St. Georges, Grenada - January 29, 2025 – Grenada, famously known as the “Spice Isle,” is making significant inroads to improve the quality of its “Trinitario” cocoa and cocoa products. This was the main objective behind the five-day training workshop on cocoa agronomy, post-harvest processing, and sensory analysis from January 20-24, 2025, the collaborative effort of The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Ministry of Agriculture & Lands, Forestry, Marine Resources & Cooperatives of Grenada and the Grenada Cocoa Association. The training was attended by over 40 participants, including farmers, agro-processors, extension officers, agronomists, plant propagators, and chocolate makers and held at Grenada Cocoa Association’s Processing Facility in Mt. Horne in St. Andrew. Led by experts from the Cocoa Research Centre of the University of the West Indies, including Professor Umaharan, Head, Cocoa Research Centre/Professor in Genetics and Dr Sukha, Research Fellow and Food Technologist, the workshop provided comprehensive insights into sustainable practices, quality enhancement, and flavor profiling. The practical sessions focused on key field management practices such as pruning, grafting, soil fertility, managing pest and diseases, as well as understanding the principles driving cocoa fermentation and activities affecting the flavour profile of cocoa beans and chocolate through sensory evaluation, which equipped participants with tools to monitor how production and post-harvest practices influence flavor, ensuring the region’s continued excellence in specialty cocoa. Ms Anne Desrochers, FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Specialist highlighted, “The training was aimed at empowering farmers, agro-processor and other stakeholders to adopt sustainable practices, enhance productivity and promote the awareness of quality through sensory analysis. Through the knowledge gained, I believe the participants are better equipped to further safeguard the legacy of Caribbean cocoa while unlocking its full potential in the high-value specialty cocoa market.” Reflecting on the knowledge gained, Ms Trishia Marrast, Extension Assistant of the Northern Agricultural District stated, “This training was highly educational, emphasizing the importance of understanding and managing witch’s broom disease and mastering grafting techniques. It provided valuable opportunities for extension officers, farmers, and processors involved in the cocoa industry”. Mr Andel Findley, Production Supervisor at Diamond Chocolate Factory added, “The sessions on post-harvest and fermentation methods were particularly beneficial, providing practical insights into cocoa fermentation and the evolution of new techniques. As a chocolate maker, I found the training refreshing, it reinforced past knowledge and introduced new materials, essential for maintaining high-quality cocoa products”. The training also covered key challenges like, mitigation of cadmium in cocoa, pest and disease control, food safety and farm rehabilitation, equipping stakeholders with the tools to boost productivity sustainably and enhance knowledge on industry standards.  Of the seven countries designated by the International Cocoa Association as exclusive 100% fine quality cocoa producers, three are from the CARICOM, including Grenada. The current demand on the international market for Caribbean fine flavour cocoa exceeds the available supply. However, through partnerships and collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture, revitalizing and enhancing cocoa productivity in Grenada can pave the way for sustainable growth, increased production, and quality cocoa products.  For more information, please contact:Anne DesrochersPlant Production and Protection SpecialistAnne.Desrochers@fao.org , filtered_html

  18 January 2024 – Dominica, Roseau – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) held its first post-harvest technology and collaborative training session of the year with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy for extension officials, processors, and farmers on January 15 at the Fisheries Complex in Roseau, Dominica. During the week-long training led by FAO, the group of 25 participants gained thorough understanding of harvest and post-harvest technology and best practices, with an emphasis on lowering product losses, boosting value chain efficiency, and improving crop quality and safety.  Dr Mohammed Majeed, Post-Harvest Specialist, drilled down on critical topics such as post-harvest loss quantification, pre-harvest factors affecting shelf life, quality measurement procedures, packaging, cooling, temperature management and transportation.  This approach was successful in providing participants with comprehensive insights on methods to increase the yields of high-value vegetables such as tomatoes, sweet peppers, lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, carrots, and cucumbers. Ahead of the customized training, the Ministry of Agriculture sought FAO’s technical assistance to evaluate the feasibility of growing a variety of vegetables, including imported temperate crops, across Dominica’s diverse agroclimatic zones back in 2023. This scoping study considered key factors such as elevation, year-round water availability for irrigation, and the quality and varieties of seeds available.  