After more than 30 years of devoted service, it is with mixed emotions that CARDI announces the retirement of Dr Gregory Robin. Dr Robin was the recent Manager, Science, Technology and Innovation and CARDI Country Representative in Jamaica. Before that, he headed the CARDI offices in Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica and St Vincent and the Grenadines.
Holding a PhD in Molecular Pathology and an MPhil in Agronomy/Crop Production from UWI, Cavehill and St Augustine, respectively, Dr Robin started his journey at CARDI in 1981 as a graduate assistant on the USAID Small Farm Multiple Cropping Systems Research project, in Dominica.
Dr Robin’s career has been a remarkable one. He has worked extensively in the development of the regional roots and tubers industry. With his unparalleled expertise, he led the development of a commercially sustainable/year-round production system for taro in Dominica and the OECS; analysed the key factors causing yam anthracnose in Dominica, made recommendations for the control of the disease and conducted assessments on the impact of variety, time of planting and agro-ecological zones on sweet potato productivity, in the Eastern Caribbean States (OECS). A key aspect of his most recent work was investigating the impact of drought on sweet potato production in Jamaica. Dr Robin has earned years of experience in technical and administrative aspects of agricultural research and development in the Caribbean.
He was also the Caribbean’s representative on the board of the International Society for Tropical Root Crops (ISTRC). As the author of over 20 publications, inclusive of manuals, Dr Robin has credited his success to his passion and dedication to agriculture and root and tuber crops as a priority commodity in the region. Away from his professional life, Dr Robin is also an active farmer in his native country of Dominica and an avid sports fan.
At a virtual farewell hosted in his honour on 30th October 2020, Executive Director Barton Clarke thanked Dr Robin for his years of service and loyalty to the Institute. He praised his work in the development of the roots and tubers sub-sector, in particular, noting that it laid the foundation for countries to build and propel this industry.
CARDI feels fortunate to have worked with Dr Robin and vice versa and wishes him good health and happiness.