recovery Project Design
» Efforts have been made to establish national maps exist for tsunamis, flashfloods, landslides,
mechanisms for the collection and management storm surges and volcanic eruptions, and are to
of baseline physical and geographic data. These be reviewed every five years or less on average but
efforts, including the GeoNode, an online platform tend to be updated mainly in the aftermath of ma-
for developing geospatial information systems and jor catastrophic events. There are no multi-hazard
for deploying spatial data and infrastructures, have maps, perceived by the MAFFRD as critical for re-
not been completed or brought the expected out- covery planning, and the hazard maps developed
comes. Without effective data collection and stor- by NEMO are not available to the public or includ-
age protocols Government institutions, including ed in a single repository. There are also no risk in-
the Physical Planning Department, often find that formation-sharing mechanisms in place, although
the data they need exists online, was collected by government agencies can gain access to hazard
external agencies and published in peer reviewed maps by request. At the same time, certain hazard
journals the Government needs to pay for to gain maps have been elaborated and used by agencies
access. different to NEMO. For example, the Department of
» NEMO is responsible for collecting and manag- Forestry developed and uses bush fire maps and
ing hazard and risk data and information as well government stakeholders involved in the crop and
as for the elaboration of hazard maps. Hazard livestock agriculture subsector have developed soil
Results overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
26 maps and calculate erodibility based on slopes, » The MAFFRD does not have a budget line earmarked
which they use as a proxy for landslide vulnerabil- for DRM activities or recovery. Recovery funding for
ity. The veterinary surveillance mechanisms of the the subsectors is tied to PDNA recommendations
MAFFRD has given officers a good knowledge of and projects and centralized at the level of the Min-
risk areas of animal disease and a few years ago istry of Finance and Economic Planning. Whilst this
the Ministry participated in the elaboration of bio- supports a good coordination with donor agencies
logical risk maps, which are stored by the CARIVET at the national level, a permanent allocation for
Secretariat in Guadeloupe. Further, the Fisheries DRM funding and a contingency fund for the MAF-
Department lacks hazard maps. Instead, it utilizes FRD are needed, as the sub-sectors it manages are
reports of vulnerable areas for action. In general, always affected by extreme events. Some of the
the hazard and risk mapping effort has been frag- actors interviewed during the mission conducted
mented and conducted often at a scale that is too for this assessment explained that, during the three
large to address sub sectoral needs. Without work- months of La Soufrière volcanic effusive eruption,
ing and accessible data and information reposito- accessible DRM funding for the sub-sectors would
ries, that enable the structured management of risk have allowed rapid disaster preparedness actions
information, the existence or availability of some and reduced losses, including the loss of pedigree
hazard maps has not necessarily translated into a sheep and goat livestock owned by the govern-
culture of continuous risk-based decision making. ment for breeding and distributing to farmers. The
» The 2021 PDNA was developed through the co- officers in charge of livestock within the MAFFRD
ordination of NEMO and the various sectors and developed a plan for relocating these animals to
sub-sectors. Although the methodology followed a safe housing structure that needed to be built
led to sectoral appropriation of and external fund- and organized all necessary logistics, but funding
ing for the PDNA recommendations and projects, was unavailable for the construction of the hous-
sectoral stakeholders recognize that constraints in ing structure. Water tanks could also have been
baseline data collection limited the reflection of lo- bought to help farmers save their livestock which
cal needs in the PDNA results. One example of this had to be left behind when evacuating in view of the
is the collection of farmer-level data, which was imminent volcano eruption. Unfortunately, funding
conducted with registered farmers, but omitted the for this was also inaccessible. It was through their
relatively large number of farmers who have not yet close collaboration with CARIVET that the public
registered in the MAFFRD system. officers in charge of livestock obtained feed, mo-
» The 2021 PDNA did not collect gender-disaggre- lasses and some water harvesting elements for the
gated data and has no information on disability. rapid response to the emergency.
