A Dominican farmer has earned international recognition for her work in agriculture. Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste has been named among the Food and Agriculture Organization’s 100 Women Heroes, a distinction that honours women whose efforts have made a lasting impact on food production and rural life.
The FAO’s list celebrates women from across the globe who have shown leadership in farming, food security and sustainable agriculture. Carbon-Jno Baptiste’s inclusion places Dominica among the countries whose rural women are being recognised for their contribution to feeding their communities and strengthening local food systems.
Her work reflects the broader role of women in Dominican agriculture, where farming families have long sustained the island’s food supply and its export trade. The recognition comes at a time when the sector is being encouraged to expand production and reduce reliance on imported food, a priority for the Government of Dominica and regional bodies such as the OECS and CARICOM.
Carbon-Jno Baptiste’s achievement has been welcomed as a source of pride for the Nature Isle, highlighting the dedication of farmers who work the land from the hills of the interior to the coastal plains. Her name now joins those of other women worldwide whose stories the FAO has chosen to tell as examples of resilience and commitment.
The FAO’s 100 Women Heroes initiative is part of the organisation’s broader effort to spotlight the essential role women play in agriculture, even as they often face greater challenges than men in accessing land, credit and training. By naming Carbon-Jno Baptiste, the FAO has drawn attention to the quiet but vital work of women farmers in the Caribbean and beyond.
For Dominica, the honour underscores the importance of agriculture to the island’s economy and identity. Farming remains a cornerstone of life in many parishes, from the banana and plantain fields to the growing cocoa and coffee sectors, and women are central to that activity. Recognition such as this helps raise the profile of the sector and encourages younger Dominicans to see farming as a viable and respected livelihood.
Carbon-Jno Baptiste’s recognition also arrives as Dominica continues to pursue agricultural development as part of its economic resilience strategy. The Government has promoted food security and local production as key goals, particularly in the wake of past hurricanes that disrupted imports and damaged crops. Honours like this one reinforce the message that the island’s farmers are not only feeding the nation but also earning international acclaim.
The FAO’s list is expected to inspire further discussion about the support needed for women in agriculture, including access to land, financing and modern farming techniques. For now, Dominica can celebrate one of its own being counted among the world’s leading women in the field.
