CARDI HOSTED STUDENTS FROM AGS AND GSS by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

One of the activities hosted by CARDI in commemoration of CARDI Day 2024 was the newly installed hydroponic system.  On Wednesday 11th and Thursday 12th students from the Antigua Grammar School and the Glanvilles Secondary School (respectively) paid visits to the CARDI for a demonstration on the hydroponic processes and the system that was installed.

Additionally, the students were received information pertaining to deficiencies in plants.   CARDI DAY is observed on 5th December annually and this year marked their fiftieth (50) anniversary.

 

 

 

 

 

5000 New Plantlets Arrive to Boost Antigua Black Rehabilitation Project   by Brent Simon

The iconic Antigua Black known as the sweetest pineapple in the world, is gaining new momentum through a revitalization project funded and spearheaded by Inter-American Institute on Agriculture (IICA) in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture and CARDI. Another milestone was achieved last Thursday 29th November with the arrival of Five Thousand (5000) tissue cultured plantlets from the Orange Hill Biotechnology Canter in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The last 5000 plantlets are expected in January,2025.

These plantlets are the final portion that were specially propagated for the Antigua Black Rehabilitation Project aimed at scaling up pineapple cultivation in Antigua to sustainable levels not seen since the 1980’s. The project focuses on improving genetic resources, enhancing cultivation techniques and preparation for future production. The plantlets, nurtured in a controlled environment, boast a survival rate of about 85-90%, demonstrating the effectiveness of CARDI’s weaning and pest management strategies.

The plantlets will be transplanted at the Cades Bay Agricultural Station, a historic site for Antigua Black Pineapple production.  Once the centrepiece of local agriculture, Cades Bay is now undergoing a major transformation with modern technologies such as drip irrigation and plastic mulch systems. These innovations will optimize water usage, control weeds, and create favourable growing conditions for the pineapples.

In addition to the infrastructure upgrades,  some of the MOA nursery, technicians and local farmers are receiving training in nursery management and sucker multiplication, ensuring the project benefits from both traditional knowledge and scientific advancements. This approach will create a robust pipeline for clean planting material, a critical step for sustaining the initiative.

It is anticipated that this project in the near future will be a part of a broader Caribbean initiative to reduce food imports by 25% by 2025. Collaboration with regional and international partners, including the University of the West Indies, has opened opportunities for research into DNA fingerprinting and other advanced techniques to preserve the unique qualities of the Antigua Black Pineapple.

The phased planting of the new plantlets will begin in early 2025, with expectations of significant yields by 2026. Over the next two to three years, the project aims to produce sufficient suckers and fruit to re-establish the pineapple as a staple in local and export markets.

The Antigua Black Pineapple is more than just a crop; it is a national symbol and a vital component of the island’s agrotourism appeal. The revitalization effort is expected to create jobs, strengthen food security, and contribute to economic growth. By upscaling production and maintaining quality, Antigua is positioning itself as a leader in the premium pineapple industry.

This milestone marks a promising step towards revitalizing a legacy crop while ensuring its sustainable future.

Bringing Back the Antigua Black Sweetness by Brent Simon and Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

Several employees from the Ministry of Agriculture had the opportunity to participate in a planting exercise, a component of the Antigua Black Rehabilitation Project which is under the auspices of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).  The training was facilitated by Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) aimed at improving the genetic resources in Antigua with success the ultimate aim of re-establishing the Antigua Black Pineapple as a cash crop for the twin nation

The Antigua Black Pineapple is a unique variety known for its sweet taste and cultural significance to Antigua and Barbuda. The institutes efforts have focused on improving increasing production and enhancing the market potential of this pineapple strain. This includes research on sustainable farming techniques, pest control, and improved propagation methods to ensure the rehabilitation and resilience of this crop.

One of the key goals is to boost the pineapple’s visibility in international markets while preserving its heritage as a key symbol of Antiguan agriculture. IICA collaborates with CARDI, the government, local farmers, and other stakeholders to provide technical support, training and resources to help revive the industry in countless areas.

Once a symbol of Antigua national pride, the Black Pineapple experienced a decline due to factors which include but are not limited to challenges in production, competition from other pineapple varieties, and shifts in global market dynamics. The decline in farming of the Black Pineapple was also linked to aging infrastructure, limited agricultural investment, and younger generation moving away from traditional agricultural practices.  However, it is never too late to reset, strategize and proceed to better and a brighter future.