Although sub sectoral actors attempted to bring » With an annual fiscal cost of disasters estimated
forward gender-disaggregated information for the at 1.4 percent of GDP, the Government of Saint
operationalization of PDNA-related projects, it is Vincent and the Grenadines established a Contin-
necessary to ensure inclusion considerations are gency Fund before the COVID-19 pandemic and the
integrated in the PDNA methodology in the near volcanic eruption. This Fund constitutes an import-
future. ant step for the protection of public finance from
» The application of building codes and the incorpo- major hazard impacts. It is expected that the Con-
ration of the Build Back Better approach after disas- tingency Fund covers disaster fiscal costs up to 0.7
ters is primarily the responsibility of the Ministry of percent of GDP annually, and that the additional
Transport and Works and of financial institutions, cost is covered through earmarked expenditure
where relevant. Therefore, this capacity does not reserves to be included in the annual budget. The
exist within the agencies in charge of the agricul- Fund is capitalized through a 1 percentage point
ture, fisheries and forestry subsectors. raise in the standard VAT and a 1 percentage point
raise in the VAT for tourism-related services as well
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results overview
as by the introduction of a climate resilience hotel » Integrate the BBB approach as a requirement in the 27
levy. However, a clear governance and operational planning and design of national and sectoral strat-
framework has not been established for the Con- egies, plans and budgets, particularly those related
tingency Fund (IMF, 2019). Consequently, there are to recovery.
no clear mechanisms or protocols for the MAFFRD » Compliance with updated building codes should be
and the subsectors to access this Fund. integrated as a requisite for the design and imple-
» The creation of risk transfer and resilience-financ- mentation of development projects and other sec-
ing mechanisms, including insurance, microinsur- toral investments.
ance and concessionary financing tailored to the » Create M&E systems that are complementary to do-
needs of farmers, fishers and other actors associ- nor M&E requirements by upgrading and strength-
ated to agriculture value chains but operating in the ening the tools currently used for this purpose and
informal sector is urgently required. integrating DRM, recovery and resilience indicators.
» Use post-disaster project and investment planning
The assessment identified the following opportunities as the best scenario to generate and use M&E
to strengthen the resources and tools available for re- systems to track the efficiency and effectiveness
covery in SVG agriculture sector: of projects along their entire cycle. The recovery
process from La Soufrière eruption represents a
» The inclusion of disaggregated gender and disabil- perfect opportunity for building capacity on these
ity data collection in the planned National Agricul- aspects, using the lessons learned from the project
tural Census. planning stage and during implementation.
» To use the opportunities presented by new devel-
opment projects, funded by international donors,
to build through technical assistance, national and 4.5 Findings for the inclusion of gender
sectoral capacity to generate, manage and use and disability in recovery processes
hazard and risk information.
» The inclusion of hazard and risk data required by In general, the capacity of government agencies to in-
investment projects in agriculture, fisheries and for- tegrate gender and disability considerations into the
estry, at an appropriate scale and usable formats, design and implementation of recovery projects is in-
in Early Warning Systems and other relevant data, cipient. The needs of women, girls, men, boys and per-
information and knowledge management initia- sons with disabilities have been only partially included
tives currently being planned or under development in the DRM policy and legal framework, as shown by
at the national level. The recovery process from La the RCI of 36 and 38, respectively (figure 14). Addi-
Soufrière eruption represents an important oppor- tionally, the sector’s and subsectors’ agencies lack
tunity to establish and institutionalize risk informa- the expertise required on a permanent basis for main-
tion management processes in SVG. streaming of gender and disability inclusion into the
» To embed elements of the DRM approach – haz- agencies’ operations, including into strategic planning
ards, risk assessments and measures – in all project and project implementation processes (RCI of 38 and
management cycle protocols used in the subsec- 25 respectively). The level of resources and tools avail-
tors. This is an important opportunity, in view of the able for integrating gender considerations into recov-
ongoing recovery process from La Soufrière eruption ery processes was also assessed as incipient (RCI of
» To include subsectoral DRM allocations in the bud- 38), as were existing resources and tools for disability
get construction and planning processes of the inclusion in recovery (RCI of 25).
country and donors.
» To increase the visibility of recovery financing op- A number of policies, legal frameworks, strategies
tions for the sector and build requisite capacity on and plans for DRM governance, on the national level,
access protocols and criteria. mention gender equality and the social inclusion of
Results overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
28 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
36 Low or
absent
20 (0-24)
38 38
Basic or
Recovery Capacity Index
incipent
2. Competencies (25-49)
3. Resources
(operational capacity)
and Tools
and Skills Moderate
(50–74)
b. Disability 1. Governance
Advanced
inclusion 100
(75–89)
80
Full
60 (90-100)
40 38
20
0
25 25
2. Competencies
3. Resources (operational capacity)
and Tools and Skills
persons with disability and the indigenous groups as tion Technology Strategy and Action Plan (2010–
goals, however there are no specific actions, budget, 2015), and the National Disaster Plan (2005).
institutional capacity, or M&E for implementation. » Gender agencies, women’s networks and youth
groups are involved in DRM activities, and actively
Several positive achievements in gender and disability participated in the evacuation and recovery efforts
inclusion are noted below: during the recent La Soufrière volcanic eruptions.
