News Releases

The UWI Signs Strategic MOU with TRINGEN and Yara Trinidad to Strengthen Agriculture Using Research

For Release Upon Receipt - November 8, 2024

St. Augustine


Professor Rose-Marie Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI, St. Augustine (middle) signs the Memorandum of Understanding with President of Trinidad Nitrogen Company Limited (TRINGEN) Karlon Batchasingh (left) and Parmanand Birju, Senior Manager, Yara Trinidad Ltd (right).

St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago, November 7, 2024  – The University of the West Indies (The UWI) has officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Trinidad Nitrogen Company Limited (TRINGEN) and Yara Trinidad Ltd., marking the start of a strategic partnership aimed at advancing research, innovation, and sustainable development in Trinidad and Tobago and the wider Caribbean region. This partnership brings together academia and industry to address agriculture and food security by collaborating with farmers on soil testing and nutrition and empowering them to responsibly feed the local population.

The signing ceremony, held at The UWI’s St. Augustine campus on Wednesday 6th November 2024 brought together senior representatives from The UWI, Trinidad Nitrogen Company Limited (TRINGEN), and YARA Trinidad Ltd., showcasing a shared commitment to fostering collaborative opportunities. The MOU outlines areas of cooperation that include joint research projects, talent development, internships, and sustainable development initiatives that support Trinidad and Tobago and the Caribbean’s ongoing transformation towards sustainable agriculture.

The key areas of focus are:

·         Research and Development This partnership will encourage cross-sector research and development, focusing on critical areas such as sustainable agriculture, climate resilience, and industrial innovation. By combining the expertise of The UWI’s academic researchers and the technological capabilities of TRINGEN and Yara Trinidad Ltd., the collaboration seeks to advance innovative solutions that promote agricultural development, environmental sustainability and resource efficiency.  

·         Talent Development and Training The MOU includes plans to provide UWI students with hands-on learning opportunities, internships, and training programmes designed to cultivate the next generation of professionals in fields such as agronomy, chemistry, engineering, and environmental science. Through industry placements and specialized training, students will gain valuable insights and skills, better positioning them for career success within and beyond the Caribbean. In this context, scholarships will be awarded over two years to support two students pursuing MPhil degrees in Soil Sciences in the Faculty of Food and Agriculture.

·         Community Outreach and Sustainable Development The partnership will extend its impact to the community level, with a shared commitment to supporting sustainable development and resilient agriculture. Community engagement projects and outreach efforts, such as educational programmes and sustainability workshops, will further promote awareness in agriculture and help empower local communities.

Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries said, “The Government’s views agriculture as the bedrock of national development directly impacting food security, employment and economic stability. We recognise the challenges facing our farmers from soil degradation to climate change and the need for a forward-thinking evidence-based approach to tackle these challenges. We understand that resources and technical expertise are sometimes limited which is why partnerships like this are not only beneficial, but essential.”

Professor Rose-Marie Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI, St. Augustine welcomed the MOU, stating, “This agreement with TRINGEN and Yara Trinidad Ltd. is a major step forward in our mission to strengthen the Caribbean's sustainable development efforts through impactful research and innovation. Our collaboration will not only address environmental challenges but also create meaningful opportunities for students and communities across the region.”

President of Trinidad Nitrogen Company Limited (TRINGEN) Karlon Batchasingh shared, “TRINGEN is proud to join forces with The UWI and Yara Trinidad Ltd. to support sustainable solutions for the Caribbean. The “Farmer Soil Nutrition Support” project that we are launching is a pioneering initiative aimed at addressing one of the most fundamental aspects of agriculture—soil health and fertility. The objectives laid out in this MOU, which include integrated soil fertility management, regenerative and climate-smart agricultural practices, and the creation of a national soil database, underscore a commitment to both our farmers and the land that sustains us.”

Treveno Stenn Mowassie, President of Yara Trinidad Ltd., whose sentiments were echoed by Parmanand Birju, Senior Manager of Maintenance said, “YARA’s commitment to promoting regenerative sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship aligns seamlessly with both goals of this partnership and YARA’s mission to feed the world and protect the planet. Together we can drive innovation and sustainable farming practices that will materially impact the lives of people across Trinidad and Tobago and other Caricom countries. YARA is proud to bring its knowledge base through this initiative to the local agricultural landscape.”

Ricky Bharat, Maintenance Manager, YARA Trinidad stated, “YARA is committed to moving the initiative sustainably forward and expressed confidence that this MOU will open doors to new opportunities and pave the way for a productive and long-lasting partnership between the petrochemical industry and academia.”

Through this MOU, The UWI, TRINGEN, and Yara Trinidad Ltd., aspire to become regional leaders in agricultural research, innovation, and sustainable practices. With an emphasis on real-world impact and community involvement, this partnership seeks to establish a model for academia-industry collaboration, encouraging the development of a sustainable, knowledge-driven economy in the Caribbean.

The UWI, TRINGEN, and Yara Trinidad Ltd., will begin their first series of joint initiatives later this year, with plans to host workshops, conduct industry-related research studies, and launch an annual forum to showcase the progress and findings resulting from this partnership.

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From left to right - Mr. Wade Hamilton, Board of Director, Tringen; Camille Ramcharan, Campus Legal Officer, Office of the Campus Registrar, The UWI St. Augustine Campus; Mr. Roger Packer, Chairman, Yara Trinidad Ltd; Dr Dawn-Marie De Four-Gill, Campus Registrar of The UWI St. Augustine; Ricky Bharat, Maintenance Manager, YARA Trinidad; Karlon Batchasingh, President of Trinidad Nitrogen Company Limited (TRINGEN); Professor Rose-Marie Antoine, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Campus Principal of The UWI, St. Augustine; Parmanand Birju, Senior Manager of Maintenance, Yara Trinidad Ltd.; Professor Mark Wuddivira, Dean, Faculty of Food & Agriculture, The UWI St. Augustine Campus; Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries and Professor Derek Chadee, Deputy Principal, The UWI St. Augustine Campus

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