In 1996, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) was mandated by the Caribbean Heads of Government to develop an agricultural science and technology system for the region. Now termed PROCICARIBE, the Caribbean Agricultural Science and Technology Networking System provides the institutional framework within which Caribbean governments, R&D institutions, the private sector, NGOs, farmer groups and other stakeholders design and implement strategies for the integration and co-ordination of agricultural research and development efforts at both the national and regional levels with linkages to international organizations. The paper describes PROCICARIBE's Mission in light of the region's changing environment and provides details of the setting up of the system and its strategy for the next five years.