» Gender and disability information and analysis
» Since the year 2000, the government has adopt- have been collected by international agencies as
ed various policies and plans addressing gender part of recent PDNA processes, and gender con-
equality issues, women and girls’ empowerment, siderations have been repeatedly integrated in the
and GBV, including the National Adaptation Plan PDNA.
(2019), the Revised National Biodiversity Strategy » The government is committed to disability-inclu-
and Action Plan (2015–2020), the National Com- sive DRM and has developed policies and national
prehensive Disaster Management (CDM) Policy standards that support accessibility of information
(2014), the National Information and Communica- and public infrastructure for persons with disabil-
ities.
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Results overview
FIGURE 15 . 29
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 Low or
Framework absent
100 (0–24)
3.5. Project
implementation 1.2. Strategies and Plans
80 Basic or
Recovery Capacity Index
incipient
60 (25–49)
1.3. Institutions and
3.4. Financing 40 38 Coordination Moderate
31 (50–74)
25 20
38
25
0
31 38 Advanced
3.3. Resilient recovery 2.1. Workforce
project design (75–89)
50 25 25 45
Full
(90-100)
3.2. PDNA and Project 2.2. Capacity (knowledge
portfolio planning and skills)
3.1. Natural-hazard data 2.3. Human Resources,
and risk information Profile suitability Component 2:
Competencies
» There have emerged active organizations for per- Recommended ways forward include:
sons with disabilities with a trusted presence in the
communities and a direct working relationship with » Recruit dedicated staff and adjusting HR processes
the government. to build and retain in-house capacity on gender and
disability inclusion. At present, minimum knowl-
However, as outlined above, there are major short- edge of these issues is not included as requisite in
comings, including that currently: public recruitment processes.
» Integrate gender and disability inclusion in the en-
» A comprehensive gender policy and action plan abling policy and legal framework for recovery.
and a gender perspective in many DRM national » Review data needs in greater depth to inform ef-
policies and programmatic plans are still lacked. forts to build sustainable capacity for data col-
» Gender and needs are not consistently integrated in lection and analysis to allow meaningful under-
the design of projects in the sector and subsectors. standing and tracking of progress on gender and
» Gender integration takes place mainly as a response disability.
to funding opportunities and donor requirements.
» The basic needs of persons with disabilities are
only partly integrated in project design and under
specific project requirements, with the correspond-
ing activities undertaken by expert international
consultants, without developing local capacity.
Results overview SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
05
30
Recommendations
Photo: thierry64 | istock.com
The following points summarize the recommenda- Physical investments: 31
tions of this assessment. They are made with the ob-
jective of building and strengthening the capacity of a) Infrastructure
SVG’s agriculture sector, inclusive of the fisheries and » Develop risk reduction interventions to help farm
forestry subsectors, to prepare for the implementation and agriculture facility owners, fishers and forest
of resilient and inclusive recovery projects, well before users climate-proof and protect key assets, includ-
disasters strike. These recommendations respond to ing machinery, gear and other equipment, from ex-
the capacity needs for recovery identified in this as- treme weather events.
sessment, existing opportunities and recommenda-
tions made by the consulted stakeholders, as well as b) Equipment, systems and financial resources:
by sectoral experts, and gender and disability inclusion » Request donor support to fully develop a consoli-
specialists. The complete set of recommendations, dated national data – including risk data – platform
validated by national and sectoral stakeholders during and information knowledge management system,
a workshop conducted in Bridgetown on the 6 of Octo- as well as mechanisms to ensure access to the
ber 2022 are detailed in Annex 2. These recommenda- system from rural or remote areas.
tions principally target central government ministries, > Invest in key data collection efforts, including
the MAFFRD, NEMO, CDEMA, and donor agencies in- agricultural censuses and periodic household
volved in DRM and resilience building processes in the surveys to develop a baseline that enables rapid
country. damage assessment in the event of hazard im-
pacts and supports the design and targeting of
recovery operations.