Findings from the study identified specific agroclimatic zones suitable for cultivating specialty vegetable crops which have the potential to reduce imports, increase farmers’ incomes, and create opportunities for export to neighboring countries.  In speaking about the success of the training which considered the island's high susceptibility to climate change and scarcity of arable land, among other agricultural issues,  Mrs Anne Desrochers, FAO’s Plant Production and Protection Specialist stated, “improved harvest and post-harvest practices are important to improve quality, minimize food waste and achieve food safety. This training will increase local capacities and knowledge within the Ministry of Agriculture as part of the objectives agreed in the current project of the Technical Cooperation Programme to boost high value vegetable crop production”. Grand Fond farmer Mr Marcus Cuffy who attended the training benefited significantly from the information he learnt, especially about cold storage.  He expressed, “the session was very informative. I intend to share the knowledge with other farmers and put what I learnt into practice”. Mr Keian Stephenson, Technical Extension Officer with the Ministry of Agriculture and FAO National Correspondent stated that, "the farmers demonstrated a great deal of interest in ways they can reduce harvest loss during the training,". They learnt simple, but practical methods that will increase the amount of produce that reaches the market and put more money in their pockets. On the other hand, exporters and handlers gained knowledge on how to enhance their packaging and minimize losses in their pack houses”. By applying the skills and insights gained from this training, stakeholders in Dominica’s agricultural sector are now better equipped to strengthen local food production, enhance food security, build a sustainable and resilient future. Contact for more information:Ann DesrochersPlant Production and Protection SpecialistAnne.Desrochers@fao.org, filtered_html

The intervention aims to build a Caribbean that is not only prepared for the challenges of today but ready to face the uncertainties of tomorrow. These challenges and uncertainties include earthquakes, flooding, drought and hurricanes. Recent devastation wrought by Hurricane Beryl in July this year was a stark reminder of the risks the region faces. EU-CA-RES, which was launched in Saint Kitts and Nevis on 2 December, brings together a broad range of partners for maximum reach and influence. The European Union is joined by UNICEF, the World Food Programme (WFP), the UN Development Programme (UNDP), and the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR). The initiative will pave the way for a region more able to recover from adversity - such as the ravages of climate change, whether slow and creeping or sudden and catastrophic - with even greater strength and resilience. European Union Ambassador to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean, Malgorzata Wasilewska declared that while all partners are clearly working towards the same goal, it is imperative that they all work together. “The region has to work closely together, international partners are here to assist,” said Wasilewska. “Every life we help to save, every house we rebuild should always be our motivation to work on these issues.” Enhancing social protection, which provides a safety net for those in need, is critical and EU-CA-RES works to strengthen systems that can provide immediate financial support to families affected by disasters - especially the most vulnerable like women, children, and people with disabilities - who often bear the brunt of these extreme events. Quick access to resources can make a huge difference in helping communities recover. he programme is committed to ‘building back better’ which develops what has gone before. By implementing improved building standards, investing in disaster-proof infrastructure, early warning systems and strengthening institutional policy, planning, financial arrangements, and data gathering and dissemination, the initiative helps to ensure that when the next emergency strikes, the damage will be less severe, with faster recovery processes reducing loss and suffering. Simon Springett, UN Representative for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean thanked the EU for generously supporting “one United Nation delivering for a collective good.” “We are working collectively every day to reduce that level of fragility and it’s really imperative that we don’t look away, that we really tackle these issues.”, filtered_html

