Dominica: Farmer Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste named among FAO’s 100 women heroes

Dominica: Gilles Carbon-Jno Baptiste, a farmer based in Capuchin, Dominica, has been selected as one of the inaugural 100 Women Heroes in Agrifood Systems and Rural Development by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The Dominica Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) announced that the competitive selection process received over 600 nominations from 131 countries across the world. The organisers recognized the leadership, dedication and innovation of Carbon-Jno Baptiste in strengthening rural agrifood systems as key factors in her selection.

Baptiste has been farming for over 40 years, and operates her seven-acre enterprise producing citrus, plantain, avocado, vegetables, turmeric, potatoes and onions, and rears goats, broilers and layers for local markets. She has also built a reputation as a leading supplier of eggs and vegetables to many of the country’s supermarkets and vendors.

She employs green manuring, mixed farming, rainwater harvesting, reforestation and composting, and natural pest and soil inputs, in accordance with Good Agricultural Practices.

Agriculture Minister Roland Royer welcomed the recognition and said the honour reflected her contribution to food production and to the development of Dominica’s farming community.

We are extremely proud that her work has now received this important international recognition, he said.

Carbon-Jno Baptiste is the President of the Capuchin Farmers’ Group, and has trained many farmers through workshops and field demonstrations. In addition to her role as the Best Woman in Sustainable Farming in 2023, she is active in a number of community and civic groups.

FAO officials noted that her recognition reflects Dominica’s efforts to increase the number of women participating in agrifood systems. She will be honoured at the Organization’s headquarters in Rome from October 12 to 16, 2026, during the World Food Forum, a major event that takes place within the framework of the International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026.