Suriname, along with the broader CARICOM region, faces numerous challenges in meeting international SPS standards in the horticulture sector. While agriculture contributes substantially to the country's GDP, the export of agri-food products has declined due to persistent food safety culture issues resulting in frequent non-compliance with food safety standards, particularly in relation to pesticide residues exceeding MRL limits. Such non-compliances have resulted in export rejections, mainly in vegetables such as eggplant, okra, and peppers.
This PPG aims to evaluate the feasibility of leveraging AI to foster a strong and sustainable food safety culture throughout the horticultural value chain. If shown to be a promising approach, the PPG will lay the groundwork for a project proposal to pilot the approach in the region to enhance SPS compliance, reduce export rejections, and improve trade competitiveness.