Policy and strategic recommendations: » Assess SVG’s hydro-meteorological infrastructure
and elaborate an investment plan for its update,
» Strengthen the enabling national and sectoral acquisition of modern forecasting and climate ser-
policy and regulatory environment for recovery vices delivery technologies, and strengthening of
through the completion of the National Disaster early warning communication systems to ensure
Management Policy, Strategy and Action Plan and they reach the exposed and most vulnerable com-
the Comprehensive Disaster Management Coun- munities.
try Work Program (2022-2026); the review of the » Develop and finance a plan for software updating
National DRM legislation – including the National and hardware modernization and maintenance at
Emergency Act, 2006 – and subsidiary legislations; the MAFFRD.
the updating of building codes, guidelines and en- » Establish clear mechanisms for direct access to
forcement regulations to enable Build Back Better the existing Contingency Fund for the rapid recov-
in sectoral and sub sectoral recovery investments; ery of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry subsec-
the finalization of the working draft of SVG’s Agri- tors when affected by disasters.
culture, Forestry and Fisheries Concise Multi-haz- > Ensure legislation and procedures enable the
ard Disaster Management Plan and the develop- rapid reallocation of annual budgets to support
ment of a Strategic Plan for Agriculture, Fisheries recovery efforts in the aftermath of both, major
and Forestry, to guide development and recovery disasters and chronic small events which add
activities in the coming years, beyond the PDNA. burden to smallholder farmers overtime.
The elaboration and review of these documents » Include in the MAFFRD’s budget an annual contin-
should ensure the integration of gender and disabil- gent recovery allocation and an allocation to sup-
ity considerations, as well as operative aspects of port and incentivize disaster prevention measures.
recovery beyond the earliest recovery phase.
Recommendations SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
32 » Create new and enhance access to existing fi- » Build and sustain the required knowledge and skills 3
nancial mechanisms for resilience and recovery, for the implementation of resilient and inclusive
including insurance and microinsurance to cover recovery projects in the MAFFRD and its subsec-
farmers, fishers and other actors associated to ag- tors through the recruitment of specialized staff in
riculture, including those operating in the informal areas specific to DRM and project management;
sector the institutionalization of training in DRM, disaster
cycle management, recovery and gender analysis
and integration; establishing collaboration with ac-
Capacity strengthening: ademic institutions for the delivery of programs on
project design and management, gender and DRM,
» Raise awareness, at the strategic and operational tailored to the needs of the subsectors; and the im-
levels, of the added value of acquiring and sustain- provement of public recruitment protocols, among
ing DRM and inclusive recovery capacity for the other measures.
sector and subsector’s development. This can be
achieved through well-designed awareness-raising
campaigns and events for public officers.
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Recommendations
01
06
32 33
Conclusion
Introduction
RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Photo: Demetrius Theune | istock.com
34 The analyses conducted in this assessment determined clear DRM and recovery policies and established roles
that the capacity of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ and responsibilities, there is a need for better integra-
agriculture sector to plan, design and execute resilient tion of recovery into national development policy and
and inclusive recovery projects in a timely, efficient, and strategy, regular updates of DRM policies and legisla-
effective manner as moderate, with a sector-level RCI tion, coordination between subsectors, and implemen-
of 52. The implementation of recovery projects is en- tation of agriculture and fisheries risk management
abled, to a certain extent, by a moderate integration of plans. Strengthening the DRM framework and aligning
recovery considerations into national and sectoral gov- the needs of all subsectors can enhance the capacity
ernance frameworks (RCI of 51), and by the resources for resilient recovery in SVG.
and tools currently available for recovery (RCI of 57).
However, resilient recovery is constrained by weakness-
es in the Competencies component, particularly, in the Competencies
knowledge and skills available within the sector for plan-
ning and implementing recovery projects (RCI of 47). Recovery considerations are not adequately integrat-
ed into national development policies and strategies.
