Small island nations are on the front line of climate change and extreme weather. Instead of waiting on foreign investment and aid to support sustainability and adaptation, a new wave of innovation and research is emerging from within the islands themselves. We spoke with the Bahamas Agriculture & Marine Science Institute (BAMSI), which is making real waves in the narrative of climate-vulnerable nations.
A defining challenge for the Bahamas is how a small, dispersed nation of roughly 400,000 people, spread across multiple islands, can feed itself and the nearly 10 million visitors it welcomes each year. “We must be proactive and not reactive to climate change,” says Dr. Raveenia Roberts-Hanna, president of BAMSI. In agriculture and marine science, many of the Bahamas’ technical experts are over 65, and the country struggles with the migration of younger qualified professionals. BAMSI’s task is to train the next generation and shift perceptions of what a modern, sustainable Caribbean nation looks like.
BAMSI’s Mission
Only eleven years old, BAMSI was set up to build capacity and prepare small island nations for future challenges, a choice that proved prescient during COVID-19 and major storms like Hurricane Dorian. Demand signals are clear: “Our students, our graduates, are sought after. I don’t have enough graduates for the opportunities out there,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna notes. Government support has also been tangible, with tuition support for current degree programs signaling a national commitment to food security and climate resilience.
Culturally, a big part of BAMSI’s mission is reframing agriculture and marine work for young Bahamians. “Regardless of what you do in life, you have to eat,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna laughs. The Bahamas currently relies heavily on imported food to feed its massive tourist population, creating a cycle of inequality and high prices. BAMSI aims to build a system of independent food production through fisheries and agribusiness, whilst also developing innovative technologies and conservation strategies.
The BAMSI Model: Education, Research, Engagement
BAMSI operates on three tightly linked pillars: education and training, applied research, and community engagement. Offerings range from short courses and online modules to degree programs aligned with national needs. Crucially, BAMSI deploys its own graduates as extension staff across multiple islands; these graduates are often the only technical resource some communities have. These teams maintain a farmer data bank, provide hands-on support from production through post-harvest, and run practical training programs.
“Many smallhold farmers and fishermen are skeptical of change,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna says, especially when it comes from foreign research and international companies. BAMSI addresses this with WhatsApp groups where farmers can ask questions, share photos, and get advice, creating a network of trust and engagement within themselves.
The BAMSI Campus
BAMSI is situated on an 800-acre campus, half of which is a research and demonstration farm, an essential “proof of concept” platform. Dr. Roberts-Hanna explains: “The farm hosts field plots to trial new varieties and techniques, offers free training when innovations emerge, and supplies real-world produce for agribusiness students to practice pricing and marketing.” Demonstrations are central to BAMSI’s teaching strategy, showing farmers and students exactly “what works” before encouraging wider uptake. Campus-based research and student projects also feed into marine conservation and coastal management initiatives, such as coral and mangrove restoration and flat fishing, linking land-based agriculture to blue-economy priorities.
Strengthening a Fragile Supply Chain
In an archipelago, supply chain logistics can make or break local produce. Most inter-island freight in the Bahamas moves once a week on “mailboats,” which typically lack refrigeration. BAMSI identified this as a key issue affecting access to fresh food for locals and tourists alike. With government support they are researching cold-chain solutions, including island-level refrigerated containers (“reefers”) that farmer co-ops could pool and manage. “It makes no sense to invest in seeds and labour, then ship to Nassau and have it arrive rotten and crushed,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna notes. By focusing on supply chains BAMSI is focused on reducing reliance on international food imports and increasing local production.
Climate-Smart by Necessity
In the hurricane belt, resilience starts with what you plant. BAMSI runs nationwide projects on climate-smart crops such as roots and tubers, with sweet potato being a prime example. These staples are hardy in storms, nutritious, and a reliable carbohydrate source for islands that might be temporarily cut off. Food security during hurricanes is a major concern for small island nations, which often rely on delayed aid supplies. Climate-smart crops provide an initial layer of security, ensuring the safety and sustenance of both residents and tourists. With diabetes a national concern, Dr. Roberts-Hanna notes that these crops do not spike blood sugar like other starches, allowing them to be integrated more heavily into local diets.
