Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), Mr. Ansari Hosein paid a three day visit to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines from Monday 23rd to Wednesday 25th October 2023.

This visit included a courtesy call to Prime Minister, Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves at Cabinet Room on Tuesday 24th October, 2023.

Among the issues discussed were the vision of CARDI, the impacts of climate change, strategic approaches to praedial larceny, the labour shortage in the agriculture sector and the manner in which bad farming practices through the use of hazardous pesticides continue to impact negatively on our soils.

The CARDI Executive Director noted that CARDI intends to work closer with the Ministry of Agriculture to develop center of excellence at the various agricultural stations across the country, so that the stations can increase productivity.

Mr. Hosein further indicated that there are benefits to be derived from several projects which include; The Regional Sweet Potato Industry Value Chain Enhancement and Technology Transfer project funded by the Caribbean Development Bank and implemented by CARDI in partnership with University of the West Indies and Ministry of Agriculture, The Alliance for Coconut Industry Development Expansion and Enhancement Support for the Caribbean funded by the European Union and implemented by CARDI, International Trade Centre (ITC) and the Ministry of Agriculture as well as the Dasheen Development Program.

The Hon. Prime Minister said he welcomed the continued support of CARDI to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Also present at the meeting were the Minister of Agriculture, Hon Saboto Caesar and newly appointed CARDI Representative to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Mr. Donawa Jackson, a trained and experienced agricultural technician.

The three day visit also includes a field tour to several CARDI experimental plots and meetings with other implementing agencies that have contributed significantly to Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Agricultural Sector.

Simultaneously, UWI delegate Dr. Oral Daley was also on an official visit to SVG and joined the tour with the team.

SOURCE: Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour