AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

CaFAN Newsletter Issue 12

IN THIS ISSUE
CARICOM Congratulates CaFAN on a Successful Workshop 3

In

his address at the official opening ceremony of the CaFAN CARICOM Regional Crop Production and Marketing Planning Workshop July 19th, the Honourable Robert Persaud, Minister of Agriculture in Guyana, explained how he had developed an allergy to strategies and plans as there have been so many in his lifetime, both as a minister of government and before. However, after hearing Mr. Jethro Greenes CaFAN address, he felt that he would not suffer from such allergies anymore. Mr. Greene spoke of many practical steps and measures, including that of moving away from fancy, theory-based approaches for dealing with the issues that confront food security and the plight of farmers in the agricultural sector in the region. Minister Persaud commended CaFAN for the initiative of the workshop and believes that the organisation is a powerful force in ensuring the continuation of the momentum developed in recent years to bring agriculture to the forefront of regional and global thinking. Continues on page 2
Photo: Honorable Robert Persuad being presented with a token of appreciation by Senator Norman Grant, CaFANs Interim Chairman, and Ms. Olivet Derret, Jamaicas National Farm Queen 2010. Also in the photo is Mr. Jethro Greene, CaFANs Chief Coordinator.

EU AAACP Final Lessons Learnt Workshop for the Caribbean ..4 CaFAN and COLEACP- PIP forging closer links 5 CaFAN Members meet.6 Highlighting the Belle Vue Farmers Cooperative7 CaFAN FAO EU AAACP Update 8 CaFAN attended PROINVEST Closure Workshop ..10 Agri-summer programme for Antiguan youth .11 GAPA strengthening clusters..11 Caribbean Week of Agriculture, 2011 .13 Top Soil a one hour radio programme on agriculture..13 CaFAN hosts Canadian Interns ...14 and More

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Managing Editor: Jethro Greene | Administrative Support and Editor: Nyasha Durrant | Contributors: Jeffrey Trotman, | Design & Layout: CaFAN Secretariat

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

Editors Note
The year 2011 has seen overwhelming support towards CaFAN from regional and international development organisations. CaFANs main sponsor and partner, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA), has been with CaFAN since its inception in 2002. It has continued to support the Network in providing financial support to strengthen the capacity of CaFANs membership to be effective and successful business organisations through training workshops and information sharing through its Website, Newsletter and other Factsheet publications. CTAs support has paved the way for CaFANs voice to be heard within the region as an action-oriented network. The network has also been able to demonstrate its practical output to help its members achieve their organisations goals and objectives to work together, produce and market their agricultural commodities through the spirit of team work and volunteerism. The year has highlighted numerous success stories from support of the European Union All ACP Agricultural Commodities Programme (EU AAACP) under the coordination of the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), Rural Infrastructure and Agro Industries Division in Rome from member organisations. The EU support has also helped to strengthen the capacity of the CaFAN Secretariat to coordinate its added responsibilities and activities of its members. For the first time since its inception, CaFAN collaborated and held a joint regional activity with the CARICOM Secretariat and was commended for its successful output. The relationship between CaFAN and CARICOM can only grow stronger and CaFAN will continue to work with CARICOM for the common good of agricultural development within the region. This twelfth issue of Agrivybz highlights some of the activities and initiatives of the Network during the year. The CaFAN Secretariat would like to thank all who provided support including, the EU, CTA, FAO (Rome and Caribbean), IICA, CARDI, COLEACP, Ministries of Agriculture, COADY, UNDP (CARUTA) and CFNI. Special thanks are extended to all CaFAN members, focal point representatives, Interim Committee executives and technical volunteers for your unweaving support and dedication. On behalf of CaFAN, its Secretariat and partners, I now invite you to explore this issue of Agrivybz with us. Happy Reading!

Continued from front page Minister Persaud also expressed the hope that all parties subscribe and participate fully in the plan of action developed at the workshop for a CARICOM Market and how to link small farmers to that larger, wider CARICOM Market. The Guyana Minister of Agriculture also expressed the hope that individual farmers organizations in the spirit of a single market would put pressure on their leaders and representatives. He was happy to have a (Jamaican) Senator at the workshop. There must be assurance that agreed decisions taken at the level of COTED be followed through with decisive action that would allow us to share and participate in this common CARICOM Market that we want our small farmers to have access to. Pointing to the great potential in food production not only for the national benefit and development of Guyana but also for the country to play a critical role in the regions food insecurity status, Minister Persaud said that Guyana has not depended or waited on any party within the region but rather engaged its international partners to aggressively pursue its agenda for increased production in the interest of addressing the regions food insecurity status. In highlighting Guyanas commitment to addressing the regions food insecurity status, the countrys Agriculture Minister said that its President, who has the lead role in Agriculture for the region, had set up the Jagdeo Initiative. This sets the approaches and steps that ought to be taken in addressing the regional agricultural challenges. He reiterated his hope that CaFAN would be an engaging partner in moving the region from a food insecure to a food secure situation. Although the situation in the region is acute, there should be a level of optimism as the situation faced by the region is more favorable than in many other places across the globe.

Miss. Nyasha Durrant, Administrative Officer/ Project Coordinator CaFAN Secretariat

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

Mrs. Margaret Kalloo, Deputy Programme Manager for the Agriculture Division within the CARICOM Secretariat, commended CaFAN - and in particular Mr. Greene - for helping to organize, conceptualize, and conduct the Production and Marketing workshop successfully. It is not very often that we work in harmony as we worked during these last couple of days, to be as constructive as we were and to deal without bitterness in terms of not getting things done and ascribing blame for not getting the job done. The environment in which we worked was most impressive. Mrs. Kalloo added that it was very unusual to have the diversity of such a group to work together without conflict, for which participants should be commended. To the importers, to the exporters,

Mr. Sergio Garcia, Programme Manager, and Mrs. Margaret Kalloo, Deputy Programme Manager, Agriculture Division CARICOM Secretariat

to the supermarket chains, to the private sector in general around the table, to the bureaucrats around the table and the members of the network, really and truly its a job

well done, she said, adding that it was one of the most successful four days that she has spent in any of CARICOMs meetings both within and outside of the region.

CaFAN Launched Week of Activities in Barbados

CaFAN launched its week of Activities, which ran from September 22 to 28 2011, at the Blue Horizon Hotel in Barbados on Thursday, September 22nd. Specially invited speakers for the evening ceremony were Mr. Zissimos Vergos, Head of Social Development Section, European Union Delegation to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean and Mrs. Florita Kentish, