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January 2011
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Cocoa Research findings at workshopThe challenges facing regional cocoa producers are many, but with the ongoing thrust to revitalize this industry, many efforts are underway to support a sustainable recovery, such as the January 26 workshop hosted by the Cocoa Research Unit (CRU) of The UWI. The workshop, “Caribbean Fine Flavour Cocoa Industry Commercialisation; Caribbean Region; CAR-RFO - Initial Workshop on Implementation: Communication, Mobilisation and Institutional Strengthening” was organised under the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE) funded project entitled “Caribbean Fine Flavour Cocoa Industry Commercialisation.” The overall goal of this project is to address the challenges faced by fine/flavour cocoa producers in the Caribbean, particularly those of declining production and low productivity as well as food safety and other quality concerns. It promotes the development of value-added products and agri-tourism associated with cocoa production. The CRU participated in its diagnostic phase from February to July 2010, and has been selected as the lead consultant for the initial step of the project, “Communication, Mobilisation and Institutional Strengthening.” This involves the Centre de Coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour Le Développement (CIRAD) and seven Caribbean territories: Belize, the Commonwealth of Dominica, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Jamaica, Grenada, and Trinidad and Tobago. The T&T consultant is Dr. Darin Sukha, Research Fellow, CRU. CRU hosted this workshop to advise local stakeholders on the findings of the diagnostic stage, the expectations and obligations to the project and investments required as well as to mobilise their participation. To find out more, please contact Sophia Thompson at Tel/Fax: (868) 662 8788, Office Ext: (868) 662 2002 Ext. 2115, 2114, or 3332, or Email: cru@sta.uwi.edu or Sophia.Thompson@sta.uwi.edu.
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