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Towards Sustainable Food Systems on Terrestrial and Marine Ecosystems in Aruba
Full text linkIntegrative Executive Summary
This consultancy report provides Santa Rosa, the Department of Agriculture, Husbandry and Fisheries of Aruba, with evidence-based recommendations to improve the productivity and sustainability of the primary sector. The sector that extracts or harvests products from the Earth, including activities such as agriculture, animal husbandry, and aquaculture. Santa Rosa plays a key role in motivating local food production to reduce Aruba’s dependency on food imports, improve food security and build resilience against global disruptions.
Given the islands semi-arid climate, limited land and water resources, and the growing demands of the tourism sector, Santa Rosa faces significant challenges in achieving these objectives while ensuring environmental sustainability. “Food security” here refers not only to reliable food availability, but also to affordability, accessibility, and nutritional adequacy for all residents. “Sustainability” refers to the responsible use of land, water, and energy in ways that do not compromise future generations’ ability to produce food.
The motivation for this research comes from the need to address Aruba’s food system vulnerabilities and explore solutions for reducing these dependences on imported food. Currently, Aruba is highly dependent on global food supply chain, with a risk of possibles disruptions of chains. This report presents Santa Rosa with viable solutions for local food production that are both economically and environmentally sustainable, while also meeting the nutritional needs of the population Aruba has a promising opportunity to strengthen its food system by producing more of its own food locally, by feeding the local population through sustainable, island-adapted production methods. As a team, we have identified four food production methods that are particularly relevant to Aruba’s unique geographic context:
soil-based agriculture, innovative agriculture, animal husbandry, and aquaculture. While these approaches are widely practiced globally, their potential in Aruba remains underexplored especially in terms of resource
efficiency, environmental sustainability, and economic viability. Drawing on both primary and secondary data collected on the island between 1st of February and 10th of April, this report provides evidence-based recommendations aimed at supporting Santa Rosa’s strategic efforts to close this gap and build a more selfreliant and sustainable food system.
As part of this consultancy, several key points of advice are recommended, including the promotion of diversified and complementary farming systems that are responsive to Aruba’s unique characteristics, acknowledging that no one-size-fits-all model applies. These advice focus on integrating our food methods of production to create a resilient food production system; that is the goal. Additionally, recommendations emphasize the importance of water conservation, renewable energy, and innovative financial tools to support local food producers. Finally fostering trust and communication between stakeholders is key to align efforts and drive the systemic change needed for Aruba’s food security and sustainability.
As a final remark, this report offers actionable advice to help Santa Rosa take step forwards and get a leadership role in improving Aruba’s food system, ensuring that it is more sustainable and self-sufficient.
With the right steps, Aruba can set a benchmark for food security and
environmental stewardship in the Caribbean region
Diego Acevedo: Universidad di Aruba ta organisa conferencia di ciencia marina
No full texthttps://24ora.com/diego-acevedo-universidad-di-aruba-ta-organisa-conferencia-di-ciencia-marina/
Universidad di Aruba, specificamente e facultad di SISSTEM (Sustainable Engineering) ta organisando un conferencia di ciencia marino unda cu lo ta treciendo expertonan internacional di ciencia marino pa papia tocante e tema.
Den entrevista cu phd. Diego Acevedo, Program manager- SISSTEM, nos a puntra dicon a kies Aruba pa e conferencia. Segun Acevedo, Aruba ta un isla rondona di awa. P’esey a dicidi cu Aruba ta un ehempel perfecto pa papia over di e diferente problema cu e lama y su ecosistema maritimo ta enfrenta.
E conferencia lo tuma luga di dia 26 pa 28 di mei proximo y por registra na www.icms-2025.com
Buckle Up, Aruba: Exploring the Relationship Between Modifying Factors, Parental Perceptions, and Compliance. A Quantitative Study on Car Seat and Seat Belt Use in Children Under 12
No full textRoad traffic injuries are among the leading causes of child fatalities globally, with the correct use of child car seats and seat belts proven to significantly reduce injury and mortality rates (Seat Belts and Child Restraints, n.d.). In Aruba, legislation mandates their use for children under 12 years of age; however, compliance remains inconsistent, thereby exposing young passengers to unnecessary risks (R. Kock KPA, personal communication, October 4, 2024). This study aimed to determine how demographic and cultural factors shape parental perceptions of child car seat and seat belt use, and how these perceptions influence self-reported compliance in Aruba. Guided by the Health Belief Model (HBM) (Rosenstock et al., 1988), this research examined how factors such as demographic and cultural characteristics influence perceptions of susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, and self-efficacy, and how these perceptions in turn influence compliance. A structured quantitative survey was conducted among 235 parents of children under 12 years of age, supplemented by expert insights from law enforcement and healthcare professionals. Results indicate moderate self-reported compliance, with most parents aware of the law yet admitting to inconsistent restraint use. Cultural norms, perceived barriers, and a lack of enforcement were identified as key obstacles. Parental beliefs about the benefits of car seats, perceived risk, and confidence in proper usage were significantly associated with higher compliance. The study concludes that knowledge alone is insufficient; sustainable compliance requires reinforcing motivation, clarifying legal guidelines, and providing practical support. Recommendations include strengthening legal enforcement, implementing culturally tailored public awareness campaigns, and providing clear guidance on the proper use of child restraints
Effect of Child Maltreatment Polyvictimization on Human Capabilities While Controlling for Sociodemographic Risk Factors
No full textPerspectives of Healthcare Professionals on Regulations and Regulatory Policies and Their Impact on the Medical Supply Chain in Aruba
No full textThis qualitative exploratory study examines the impact of regulations and regulatory policies on the medical supply chain in Aruba, focusing on the availability of medicines and healthcare supplies. This research aims to identify and understand how different regulations and regulatory policies may obstruct the medical supply chain in Aruba, specifically: the import, storage, distribution, and availability of effective medicines. The purpose of this study is to inform policymakers and stakeholders within the medical supply industry. The analysis is based on the perspectives of various healthcare professionals and individuals who are part of Aruba’s medical supply chain.
To achieve this, a data set of fifteen semi-structured interviews has been conducted with respondents such as pharmacists, government regulators, customs agents, and logistics personnel within the medical supply chain. Through inductive thematic analysis, the primary identified challenges were outdated legal frameworks, fragmented regulatory practices, complex compliance procedures, and gaps in coordination among institutions. These factors
often contribute to delays, inefficiencies, and inconsistencies within the Aruban medical supply chain.
The main findings of this study show that respondents emphasized the need for regulatory adaptation, particularly concerning digitalization, stakeholder engagement, and simplified guidelines. Based on these findings, this study recommends incorporating field-based insights into policy development to strengthen the resilience and responsiveness of Aruba’s medical supply chain. It is important to note that there are limitations to this study, including a small sample size and insufficient statistical data
Validation of a Low-Cost Hyperspectral Imager for Coral Surveys A Review of Existing Coral Health Assessment Methodologies
No full textNo Rain, No Grain? Exploring the Potential of Local Feed Production for Livestock in Aruba
No full text
Institute of Island Studies International
No full texthttps://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/upei-institute-island-studies-celebrates-40-years
https://web.archive.org/web/20250904192820/https://www.saltwire.com/prince-edward-island/upei-institute-island-studies-celebrates-40-year