May be an image of 2 people and text May be an image of 2 people May be an image of 2 people and text

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May be an image of 3 people

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May be an image of 4 people May be an image of 4 people and seedlings

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS BRIEF: IICA, CARDI and the Ministry of Agriculture of Antigua and Barbuda using propagated tissue culture Antigua Black Pineapple plantlets a solution for the benefit of Pineapple Smallholders.

May be an image of 2 people and textSt. John’s, 14th October, 2024 (IICA), With support through its technical cooperation program, the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), in collaboration with the Caribbean Agriculture Research Development Institute (CARDI) and the Ministry of Agriculture Land Fisheries and the Blue Economy (MoALFBE) started the practical capacity building activities towards the revitalization of the Antigua Black Pineapple with the aid of Science, Technology and Innovation, in an effort to increase the effectiveness of the project to mitigate challenges and provide favourable opportunities for the Antigua Black Pineapple producers.

The project is designed to focus on improving the genetic resources of the Antigua Black Pineapple variety, through the use of tissue culture propagation for in situ conservation in Antigua and Barbuda. Five Thousand (5000) tissue culture pineapple plantlets have arrived in Antigua on the 12th October by virtue of the Orange Hill Biotechnology Agriculture Centre in St. Vincent and the Grenadines to initiate the propagation process.

In his remarks, IICA National Specialist Mr. Craig Thomas, gave a synopsis of the project and the reason behind its conceptualization, through an IICA-FAO LoA in 2020 which concentrated on the Antigua Black Pineapple value chain. He also expressed gratitude to the previous Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. Chet Greene, for soliciting the support of IICA to revitalize the Antigua Black Pineapple, which he deem one of his top priority during his tenure. Thomas also eluded to IICA’s mission which is to support sustainable agricultural development and technological innovation.

Over fifteen (15) staff members from the Ministry of Agriculture participated in the training session facilitated by CARDI today, which not only demonstrated how to prepare the soil medium, but also the sanitization methods which are to be practiced while handling the plantlets, as well as the essentials of nursery management for the plantlets throughout the next 3-4 months prior to transplanting, at the Cades Bay Pineapple Station. Mr. Bradbury Browne-CARDI Irrigation Specialist, highlighted the project components which included nursery management, field transplanting, and the multiplication of suckers to gain additional clean planting materials. It is expected that the first 5000 plantlets will be transplanted in the field between January – February, 2025.

CARDI representative for Antigua & Barbuda and Monserrat, Mr. Junior Greene, in his remarks highlighted the importance for this activity and the potential outcome from this project for the Antigua Black pineapple industry and how CARDI though its ongoing research will continue to support the local producers.

Overall 15,000 tissue cultured Antigua Black Pineapple plantlets were procured under the project and will arrive in Antigua in batches and is expected to be transplanted over a three months period. The project will focus on rapid multiplication of clean planting materials under drip irrigation, using a ferti-irrigation system with plastic mulch techniques, to aid the increase in pineapple planting materials over the next 2-3 years before focusing on fruit production.

Additionally, the project will be procuring extra Antigua Black suckers from local pineapple producers which will undertake a series of analytical testing such as DNA fingerprinting of the previously mentioned fruit. This initiative which will be in collaboration with the University of the West Indies (UWI) and the government of Antigua and Barbuda.

The project is currently funded under the IICA DG Single Fund for Technical Cooperation to support IICA member states.

May be an image of 2 people

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

May be an image of 3 people May be an image of 4 people and seedlings May be an image of 4 people and collard greens

CARDI VISIT TO MONTSERRAT by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

The Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute (CARDI)representative, Mr. Junior Greene journeyed to Montserrat from 28th August to 1st September.  During this trip, he met with Dr. Selwyn Maloney, the Director of Agriculture and Dr. Ronette Bowen, Chief Veterinarian to discuss and finalize the upcoming Artificial Insemination (A.I.) workshop for small ruminant and pigs.  This workshop will be conducted by Dr. Gabriel Young from Jamaica and would be available for technicians within the Ministry of Agriculture and the Montserrat livestock farmers.

“Through this activity, we hope to improve the genetic stock of the animals on the island, thus increasing the quality of meats and the performance of these animals. The people of Montserrat requested improvement in the Boer, Nubian, and Savanna goat, and the Dorper sheep population. This is expected to increase pork production through A.I., from Large white, Landrace, and Duroc breeds” explained Mr. Greene.