Although DRM and recovery policies are guided by
Governance national disaster plans and documents, the concept
of recovery and better preparation for recovery from
DRM and recovery policy in Saint Vincent and the Gren- disasters is not included in national development pol-
adines (SVG) are guided by the National Disaster Plan icies and strategies. This lack of integration may hin-
and the Disaster Risk Reduction Country Document, der effective recovery efforts after disasters. The DRM
but the concept of recovery and better preparation for governance structure in SVG tends to be centralized,
recovery has not been included in national development despite established roles and responsibilities outlined
policy and strategy. The roles and responsibilities for in the National Emergency and Disaster Management
DRM in SVG are established by the National Emergency Act. This may result in limited coordination and opera-
and Disaster Management Act, 2006, with the National tionalization of DRM efforts at the district and sectoral
Emergency Management Organisation (NEMO) as the levels, which could impact the efficiency and effective-
central agency for coordinating disaster management. ness of recovery actions. The absence of institution-
However, DRM tends to be centralized in operational- alized mechanisms for regular updating of national
ization despite the established national structure. The policies and legislation, budget constraints, and delays
National Disaster Management Plan and the Act itself in policy formulation and approval, have hindered the
have not been revised in decades due to budget con- revision and updating of the National Disaster Manage-
straints and the absence of institutionalized mecha- ment Plan and Policy in SVG. This may result in outdat-
nisms for regular policy updates. The formulation and ed plans and policies that may not fully address current
approval of a National Disaster Management Policy and emerging disaster risks, including recovery consid-
has also been lagging. There are no official national erations. There is a need for capacity building in DRM
policies or strategies for agriculture or forestry in SVG, and recovery within government agencies, particularly
although the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, in the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sectors. Cur-
and Rural Development (MAFFRD) follows recommen- rently, public recruitment protocols and criteria do not
dations from the 2021 PDNA and the CARICOM 25 by prioritize DRM or gender integration knowledge, which
25 Program. However, there is a need for coordination may limit the development of recovery competencies
between subsectors to avoid policy fragmentation. The among personnel. There is also a need for closer collab-
MAFFRD elaborated an Agriculture Risk Management oration between different ministries and departments
Plan in 2016 with technical support from FAO, but it to ensure continuous training and sensitization oppor-
was not adopted or implemented, and a new plan is tunities, particularly on gender and disability inclusion.
currently being finalized. In conclusion, while SVG has Low availability of professionals or technical persons
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Conclusion
trained in forestry in SVG is a concern, as some of the access to hazard maps by request. This has resulted 35
current staff in the Department of Forestry will soon in a lack of a culture of continuous risk-based decision
retire. This may result in a skills gap and hinder effec- making. The 2021 PDNA was developed with coordi-
tive forestry management and recovery efforts in the nation from NEMO and various sectors and subsec-
future. Capacity building on the BBB approach is need- tors, but constraints in baseline data collection have
ed for staff of the Ministry of Transport and Works limited the reflection of local needs in the PDNA re-
and contractors, as well as updating building codes sults. Gender-disaggregated data and information on
and norms to integrate BBB considerations. Currently, disability were not collected, and there is a need to in-
there is a lack of training opportunities and an agenda tegrate inclusion considerations in the PDNA method-
for updating building codes and norms, which may af- ology in the future. The application of building codes
fect the resilience of infrastructure projects to future and the incorporation of the BBB approach after disas-
disasters. The agriculture, fisheries, and forestry sub- ters are primarily the responsibility of other ministries
sectors need more training in PDNA elaboration and and financial institutions, which results in a lack of
active participation in the prioritization of recovery capacity within the agriculture, fisheries, and forestry
projects to ensure their needs are reflected and that subsectors. The MAFFRD does not have a budget line
none of the subsectors are left behind in the recovery earmarked for DRM activities or recovery, and recov-
process. In conclusion, there is a need for improved ery funding for the subsectors is tied to PDNA recom-
integration of recovery considerations into national mendations and projects, centralized at the Ministry
policies and strategies, enhanced coordination and of Finance and Economic Planning. This has resulted
capacity building in DRM and recovery efforts at dif- in a need for a permanent allocation of DRM funding
ferent levels, and closer collaboration among relevant and a contingency fund for the MAFFRD, as the sub-
ministries and departments. Addressing these issues sectors it manages are always affected by extreme
can help strengthen the resilience of SVG’s agriculture, events. Although the Government of Saint Vincent and
fisheries, and forestry sectors, and ensure a more ef- the Grenadines has established a Contingency Fund,
fective and inclusive recovery process after disasters. there is a lack of clear governance and operational
framework for the fund, resulting in a lack of mecha-
nisms or protocols for its effective utilization. In sum-
Resources and tools mary, the findings highlight the need for improved data
collection and storage protocols, updated hazard and
The findings suggest that efforts to establish nation- risk mapping efforts, integration of inclusion consid-
al mechanisms for the collection and management of erations in PDNA methodology, capacity building for
baseline physical and geographic data, such as the Ge- building codes and BBB approach, dedicated budget
oNode platform, have not been completed or brought for DRM activities and recovery, and clear governance
to the expected outcomes. This lack of effective data and operational framework for the Contingency Fund.
collection and storage protocols has resulted in gov- Addressing these issues can help enhance disaster
ernment institutions, including the Physical Planning risk management and resilience in SVG.