From Reef to Classroom
BAMSI’s marine and environmental work intersects with national conservation priorities. Students complete research projects and internships alongside government agencies and NGOs in coral and mangrove restoration. The Institute also contributes to coastal management for low-lying communities facing flood risk. Progress isn’t only technical, it’s social. Many families are reluctant to move from generational coastal property. BAMSI provides practical guidance for these communities: “If a community wishes to stay in a geographically vulnerable area, here’s how to safeguard yourself,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna explains. Their guidance is grounded in science and community trust.
Aquaculture, Aquaponics, and AgTech
Training at BAMSI also anticipates global seafood trends. A growing share of the world’s fish will need to be farmed rather than caught. The Institute offers a degree in aquaculture, one of the few of its kind in the Caribbean. On campus, aquaponics systems illustrate circular resource use: fish waste fertilises plants, plants clean the water, and up to 40% of water is conserved through recirculation. Current species include tilapia, with plans to expand into shrimp. BAMSI students have also contributed to conch aquaculture research with partner institutions, applying similar system thinking to coral restoration.
On land, controlled-environment agriculture is another pillar. Container farms allow year-round production in temperature-controlled settings “ food output 365 days of the year,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna notes. This decouples local supply from extreme weather and offers pathways for youth drawn to technology as well as traditional farming. “A container farm is also far more resilient to the increasing extreme weather in the Bahamas caused by climate change,” she adds.
Fly Fishing
The Bahamas’ fly-fishing or “flats fishing” economy is a billion-dollar industry. The teachers of fly fishing are growing older with their expertise isolated to their immediate community. BAMSI helped launch a national certification in flats fishing, one of the first programs of its kind worldwide, to train and certify a new generation. It pairs on-the-water mastery with business and soft skills so graduates can guide, manage, and ultimately own enterprises in this high-value fishing sector.
Why BAMSI is Redefining Sustainability
Today, the Bahamas spends roughly $1 billion each year on imported food. “A significant share of every food dollar leaves the country,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna says, especially when tourism swells demand. BAMSI’s mission is to flip that dynamic by scaling local production, strengthening supply chains, and equipping workers for modern roles across the system. Historically, the Bahamas exported food to the U.S. from the 1940s into the 1970s. “But now we over-rely on imports,” she notes. BAMSI’s focus is on capacity: feed Bahamians first, visitors next, and build toward competitive exports as policy and scale allow.
What’s Next
Dr. Roberts-Hanna’s ambition is inspiring. BAMSI is not waiting for international support to fight climate change. It is empowering the Bahamas to support itself. “Bahamians know what’s best for the future of the Bahamas,” she says. Local knowledge is invaluable when adapting to and mitigating climate change. BAMSI combines innovation with tradition. The practical roadmap includes expanding from two-year degrees to bachelor’s and master’s programs next fall; establishing additional centres on other islands; reducing reliance on government subsidies; and maintaining the agility to adopt new techniques as soon as they become viable.
An Open Door to Collaboration
BAMSI thrives on partnerships and international connections. There are universities with research exchange, government ministries for data-driven decision-making, retailers and wholesalers for market access, and smallholder networks for island-by-island adoption. The Institute welcomes collaborators interested in concrete, scalable interventions and is gowing year on year.
“We’re small, but we’re impactful,” Dr. Roberts-Hanna says. The work is long-term, but the vision is clear. A Bahamas that keeps more of its food dollar at home, builds resilient blue-green livelihoods, and equips young people to lead the system that residents and visitors rely on every day.
Sustainable Business Magazine would like to thank Dr. Roberts-Hanna for sharing insights from BAMSI and their future plans. To find out more, please visit BAMSI.
