The August 2017 issue of the Caribbean Agro-climatic Bulletin of the CariSAM, a joint bulletin of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Caribbean Institute for Meteorology and Hydrology (CIMH) is now available.
CARDI Ministers’ Brief: issue 08, August 2017
Contents:
Michele Singh, Country Representative to Bahamas was part of the Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Science Institute (BAMSI) contingent that participated in the 53rd Annual Caribbean Food Crops Society (CFCS) Meeting in Puerto Rico. The BAMSI/CARDI group of researchers, presented on recent developments that have been aimed at strengthening the country’s agricultural sector. view
Representatives from CARDI, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) and the Barbuda Agricultural Council Committee, facilitated a 2 day workshop on “Production and Productivity for Cassava and Sweet Potato” for farmers on 26 and 27 July in Barbuda. view
During the months of July and August, CARDI hosted a series of Public Consultations on the 2018-2022, Strategic Plan. These consultations which were held in each member state provided all persons and organisations with an interest in agriculture the opportunity to understand CARDI’s work and to contribute to its relevance and effectiveness. view
The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the University of Belize (UoB) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate in the areas of knowledge sharing, training and capacity building, resource mobilisation and research geared towards the development Belize’s food and agricultural sectors. view
The establishment of gene banks for roots and tubers will guarantee farmers
have access to high quality, clean planting material
Jamaica’s agricultural sector is set to benefit from the Pilot Program for Climate Resilience (PPCR) which is being funded by Climate Investment Funds. Under the four components of the project, the Region will improve the acquisition and management of climate data and scale up innovative climate resilient initiatives in various sectors. As part of the agriculture component Jamaica will directly benefit from the establishment of a 1,800ft2 weaning and hardening facility which will house disease free plantlets of economically important root crops. The facility will be built so it can be deconstructed in the event of a hurricane or the occurrence of strong winds. Resources will also be allocated to the continued refurbishment of the seed storage facility at Bodles.
The establishment of a coconut nursery in Hanover will increase the availability of seed nuts to farmers on the west of the island
After several setbacks experienced in the 1980s, the coconut industry is making a comeback in the Region. Jamaica is one of 11 countries currently benefitting from the Regional 4 year project “Coconut Industry Development for the Caribbean” being executed by CARDI in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the European Union (EU).
CARDI Ministers’ Brief: issue 07, July 2017
Special issue on Jamaica
Contents:
– Contributing to the growth and expansion of the small ruminant industry
– Supporting the expansion of the coconut industry
– Providing support to cassava small farmers
– CARDI working to develop Jamaica’s castor bean industry
– Improving the resilience of Jamaica’s agricultural sector
– Increasing the availability of hot pepper seeds to Jamaican farmers
