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DCALFA Press Release: Second DCALFA Conference on Bonaire Unites Dutch Caribbean Islands for Sustainable Food Security

From May 19 to 23, 2025, Bonaire hosted the second annual conference of the Dutch Caribbean Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Alliance (DCALFA), bringing together around 55 participants from the public and private primary sectors of Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, Saba, Sint Eustatius, and Sint Maarten. For the first time a farmer or livestockholder, a fisher, and a youth representative for each island attended the conference sponsored by the Dutch Ministries of Economic Affairs (EZ) and Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature (LVVN). The event was organized by the Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries unit (LVV) of the Public Entity Bonaire and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). The conference served as a crucial platform for these sister islands to deepen collaboration and advance sustainable food systems tailored to their unique cultural and geographic realities.

United in Purpose: Food Security as a National and Regional Priority
The conference reflected a shared understanding that food security is not only essential for the well-being of communities but also as a matter of economic resilience. Furthermore, the event underscored the urgency of elevating food security to a national security priority, especially in light of recent global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic, the conflict in Ukraine, and increasing US tariffs, all of which have exposed the vulnerabilities of relying heavily on food imports.
“Food security must become national security priority number one in the Dutch Caribbean, especially in these times,” emphasized several delegates, calling for stronger political commitment to safeguarding local food production.

“It’s not about me, it’s about us — working together for the betterment of our islands,” said a youth representative from Sint Maarten.

This sentiment resonated throughout the event, with unity emerging as a core value. One participant summarized DCALFA’s spirit as “unity. We all face the same challenges — one hand washes the other.” The alliance, formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding signed in June 2023, continues to foster improved communication, cooperation, and knowledge sharing across the Dutch Caribbean’s agriculture, livestock, and fisheries sectors.

Strengthening Ties: DCALFA and Economic Development
Building on past experiences, the Dutch Caribbean islands recognize the potential of agriculture, livestock, and fisheries as promising sectors for sustainable development. These areas are increasingly seen as future economic pillars for the region. While each island remains in an early stage of sector development, there is a strong shared interest in deepening collaboration. Through DCALFA, the islands are committed to working more closely together, combining efforts to strengthen food security, support local economies, and build resilient, sustainable systems tailored to their unique contexts.
This year’s conference also marked a significant step forward, as we were pleased to officially welcome the economic departments into the DCALFA family—further strengthening the alliance’s foundation and potential for impact.

Embracing Local Identity and Regional Cooperation
A recurring theme was the need for policies and strategies that respect the distinct cultural and geographic characteristics of each island. “Policies often treat us as scaled-down versions of the Netherlands, but we are different culturally and geographically, and that should be considered,” participants stressed.
The importance of regional ties beyond the Dutch Caribbean was also highlighted. “Nearby countries like St. Lucia and Colombia share similar farming cultures and collaborate well with our
islands. We need to build better connections with these neighbors,” noted conference speakers,
emphasizing opportunities for cross-border knowledge exchange and economic partnerships.

Dynamic Program: From Website Launch to Field Visits
Over five days, attendees engaged in a variety of activities designed to facilitate practical learning and collaboration. The conference kicked off with an official opening ceremony featuring speeches from Bonaire’s Government Commissioner John Soliano, Deputy Anjelica Cicilia, DCALFA President Nathalie Maduro (Aruba), and Vice President Shervin Frederick (Sint Maarten), all underscoring the critical importance of regional cooperation.

Throughout the week, participants explored pioneering projects and initiatives, and the newly launched DCALFA website (www.dcalfa.com) was introduced as a hub for information and expertise sharing. Research presentations provided insights into the current status of data gathering and sharing as well as the fisheries sector, informing strategies for sustainable management.

A key highlight was the field visits on May 20, where delegates experienced firsthand the vibrant local agricultural and fisheries landscape. They toured farms such as Kunuku Copacabana and Punta Blanku, visited the Daily Catch Fisherman’s Market, explored the Tera Barra native garden, and connected with staff from the Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries (LVV) unit and the Nature Cooking School. Supported by RVO, the local fishermen’s association, Piskabon, also organized a special boat tour for fellow fishermen from the Dutch Caribbean to observe their newly installed Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs) firsthand. These visits offered valuable hands-on learning and strengthened bonds among those active in the primary sectors.

Policy Dialogue and Forward-Looking Vision
On May 22, a panel discussion brought together island leaders and Dutch representatives, including Aruba’s Minister Wever, Bonaire’s Deputy Cicilia, and Hamza Kacha from the Ministry of Economic Affairs. The panel focused on shaping a coherent regional policy framework for food security — a structure deemed crucial for the Dutch Caribbean’s future.
The discussion also featured direct input from fishers, farmers/ livestock holders, and youth, who shared their day-to-day challenges and hopes. The need for streamlined inter-ministerial collaboration was emphasized to reduce bureaucratic delays in permits, infrastructure, energy, and customs — obstacles that have long hindered agriculture and fisheries compared to more lucrative sectors such as tourism.

Looking Ahead: Strengthening Cooperation and Innovation
The closing session set the stage for continuing this vital collaboration, having the present dignitaries sign the DCALFA roadmap 2025-2035, announcing plans to renew and extend the DCALFA Memorandum of Understanding in 2026, with Sint Maarten slated to host the next conference. The event also featured presentations of local initiatives such as the LVV Open Day on May 24, showcasing community engagement and innovation.

DCALFA President Nathalie Maduro reflected on the conference’s significance:
“We look forward to the next steps in our shared journey toward a more sustainable food system for the Dutch Caribbean. This conference on Bonaire was not only a reflection on the progress we’ve made but also a glimpse of what we can achieve together.” The conference ended with the planting of 6 trees on the LVV terrain, one tree per member island, as a symbolic commitment to growth and sustainability.