In addition to the meeting, CARDI donated planting materials of different grasses to the Montserrat Extension Division for the improvement of the pastures which would afford better forage and nourishment for the livestock there. Additionally, to assist in the rebuilding of the Pineapple industry some pineapple plants were also donated to  Honourable Crenston Buffonge/Minister of Agriculture.

Several visits were made to vegetable and livestock farms for the inspection of both crops and animals.  Some pheromones for the control of the Sweet Potato weevil (Cylas farmicarius) were donated to the sweet potato farmers, while hot pepper seeds were distributed to the other farmers and Mr. Easton Taylor-Farrell/Premier of Monserrat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CARDI DONATES TO INSTITUTIONS, LOCAL CAHRITY AND THE NEEDY by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

Over the course of a week the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI) donated over a hundred pounds of pumpkin to Fiennes Institute, Her Majesty’s Prison and a local Soup Kitchen.  According to Mr. Junior Greene/CARDI Representative this gesture is a norm that often times happen to illustrate the institution’s commitment to Food Security, “Zero Hunger” initiative and also a way of giving back to society.

 

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WORLD COCONUT DAY 2024 by Carol-Faye Bynoe-George

Being one of the most versatile fruit in agriculture, one of the stablers of the economy for many tropical countries to include the Caribbean region and is respected for its nutritional value, the coconut is celebrated annually on 2nd September to emphasize and promote the importance of coconuts.

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera) mainly native to the tropics such as Southeast Asia, islands between the Indian and Pacific Oceans.   The fruit, called coconut is mainly consumed for its water (coconut water) believed by many to be a natural cleanser for the kidneys, its milk widely used for cooking/culinary, its oil used for many internal and external health benefits and its tasty meat called kennel.

In 2016, Antigua and Barbuda were victims of the lethal yellowing disaster that destroyed almost 100% of its native palms.  To counteract this plight the Ministry of Agriculture through its Forestry Unit invested in the procurement of ten thousand Malaysian coconut seeds.  These seeds were cared for by the ministry’s forestry/nursery staff and Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI).

In 2022, after the seeds reached mature seedling stage, the Forestry Unit launched its Coconut rehabilitation Project.  With more that fifty participants and over five thousand seedlings distributed the project is now in its monitoring and evaluation phase.  The Forestry Unit is appealing to the participants who were already involved in this project to honour their obligations outlined in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and to remain committed to the cause.

Preview: Green coconuts textured background.  Preview: Fresh ripe coconut on the tree, coconut cluster on coconut tree. Palm tree branches  Preview: Coconuts cracked and whole on black background, top view  Preview: raw coconuts

 

Revolutionizing Agriculture: Solar-Powered Irrigation Systems by Shenequa Williams

