Country Profile
The twin-island Federation of St Kitts and Nevis is a part of the Leeward Islands group covering a total land area of 269 km² (104 mi² -, St Kitts is 176 km² (68 mi²) and Nevis is 93 km²(36 mi²). The highest elevation in St Kitts is Mount Liamuiga (formerly Mount Misery), 1,156 m (3,792 ft.) on St. Kitts and the Nevis peak of 985 m (3,232 ft.). The mean annual rainfall is 1,300 mm (51.2 in). Sugar was the traditional mainstay of the St. Kitts economy. However, faced with a sugar industry that was finding it increasingly difficult to earn a profit, the Government of St. Kitts and Nevis officially closed the sugar industry in 2005 and embarked on a programme to diversify the agricultural sector and stimulate the development of other sectors of the economy. Tourism has since surpassed sugar as the major foreign exchange earner for St. Kitts and Nevis. Export-oriented manufacturing and offshore banking also assumed larger roles in the economy. The agricultural diversification programme is continuing with emphasis on crops and livestock such hot pepper, white and sweet potato, vegetables, dairy, beef, mutton, pork and poultry. The economy continues to be vulnerable to global financial challenges and adverse weather conditions, and reflected a decline in 2009, even as it is expected to improve in 2010. Agriculture contributed 3.5% of the GDP in 2009.
CARDI St. Kitts & Nevis Overview
CARDI St. Kitts and Nevis is identified mostly with research and development on vegetables and Integrated Pest Management (IPM), especially for sweet potato production and the management of invasive species. However, with the closure of the sugar industry by the Government a greater opportunity has become available for agricultural diversification. Therefore, CARDI St Kitts and Nevis has expanded its research and development portfolio to include activities on hot pepper production and undercover / protected agriculture in support of the diversification process. The Unit is also involved in livestock research and development. It is the focal point for the delivery of technical assistance to the small ruminant sub-sector by CARDI Livestock Scientists.
Work Programme
Work Programme for the Medium Term 2008-2010
Commodity development – Crops
Sweet potatoes
- Introduce and evaluate varieties with pest resistance potential and high carotene content
- Evaluate and transfer biopesticdes and trapping systems for sweet potato weevils
Hot pepper
- Demonstrate and transfer commercial hot pepper production systems
Commodity development – Livestock
Small ruminants
- Participate in the regional small ruminant survey to collect some baseline data
Emerging Issues
Undercover / protected agriculture (greenhouse)
- Evaluate and transfer technologies for growing media, crop varieties and IPM practices for vegetable production in greenhouse
Invasive species initiatives
- Focal point for response to invasive species
Country Highlights Reports
For highlights of work by the CARDI office in St Kitts and Nevis, Click here
Contact Information
Contact Information
Kistian Flemming
CARDI Representative / Climate Change and Development Specialist
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CARDI St Kitts & Nevis
P.O. Box 479
North Pelican Drive
Bird Rock
St. Kitts and Nevis
Phone: (869) 465-1498 / 2846
Fax: (869) 465-3285
Email: (Enable Javascript to see the email address)
Country Partners
Partners and Collaborators
- Ministry of Housing, Agriculture, Fisheries and Consumer Affairs, St Kitts
P. O. Box 186
Government Headquarters
Basseterre
St Kitts/Nevis
Tel: (869) 469-5521/ 465-2521
Email: (Enable Javascript to see the email address) - Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing, Co-operatives and Fisheries, Nevis
Prospect Avenue
Bellevue
St Kitts/Nevis
Tel: (869) 469-5521 - Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) at St. Kitts and Nevis
http://www.iica.int/Eng/regiones/caribe/sancristobal/