by Linda Straker
Farmers in Grenada will benefit from a training programme that will expose them to record-keeping practices, as part of farm management which can improve the overall administrative operations of their farms.
CTA Senior Programme Coordinator, Agricultural Policy and Value Chains, Juan Cheaz Pelaez, said that the training is aimed at providing farmers in 6 Caribbean islands with the knowledge required to assist and understand the role that record-keeping plays in farm management, and at the same time how the information provided will assist them in making better decisions for the farm.
“This is about changing the behaviour of farmers who are faced with many challenges, but at the same time there are many opportunities,” he told media attending the one week Caribbean–Pacific Agri-Food Forum, which opened in Barbados on Monday. Chief Executive Officer of the Marketing and National Importing Board, Ruel Edwards, as well as representatives from the North-East Farmers are attending the Forum, which brings together more than 200 delegates from ACP member states.
“We are helping farmers to understand the environment, because there are some things that just need to change,” said Chaez, who explained that as part of its process, the CTA has developed a medium-term regional business plan in each of the territory it operates.
Based on the challenges and opportunities identified, the business plan for Grenada and the rest of Caribbean will focus on developing sustainable agricultural value chains, and market links and building climat- resilient and nutritional-sensitive food systems.
The CTA operates under the framework of the Cotonou Agreement, and is funded by the European Union. Its strategic plan underlines the importance of bringing about desirable changes in policy design and implementation for the African, Caribbean and Pacific countries. Its mission is to advance food and nutritional security, increase prosperity and encourage sound natural resources management in ACP countries.
The other islands to benefit from the record keeping training for farmers are Barbados, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, St Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda.
