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The UWI at CWA 2024 – Championing Climate-Smart Agriculture for a Sustainable Future

For Release Upon Receipt - November 1, 2024

St. Augustine


ST. AUGUSTINE, Trinidad and Tobago, November 1, 2024 – The University of the West Indies (UWI), Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) made significant strides in promoting the need to enhance Human Resources, Research, and Innovation in agriculture during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) 2024, held from October 7-11, 2024. This event, coordinated by the CARICOM Secretariat, focused on critical issues surrounding agriculture, food security, rural livelihoods, and climate resilience across the region.

 Representing UWI, the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) delegation was led by Dean, Professor Mark Wuddivira, and included key faculty members, Dr. Gaius Eudoxie, Dr. Ronald Roopnarine, Dr. Oral Daley, Dr. Sharon Hutchinson, Dr. Jeanelle Joseph, Ms. Shawna Evangelist, and Ms. Celine Suchit.

Throughout the week, UWI’s delegation participated in high-level discussions with regional leaders and experts aimed at enhancing agricultural education, research, and innovation.

 Key Highlights:

Opening Ceremony: The event opened with a keynote by Dr. The Honourable Ralph Gonsalves, Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, who emphasized the importance of agricultural resilience in the face of climate change. Dean Wuddivira delivered remarks at the Global Forum of Rural Advisory Services (GFRAS)/Caribbean Agricultural Extension Provider's Network (CAEPNet) Workshop, stressing the need for climate adaptation in agriculture. While Dr. Jeanelle Joseph presented an overview of CAEPNet. Additionally, Dr. Sharon Hutchinson provided an overview of the FFA-implemented project Strategies, technologies, and social solutions to manage bycatch in tropical Large Marine Ecosystem Fisheries (REBYC-III CLME+), focusing on Component 3, which promotes sustainable fishing practices and business opportunities for small-scale fisheries at the Caribbean Regional Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM) Caribbean Small-Scale Fisheries & Aquaculture Forum.

Strategic Partnerships: UWI’s delegation met with leading agricultural institutions, including IICA, CATIE, and CARDI. These discussions focused on strengthening collaboration for climate-smart agricultural initiatives and advancing education and training through innovative programs such as the 2+2 initiative with the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College (SVGCC).

Research and Innovation Forum: UWI, in collaboration with the Consortium of CARICOM Universities Involved in Agricultural Education and Research (CUCAER), hosted the forum titled “Enhancing Human Resources, Research, and Innovation in Agriculture Towards a Climate-Resilient and Food-Secure Caribbean.” This session featured critical presentations from regional experts and highlighted the need for human capital development, applied research, and policy frameworks to address the challenges of climate change in agriculture.

MoU Signing: An important Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between UWI and the USAID-funded Caribbean Agricultural Productivity Improvement Activity (CAPA). This agreement aims to bolster agricultural production and market linkages while driving innovation across the region.

 At the culmination of the week, UWI, through CUCAER, delivered a formal statement to the Council for Trade and Economic Development (COTED) highlighting the necessity for enhanced agricultural education and research to support climate resilience. The statement also called for increased funding and policy development to strengthen the region’s agricultural sector and promote the involvement of youth.

 Looking Ahead: UWI remains committed to leading climate-smart agricultural initiatives, forging strategic partnerships, and empowering the next generation of agricultural professionals. The CWA 2024 underscored the critical role of education, research, and collaboration in shaping a sustainable future for Caribbean agriculture.

 CWA 2024 Photos:

Opening Reception: UWI Delegates with Prime Minister The Hon. Dr. Ralph Gonsalves

Chair: Senator Dr. Erecia Hepburn Forbes

Current State of Agriculture Presentation: by Mr. Ansari Hosein, Executive Director, CARDI

Research and Innovation Presentation: by Dr. Gaius Eudoxie 

UWI Delegation: Dean Professor Mark Wuddivira with Dr. Jeanelle Joseph, Dr. Ronald Roopnarine, Ms. Shawna Evangelist, Dr. Oral Daley, and Ms. Celine Suchit 

Remarks: Mr. Lambert Chester, Dean, University of Guyana

Visit to SVGCC: UWI Delegates with Dean Osborne Bowens and Staff 

Discussion: UWI Delegates with Director Dr. Karen Thomas on the 2+2 Initiative

Meeting with Minister: The Hon. Saboto Caesar and Dr. Ronald Roopnarine with Dean Wuddivira

MoU Signing: Dean Wuddivira and Mr. Sandiford Edwards 

Collaboration: UWI Delegates with Dr. Luis Pocasangre, Director General of CATIE

Meeting with Officials: UWI Delegates and Geoffrey Patton, Resident British Commissioner

UWI-CUCAER Session: Crowd

 About The University of the West Indies

 The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development, residing at the center of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for over 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with nearly 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Global Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 1000 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and the wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). Since The UWI’s 2018 debut in THE’s rankings, it has performed well in multiple schemes—among them including World University Rankings, Golden Age University Rankings (between 50 and 80 years old), Latin America Rankings, and the Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Well-being; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu   

 

Abridged boilerplate

The University of the West Indies (The UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier, higher education institution. One of only two regional universities in the world, it comprises five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa, and Europe. The UWI has been consistently ranked among the best in the world by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE).

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu

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