Meeting the immediate needs of the regional agriculture sector

CARDI, in its continued thrust to meet the immediate needs of the regional agriculture sector, hosted a National Consultation on Agriculture Research and Development (R&D) in Rouseau, Dominica with policy makers, stakeholders, and beneficiaries of the agriculture sector with the aim to provide a cohesive and comprehensive approach in developing and implementing programmes at the national level.

This Workshop, is the first of a series that CARDI is having in each of its Member Countries.

The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Hon Matthew Walter gave the Feature Address at the opening of the forum.

The hosting of these National Consultations on Agricultural R & D, an initiative of CARDI, is designed to enable CARDI’s stakeholders and clients to be proactively involved in the development and ownership of the Institute’s Medium Term Plan and its Annual Work Plans. In turn, this would facilitate an integrated and cohesive strategy for CARDI’s stakeholders and clients to foster and enhance CARDI’s contribution to increased contribution to increased food production and food security in the Region.

At the Consultation in Rouseau, stakeholders and participants identified and selected a number of key priority areas for Dominica. They also reviewed on-going CARDI R & D Programmes and determined how best these priorities could be included in CARDI’s Medium Term Plan and its 2008 Programme of Work.

Subsequently, crop protection: Citrus Tristeza Virus, Moko disease prevention, Red Palm Mite control, training in pathological and entomological techniques, as well as technical assistance regarding agribusiness and livestock industries were identified.

CARDI was also requested to provide technical services, such as the introduction of suitable pineapple cultivars, identification of suitable land races e.g. (Bonda Ma Jacque) for processing hot pepper as well as examine factors that affect corn quality and size for dasheen.

Participants included staff of the Division of Agriculture, Nature Island Pineapple Producers Association, (NIPPA), Dominica Banana Producers Limited (DBPL), BELLO, Dominica Export Import Agency (DEXIA), IICA, Dominica State College (DSC), farmers and stakeholders.

The Dominica National Consultation on Agricultural R & D was held in December 2007 at DEXIA. It was chaired by CARDI Representative, Dominica, Dr Gregory Robin.

For more information please contact:
Mr. Selwyn E. King
Public Relations and Communications Manager
CARDI.

21 January 2008

(01/2008)