In a bid to combat the challenges posed by Climate Change and to promote Sustainable Agricultural Practices, a ground-breaking initiative heralding the new era on farming techniques was launched on 23rd April.
Spearheaded by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), this project, “Addressing the Water Energy Food Nexus in Agriculture” (WEF Nexus Project) which is a subproject of the Mexico-CARICOM-FAO Resilient Caribbean Initiative, introduced solar-powered irrigation systems to farmers across four main beneficiary countries: Antigua and Barbuda, St. Kitts and Nevis, Jamaica, and Barbados. The initiative aims to revolutionize farming practices, empowering farmers with innovative tools to enhance productivity while combatting the impacts of climate change.
The centerpiece of this initiative is the solar-powered irrigation system, ingeniously designed to harness the abundant energy of the sun to facilitate irrigation processes. Consisting of a bladder with a capacity of 5000 gallons or a tank with a capacity of 1000 gallons, coupled with solar panels and a solar-powered pump, this system represents a paradigm shift in agricultural irrigation. By utilizing renewable energy sources, farmers can significantly reduce their reliance on traditional energy grids, thereby minimizing carbon footprint and operating costs.
The recent unveiling of this initiative witnessed the presence of esteemed figures from the agricultural sector, including Dr. Janil Gore -Francis/ acting Director of Agriculture, Mr. Owolabi Elabanjo/Chief Extension Officer. Dr. Francis underscored the urgency of embracing sustainable practices in the face of escalating climate change impacts. She emphasized the pivotal role of the solar-powered irrigation system in addressing water scarcity and enhancing agricultural resilience. Mr. Elabanjo echoed his sentiments, urging farmers to leverage this opportunity which could optimize their farming operations.
The installation of the system was entrusted to Gro Tech. Commencing installation in December 2023, Gro Tech has been instrumental in bringing this vision to fruition and facilitating the deployment of solar-powered irrigation systems to farmers in Antigua and Barbuda. One of the key features of this initiative is its emphasis on knowledge transfer and capacity building.
Farmers were provided with a comprehensive training on operating the solar-powered irrigation system, including hands-on experience with instruments such as the tensiometer and pH meter. This practical training equipt farmers with the necessary skills to maximize the efficiency of their irrigation practices, ensuring optimal crop growth and yield.
Feedbacks from participating farmers have been overwhelmingly positive, with many lauding the system’s ability to irrigate larger areas without experiencing a decline in water pressure. This testimonial reaffirms the efficacy of solar-powered irrigation systems in overcoming traditional constraints associated with irrigation methods.
This project under the supervision of Ms Auriel Horsford-Hunte/Project Coordinator and Mr. Brent Georges/Project Focal Point was completed through the collaborative efforts of the FAO, Ministry of Agriculture, GroTech and Caribbean Agricultural research and Development Institute (CARDI).
Mr. Ika Fergus, the national correspondent for FAO, emphasized the broader implications of this initiative for sustainable agriculture. By promoting water-harvesting techniques and renewable energy utilization, the project seeks to foster a holistic approach to agricultural development, thereby enhancing food security and livelihoods in the beneficiary countries.
As the world grapples with the escalating challenges of climate change, initiatives like the solar-powered irrigation system represent beacons of hope, offering tangible solutions to mitigate environmental degradation and secure sustainable futures for agricultural communities. Moving forward, the call to action is clear: embrace innovation, adopt sustainable practices, and cultivate resilience in the face of adversity.

2024 AGRO EXPO

The 2024 AGRO EXPO was a huge success by all estimations.  Stemming from the first Inter-school Garden Competition the event was beyond expectations.  Another positive for both Ministries of Education and Agriculture, the expo was not the first  but certainly was one of its kind.  The last expo was held two years ago in 2022 was a success, however, this year’s Expo to it put in colloquial term “WAS A SELL OFF!”

The award ceremony of the Inter-school garden competition was one of the many activities of the special day.  Fifteen schools competed in three categories which were Pre, Primary and Secondary schools.  According to the judge’s report, the competition at all levels was very close.  According to the panel of five judges the scores differences between the three top schools were between .1 to 2 points after the final averages.   Resulting in the Pre-school category: Sir Luther Wynter barely edged out the Villa Preschool, Clare Hall Secondary School forged ahead of Sir Novelle Richards Academy with the Old Road Primary School winning the Cedar Grove Primary School for first place and also overall CHAMPION!

Other activities for the day included sightseeing and visiting a wide variety of stalls, livestock animals, picture taking, and  an exclusive raffle for prizes based on the Expo tickets purchased by the students. The event was fully supported by stakeholders such as CARDI, Ministry officials such as Mrs. Rosa Greenaway – Permanent Secretary/Ministry of Education, and Mr. Gregory Bailey, Director/Agriculture, students, teachers, administrators, parents, farmers, agro-processors, and well wishers.

The Organizers would like to express sincere gratitude to Minister E.P. Chet Green – Minister of Agriculture, who donated the prizes for Primary School winners, Minister Daryll Matthew – Minister of Education who donated the prizes for the Secondary School winners and Senator Samantha Marshall – Ministry of Social Transformation who donated the prizes for the Pre-school winners.  Other prizes that were given to various achievers were sponsored by Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), A & R Hardware, Louis Brothers, Antigua Home & Garden Supplies and Dew Pro Builders.

With such a tremendous success simply means that AGRO EXPO is guaranteed to be an annual event.  Thank the Lord Almighty and Mother Nature for holding the rain, the weather was overcast but fair for the duration of the event. Kudos to ABS Television, Menace XL and everyone for making it a fantastic occasion and a wonderful experience.

      

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

        

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INTERSCHOOL GARDEN ADJUDICATION – PART 14

PRESENTING JENNINGS SECONDARY SCHOOL