Bonaire

Island Overview

The development of the agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors on Bonaire is crucial for enhancing local food production and ensuring food security. Currently, these sectors are small in scale and capacity, contributing less than 1% to the island’s economy. Many farmers and fishermen hold full-time jobs or are retired, with only a few active full-time farmers and around 20 full-time fishermen. As a result, local production of fruits and vegetables meets only a small portion of local demand. Additionally, livestock farmers primarily provide goat and sheep meat, while the fisheries sector offers local fish, particularly during specific months of the year. At present, Bonaire is self-sufficient only in the production of chicken eggs. However, in recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in interest and commitment to growing and strengthening the primary sectors. Significant efforts are underway to encourage and support local farmers and fishermen, help establish viable businesses, and conduct applied research to improve farming methods and introduce new techniques.

Key Stats & Insights

Agricultural land accounts for approximately 20% of Bonaire’s total surface area.
The majority of farmers on Bonaire either hold full-time jobs elsewhere or are retired, with only a few operating as full-time farmers.
Currently, around 20 semi-commercial fishermen and 100 amateur fishermen are active on the island.

3 Key Commodities

Fish

Fishing has been a traditional livelihood on Bonaire for centuries, with both pelagic and reef fish being caught. However, due to increasing pressure on fish stocks, improvements are needed in areas such as regulations, facilities, and public awareness.

Goat Meat

Many farmers traditionally raise goats for meat production. Effective management of goat herds is crucial for the success of goat farming and for preventing issues related to free-roaming goats.

Chicken Eggs

Bonaire is currently self-sufficient in chicken egg production, with Punta Blanku Farms N.V. being the primary producer on the island.

Local Programs

PHITO

The EU PHITO project is developing a mobile application (app) designed to support farmers. The app aims to provide valuable information and guidance on sustainable farming practices while facilitating connections between farmers and key stakeholders. Bonaire, Aruba, and several other countries, including Spain and Portugal, are participating in this initiative.

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BonCirc

The BonCirc project, led by Wageningen University and Research, focuses on developing circular solutions for organic waste streams and Sargassum on Bonaire. This includes creating compost and soil enhancers for agricultural use. In this initiative, Wageningen University has partnered with several local stakeholders, including LVV.

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Food Resilient Futures

The Food Resilient Futures research project aims to promote water-smart and nature-inclusive food resilience on the BES islands, driven by local participation. A living-lab approach is used, where local stakeholders and youth collaborate to select and implement experiments through a participatory and co-creative envisioning process.

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Visserijonderzoek

LVV and Wageningen Marine Research (WMR) are conducting research on Bonaire’s fisheries sector to gain deeper insights into fish stocks and monitor their trends over time. The study involves documenting and recording the catches made by local fishermen.

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Voedsel Voor De Voedselbank

In the “Voedsel voor de Voedselbank” project, LVV is cultivating local vegetables and fruits (such as eggplant, okra, green beans, pumpkin, papaya, watermelon, and more) on their land and supplying this fresh produce to two food banks on the island.

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Versterking Groen Onderwijs op Bonaire

The goal of this project was to create educational materials, programs, workshops, and training sessions to strengthen green education on Bonaire. Educational programs were designed for various levels, and teachers were trained and supported in utilizing the materials and programs. The project was implemented by a consortium consisting of Aeres Hogeschool, Stichting Mangazina di Rei, and Bonaire Agri & Aqua Business BV (BAAB).

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Professionele Geitenhouderij

The goal of this LVV project is to professionalize animal husbandry on Bonaire. It includes educating farmers about the identification and registration system for goats and sheep through workshops and meetings.

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Greenhouses in de Wijken

The goal of this project is to encourage individuals of all ages, including children and seniors, to grow their own food and incorporate more fruits and vegetables into their diets. With the guidance of LVV, greenhouses were established at various locations.