CLIMATE ADAPTATION SYMPOSIUM IN LIVESTOCK
The Climate Adaptation Symposium in Livestock was an exercise under the EU/CARIFORUM Climate Change and Health Project. This was a highly interactive meeting sponsored by the UWI Climate Change and Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture.
In her welcoming remarks Dr. Hull James, veterinary officer and UWI climate Change and Health Fellow spoke to the many plights which include the adverse effect of Climate Change that impact the Agricultural sector.
Miss Diahann Gomes rendered the invocation to start the symposium on the right path. Dr. Tubal Edwards in his opening remarks emphasized the timeliness and importance of the symposium and he encouraged everyone to work together to obtain the required solutions and results.
Panel discussions
Power point presentations were made by members of the panel. The panelists were Mr. Craig Thomas – National Specialist of Inter-American Institute for Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), Mr. Sherrod James – Director of the National Office of Disaster Services (NODS), Mr. Orvin Paige – Climatologist at the Antigua & Barbuda MET Office and Mr. Gregory Bailey – Director of Agriculture/Ministry of Agriculture (MOA).
Presentation #1 by Mr. Craig Thomas
IICA’s contribution to Climate Change for the period of 2022- 2026, this is considered to be one of IICA’s Medium-Term Plan: Program 4. Climate Action and Agricultural Sustainability. Under this programme the organization (1) integrated solutions will be fostered, (2) be more involved in agriculture at the national level, (3) develop a strategy to build political will to facilitate technical activities and (4) to participate actively in agrifood systems.
It was disclosed that in 2023 on Antigua and Barbuda, IICA secured external funding from a Australian donor agency for a “Forage Project” and a model paddock was developed at Paynters so that farmers could have access to the vegetation for livestock feed. Several types of grasses such as African Star Grass, Gliricidia, Chrysopogon, Dwarf Elephant Grass and Mulberry were introduced and planted for this purpose.
Mr. Thomas announced that through this project twenty-five farmers and two of the Ministry’s staff were trained and his main concern was the maintenance and the expansion of the paddock.
Presentation #2 by Mr. Gregory Bailey
The Director indicated that his overall goal in this forum is to try to assist in demystifying climate change adaptation to the extent possible within local context and to invoke key strategic considerations for better integration of the science of Agriculture with the Business of Agriculture.
During his presentation, the director posed some critical questions which were indeed food for thought. Discussions were held on these concerns:
- How do we perceive to use of AI in Climate Change Adaptation in livestock here in Antigua and Barbuda, likewise renewable energy?
- What are key areas of support required by the Ministry in order to strengthen the sectors resilience?
- How can we better foster and environment in Antigua and Barbuda that promotes the formation of interest groups and associations towards spreading the risk of Climate Change while at the same time maximize resource use and capitalize on potential economies of scale?
- What is the current appetite within the livestock sector for record keeping and on farm research towards developing more targeted site-specific interventions?
“The recommended approaches to combatting the negatives effects of Climate Change on livestock are, generally not inherently new. However, the scale, speed and the level of coordination requires acceleration if we are to be able to sustainably use critically scarce resources which are under increasing pressure from other sectors” Mr. Bailey said.
Presentation #3 by Mr. Orvin Paige
This presentation was centered on Climate Adaptation. Confirmation was disclosed that Climate Change was caused primarily by Greenhouse gas emission, burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, manufacturing, transportation and electricity generation.
Mr. Paige shared data based on weather patterns that have intensified over the years. These were in relation to droughts and extreme precipitation, for example, comparisons were made to the amount of rain recorded in Antigua last February which was 1.5 inches to this February which was already in an excess of 5 inches.
Additionally, mentioned was made pertaining to the increase of Carbon Dioxide emission and the rise in sea temperature that is contributing to more active hurricanes, tropical storms, depressions and longer hurricane seasons. “The summer of 2019 was the hottest in ninety-six years, then the temperature increased in 2022 and again in 2023. Having this amount of rain in a month which is one of the hottest it can be perceived that this summer could be even hotter, the hurricane season could start earlier and is expected to be more active”, said Mr. Paige.
In conclusion, Mr. Paige impressed upon the participants to collect and share data from their farms and experiences with the authoritative organizations such as the MOA, MET and NODs.
Presentation #4 by Mr. Sherrod James
Mr. James presentation illustrated many devastations experienced through the years caused by natural disasters. “Storms intensity and frequency now are causing over US$8,000,000 in damages annually, through floods, storms, wind draughts and fires. Added to that we are now having 400 to 500 fires annually”, Mr. James reported.
The director of NODS implored all in attendance to be more responsible and posed some very pertinent questions and concerns. Some of which were pertaining to management, maintenance, contingency plans and protection of properties, animals and equipment.
All were reminded that “Climate is what we expect but weather is what we get”.
The afternoon session was spent as a workshop within the symposium. During the first section the participants were given crucial advice pertaining to poultry and eggs production from Dr. Chere Kellman, veterinary officer. Additionally, information pertaining to pen construction such as orientation, drainage, roof designs and ventilation.
Dr. Kellman also disseminated information in regard to other buildings to be considered on the farm, the management of birds, eggs collection and management. This was a very interactive session with the poultry farmers.
The last presentation of the day was one on “Biosecurity in a changing Climate” by Dr. Hull James. A clear and concise explanation on the term “Biosecurity”, its importance, potential signs of poor biosecurity, the relationship between biosecurity and the changing climate, and the five pillars to be guided by.
Biosecurity Pillars
Pillar 1: personal biosecurity-farmers and animals – necessary precautions and practices
Pillar 2: Farm physical and infrastructure – positing of buildings and farm layout
Pillar 3: Materials – source
Pillar 4: Information – collection and sharing
Pillar 5: Traffic – on the farm
In her conclusion Dr. Hull James reiterated the importance of (a) keeping your distance by creating barriers between visitors and animals, (b) keeping the farm clean by constantly cleaning tools, equipment and vehicles etc. (c) don’t haul home diseases by keeping new animals isolated (d) do not borrow diseases from friend by avoid sharing fee, tools and equipment (e) know the sign of disease in order to prevent the spread of disease through early detection and (f) reporting sick animals immediately.
One observation that stood out throughout the symposium was the need for data and record keeping. It was agreed that data is the basis and basic requirement to mitigate and or solve climatic concerns. All in attendance fully agreed that the symposium was more than what was expected and were grateful for this opportunity for information sharing.