BAMSI Welcomes New Chairman Cerone Dean, Signals Renewed Focus on Food Security and Growth
NASSAU, The Bahamas — The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) has welcomed its new chairman, Cerone Dean, who assumed the role in late January, bringing with him a clear vision centered on national food security, agricultural innovation and expanded training opportunities.
A farmer and community leader, Dean said his appointment aligns closely with the Government’s broader mandate to strengthen domestic food production and reduce the country’s reliance on imports. His perspective, grounded in hands-on agricultural experience, shapes a leadership approach that is both practical and forward-looking.
“As a farmer, I understand the critical role agriculture plays in our country’s economic resilience,” Dean said. “My focus at BAMSI is to ensure the institute becomes a driving force in training the next generation of farmers, supporting innovation in agriculture and marine science and increasing domestic food production so that The Bahamas becomes less dependent on imports.”
He noted that BAMSI already possesses key strengths, including established infrastructure, committed staff and significant potential to become a leading agricultural training and research institution in the region. Building on that foundation, Dean said his priority is to enhance operational efficiency while strengthening both academic and practical training programmes.
“My commitment is to build on that foundation by improving operational efficiency, strengthening academic and practical training programmes and ensuring that the institute operates as both a learning environment and a productive agricultural enterprise that benefits the country,” he said.
At the heart of his vision is a renewed focus on collaboration across the agricultural sector. Dean emphasized the importance of strengthening relationships with farmers and fishers throughout The Bahamas, positioning BAMSI as a national partner in production, innovation and sustainability.
“To our farmers and fishers across the country, particularly those who see BAMSI as a breadbasket partner, my message is simple: BAMSI is here to support you,” he said. “We want to strengthen partnerships, provide training, share research and develop practical solutions that help increase production and sustainability.”
Dean brings to the role a combination of practical agricultural experience, community leadership and a strong commitment to national development. His background allows him to bridge the gap between policy, education and real-world farming, ensuring that BAMSI’s work delivers tangible results.
With that vision in place, Dean has already identified several immediate priorities aimed at delivering early impact and setting the tone for the institute’s future direction. These include increasing crop and livestock production so that BAMSI contributes more directly to the national food supply, expanding hands-on training opportunities to ensure students graduate with practical experience in areas such as farming, aquaponics, hydroponics and marine science, and reopening and fully utilizing student dormitories and classroom clusters to support a more vibrant on-campus learning environment. He also emphasized the importance of strengthening partnerships with local farmers and agricultural entrepreneurs to position BAMSI as a hub for innovation, training and agricultural support.
With a clear vision and a results-driven approach, Dean’s leadership signals a renewed focus on positioning BAMSI as a key contributor to national development, food security and agricultural sustainability.