Department, often having to rely on data collected by
external agencies and published in peer-reviewed jour- This assessment calls for investments in resilient in-
nals that require payment for access. Furthermore, the frastructure to reduce disaster risks in Saint Vincent
hazard and risk mapping effort has been fragmented and the Grenadines’ agriculture sector in the face of in-
and conducted at a scale that is often too large to ad- creasingly frequent extreme events and the impacts of
dress subsectoral needs. Hazard maps exist for var- climate change, including rising sea levels. It is expect-
ious hazards, but they are not regularly updated and ed that the results and recommendations made in this
are not available to the public or included in a single report will be taken into consideration and implemented
repository. Risk information-sharing mechanisms are by national and international agencies supporting Saint
also lacking, although government agencies can gain Vincent and the Grenadines’ efforts to build resilience.
Conclusion SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
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statement-united-nations-special-rapporteur-da- World Bank. (2022). Forest area (% of land area) - St.
vid-r-boyd-conclusion-his-mission Vincent and the Grenadines. Online resource avail-
United Nations Development Programme. (2020). able at: https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/
Human and Economic Assessment of Impact AG.LND.FRST.ZS?locations=VC
(HEAT) Report - Saint Vincent and the Grena- World Bank. (2010). Disaster Risk Management in
dines. Online resource available at: https://www. Latin America and the Caribbean Region: GFDRR
undp.org/barbados/publications/human-and-eco- Country Notes. St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
nomic-assessment-impact-heat-report-saint-vin- Online resource available at: https://www.gfdrr.
cent-and-grenadines org/en/publication/country-note-saint-vincent-
and-grenadines
References SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Annex 1.
38
Specific recommendations to strengthen the capacity of
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines’ agriculture, forestry and
fisheries for resilient and inclusive recovery
GOVERNANCE: Recommendations and potential actions to strengthen the policy and regulatory framework
for gender-inclusive and climate-resilient recovery
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 strengthen the national policy, legal, strategic and planning framework for
environment for recovery comprehensive disaster management and resilient recovery.
» Review and update the National Disaster Management Legislation as well as subsidiary
legislations and regulations.
» Complete and approve the National Disaster Management Policy, through a process
that establishes a steering committee with representation of all sectors.
» Develop a National Disaster Management Strategy and a long-term Action Plan.
» Finalize the Country Work Program 2022-2026.
» Integrate inclusive and climate resilient recovery considerations in the next National
Economic and Social Development Plan, and ensure
» Update building codes, guidelines and their regulatory framework to ensure compliance
and enable Build-Back-Better in sectoral recovery investments
Complete and strengthen the sectoral policy, legal, strategic and planning framework for
recovery
» Finalize the working draft of SVG’s Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries Concise Multi-
hazard Disaster Management Plan ensuring it includes considerations for recovery
beyond the earliest recovery phase, as well as gender and disability considerations. In
addition to the hazards already included in this document, provisions should be made
for biological and chemical hazards.
» Develop a Strategic Plan for Agriculture, fisheries and forestry to guide development
and recovery activities in the coming years, beyond the PDNA, improve coordination
and avoid duplication.
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 1
COMPETENCIES: Recommendations and potential actions to build the required competencies (knowledge 39
and skills) required for resilient and inclusive recovery
Recommendations Actions
Raise awareness, at the » Integrate basic gender and disaster management (including recovery) requirements in
strategic and operational the general recruitment protocols of the Service Commission.
levels, of the added value » NEMO, the Service Commissions Department and other relevant agencies collaborate
of creating and sustaining in the creation of yearly disaster awareness workshops for agriculture, fisheries and
DRM and recovery forestry officers.
capacity for the sector’s » Develop awareness-raising campaigns that are gender- and disability-informed,
development including events and materials to highlight the risks associated with climate change
for farmers, fishers and forest users and provide recommendations for impact
reduction. To ensure inclusion, the campaigns should be developed by the Ministry in
collaboration with partner agencies (including NEMO) and in consultation/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. Actively involve
people with disabilities or their representatives in these events.