 Bridgetown, November 29, 2024: The Governments of Barbados and Montserrat are better equipped to collect and analyze data, to foster gender equality and advance inclusive health and social development policies, thanks to a recently concluded Joint SDG Fund Programme for Integrated Population Data and Policy Solutions. This marks a significant step forward in sustainable development for both countries.The two-year programme was implemented under the leadership of UNFPA (the United Nations Population Fund), in collaboration with UN Women (the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women), and in partnership with government stakeholders and civil society. With focus on improving access to real-time, disaggregated demographic data, it sought to enable policymakers to create evidence-based policies and programmes in support of the most vulnerable populations. The initiative addressed key priorities under Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and 5 (Gender Equality).Addressing a hybrid Strategic Dialogue and Close-Out Meeting, held at UN House in Barbados, Jenny Karlsen, Deputy Director, UNFPA Sub-Regional Office for the Caribbean, pledged continued support to the Governments of Barbados and Montserrat to build on the Project’s achievements. She commended national partners for their champion role in its execution: “This programme stands as a testament to your vision and commitment to your national priorities, and what can be achieved when we work together with a shared purpose” , she said.  Based on the programme’s execution in Montserrat, significant strides have been made in advancing sexual and reproductive health, population policy and data systems. A draft Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy, supported by UNFPA, is awaiting Cabinet submission, alongside a Population Situation Analysis and National Population Policy, currently under public review. A National Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) System Study and Action Plan is also poised for Cabinet review. Technical guidance and training on the measurement of SDG 5 indicators were provided to the Montserrat Statistics Department. Data collection on this indicator was successfully implemented through their national census, which concluded in November 2023.An analysis of the 2023 Census data on unpaid domestic and care work was also conducted, and steps taken to strengthen national data systems through enhanced disaggregation by sex, age, and disability, integration of GIS and geospatial tools, and targeted training to monitor SDG indicators pertaining to Goals 3 and 5. Meanwhile, in Barbados, UNFPA supported completion of a Baseline Study on Priority Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Indicators for Barbados, with capacity building provided in the National Transfer Accounts Model to help assess the economic impacts of demographic shifts. For the first time Barbados has a national measurement of the time spent by women and men on unpaid domestic and care work. UN Women supported the Barbados Statistical Service with the capture and analysis of the data on the SDG Indicator related to unpaid domestic and care work, providing computer tablets, and facilitating the engagement of six enumerators/field officers and preparation of the final report.Isiuwa Iyahen, Deputy Representative, UN Women Multi-Country Office (MCO) - Caribbean, highlighted the vital intersection of population dynamics and the care economy during her remarks. She noted the concern with declining fertility rates but emphasised that policy solutions to encourage family formation do not infringe on the sexual and reproductive rights of women: “Let’s look at the mix of policy solutions that will encourage you to participate in the paid care economy but meet your obligations to your families.”In addressing the forum, Simon Springett, UN Resident Coordinator for Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean reflected on the programme’s completion as a steppingstone for future progress and building more resilient, prosperous and equitable societies. He maintained: “We must sustain this momentum and continue to prioritize data-driven solutions, gender-sensitive policies, and inclusive approaches to development.” The Project also came in for high praise from national partners attending the Close-out in person at UN House. Patrick McCaskie, Permanent Secretary, Economic Affairs and Investment, Ministry of Economic Affairs and Investment in Barbados underlined the importance of celebrating the programme’s successes, while assessing challenges and lessons learned. He also reaffirmed his government’s dedication to inclusive development: “The Government of Barbados is fully committed to the continued pursuance of programmes and policies that are fully inclusive, people-centered, and resilient—economically, socially, and environmentally—in a way that leaves no one behind.”Meanwhile, Teresena Fergus, Director of Social Services in Montserrat, underscored the programme’s role in advancing rights-based population policies and enhancing national capacities for data-driven decision-making. “Let us celebrate our progress, examine the challenges, and set a robust course for sustaining the strides we have made together,” she encouraged.The Joint Programme is expected to have continued impact through the frameworks and tools developed, which promise to drive inclusive growth and equitable development on the road to 2030. Supported by UNFPA and UN Women’s 2022-2026 Strategic Plans, and the continued partnership of the UN Development System, the results achieved under this initiative will serve as a model for sustainable development strategies across the region. , filtered_html