Build and sustain the » With the support of the Service Comission, and other national agencies, institutionalize
required knowledge and implement training of sectoral staff in DRM, disaster cycle management and
and skills for the recovery and gender analysis and integration, to ensure requisite knowledge and skills
implementation of gender- are developed and sustained.
responsive and disability- » Recruit skilled staff specialized in areas specific to DRM, specifically, disaster cycle
inclusive climate-resilient 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
sector can systematically and sustainably cover the limitations in knowledge and skills that
affect the planning and execution of recovery projects by the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry, and Labour. 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, to cover urgent capacity gaps
through direct technical assistance (secondment) to the Ministry of Agriculture,
Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry, and Labour and NEMO, 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 Ministry and NEMO to effectively
facilitate the building of DRM capacity across the sector’s stakeholders.
» Encourage private sector entreprises to strengthen their DRM capacity, for example
through learning and applying BBB approaches, and to enable resilient and inclusive
recovery through actions such as development of insurance and microinsurance
programs suitable to the country’s agricultural, forestry and fisheries context.
» 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, fisheries and forestry stakeholders.
Annex 1 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
40
Recommendations Actions
Build and sustain the » Train Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry, and
required knowledge Labour staff in requisite tasks for the design, implementation and monitoring of
and skills for the resilient recovery projects. This includes training in:
implementation of gender- > Data collection, and design of recovery projects based on PDNAs recommendations.
responsive and disability- > Economic assessment of disaster-related damages and losses.
inclusive climate-resilient > GIS and remote sensing.
recovery projects in the > Hazard mapping.
sector (cont.) > Hazard and risk data and information use
> Disaster prevention, preparedness, and response.
> BBB approaches, building codes, and other resilience norms.
> Disability inclusion
> Gender analysis and integration.
> Project Cycle Management (including M&E).
> DRM and recovery communication and awareness raising skills.
» Articulate regional and international existing capacity building opportunities with
sectoral needs by providing access to academic programs for SVG professionals in
areas related to DRM, recovery (e.g. state-of-the-art engineering techniques for resilient
construction and other investments).
» Tailor national academic and vocational programs and other training opportunities
to facilitate recovery in agriculture, fisheries and forestry. This may include creating
and tailoring BBB trainings for local contractors working in agriculture, fisheries and
forestry.
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 generation, » Invest in key data collection efforts, including agricultural censuses and periodic
management and use of household surveys to develop a baseline that enables rapid damage assessment in the
recovery-relevant data event of hazard impacts and supports the design and targeting of recovery operations.
As a first step, update agriculture, fisheries and forestry baseline data (including
stakeholder registration data), risk information and data, and information management
protocols.
» Develop natural and risk information tools to be used to guide project development in
agriculture, fisheries and forestry.
» Ensure hazard and risk maps created or updated by NEMO, Physical Planning, and
partner organizations and agencies are available and accessible to sectoral and
subsectoral stakeholders.
» Develop a consolidated national data (including risk data) platform and information
knowledge management system that is accessible by stakeholders including in rural
and remote areas.
» Assess SVG’s hydro-meteorological infrastructure and elaborate an investment
plan for its update, acquisition of modern forecasting and climate services delivery
technologies.
» Strengthening of early warning communication systems to ensure they reach the
exposed and most vulnerable communities.
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 1
41
Recommendations Actions
Invest in protecting » Develop risk reduction interventions to help farm and agriculture facility owners, fishers
sectoral production and and forest users climate-proof and protect key assets ( including machinery, gear and
infrastructure from shocks other equipment) from hazard impacts.
Ensure the necessary » Develop and finance a plan for software updating and hardware modernization and
equipment and tools are maintenance at the MAFFRD.
available for recovery
project management
Strengthen sectoral » Simplify direct access to the existing Contingency Fund for the rapid recovery of the
budgets for DRM and agriculture, fisheries and forestry subsectors when affected by disasters.
recovery » Include in the MAFFRD’s budget an annual 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
fisherfolk, forest users and » Create a database of international recovery funding opportunities for the agriculture,
SMEs fisheries and forestry sub sectors.
Annex 1 SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
42
Annex 2.
Coastal inundation scenario maps for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
a. Areas affected by sea level rise in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines by 2100 under a high climate change scenario (RCP
8.5)
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR
Annex 2
b. Coastal flooding scenarios for a 100-year return period and for a high-level climate change scenario (RCP 8.5) by
2100
Annex 2
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43
Annex 3.
44
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 for (risk management ex ante) and Recovery (disaster management ex post)
recovery 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
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COMPONENT 1: GOVERNANCE
Key elements Sub elements Questions
1.1 Policies and 13 Does the sector participate in the elaboration of DRM or recovery
Legal Framework policies and legal framework?
(cont.)
14 Do all, the private sector, academia, NGOs, local communities, and
parastatal organizations, participate in the elaboration of DRM policies
or legal frameworks?
15 Do the DRM policies and legal frameworks require sectoral ministries to
formulate and implement sectoral resilient recovery plans?
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.
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46
COMPONENT 1: GOVERNANCE
Key elements Sub elements Questions
1.2 Strategies and 1.2.1 Strategies 24 Does the sector have a recovery strategy?
Plans 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?
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?
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COMPONENT 1: GOVERNANCE
Key elements Sub elements Questions
1.3 Institutions 1.3.3 Building 38 Are there, within the legal framework of the country, stakeholders who
and Coordination codes and are responsible, accountable, and liable for assuring compliance with
(cont.) 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)?
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 implementing
sector 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?
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COMPONENT 2: COMPETENCIES
Key elements Sub elements Questions
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.
2.2.3 Proven 57 Do technical persons in the sector have the capacity to translate PDNA
capacity results into actionable projects?
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)?
SECTORAL RECOVERY CAPACITY ASSESSMENT REPORT FOR SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR Annex 3
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COMPONENT 2: COMPETENCIES
Key elements Sub elements Questions
2.3 Human 2.3.1 Human 61 Is there an HR recruitment plan that includes recovery activities?
Resources (HR), resources
Profile Suitability (HR), profile 62 Does the sectoral hiring process follow the recruitment plan?
suitability
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 3.1.1 Data 65 Are there mechanisms in place for the collection and management of
hazard Data collection natural hazard data and risk information?
and Risk and
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 68 Does the sector use multihazard risk maps?
of risk
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?
3.2 PDNA and 3.2.1 PDNA 72 Is there a PDNA including specific methodologies and plans for recovery in
Project Portfolio mechanisms 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?
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COMPONENT 3: RESOURCES AND TOOLS
Key elements Sub elements Questions
3.2 PDNA and 3.2.2 76 Have the results of the PDNA been used for recovery purposes and
Project Portfolio Planning development across institutions and sectors?
Planning (cont.) of recovery
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
and disability disability disaggregated data?
inclusion
Recommendations: What would you recommend to improve PDNA and Project portfolio planning?
3.3 Resilient 3.3.1 80 Does the sector have the necessary tools (e.g., best practice, software,
Recovery Availability check lists, cost benefit analysis for resilience measures available to ensure
Project Design of BBB tools project designs incorporate the Build Back Better approach?
3.3.2 Use 81 Do the sectors use risk information to design resilient recovery projects?
of risk
information 82 Is risk information available and accessible, at the required resolution and
geographic coverage for sectoral project planning and implementation?
3.3.3 83 Are building codes and land use planning guidelines integrated into project
Building design?
codes and
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?
3.4 Financing 3.4.1 86 Are there identified and accessible funding sources for recovery
Availability interventions in the sector (e.g., National MDB, bilateral, others)?
of funding
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?
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COMPONENT 3: RESOURCES AND TOOLS
Key elements Sub elements Questions
3.4 Financing 3.4.2 Access 89 Is it easy to access to recovery funding?
(cont.) to 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 93 Does the sector’s budget have a line item earmarked for recovery?
for 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 95 Does the sector have an inventory of qualified implementing contractors
Implementation Resources 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 project
management management tools?
99 In general, does the expenditures of project activities in the sector follow the
original planning?
3.5.3 100 Do the construction materials used in recovery projects meet accreditation
Building standards (e.g., strength, testing, quality)?
codes
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?
3.5.4 M&E at 103 Does the sector have in place and actively use a monitoring and evaluation
project level (M&E) system for projects?
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 SAINT VINCENT AND THE GRENADINES’ AGRICULTURE SECTOR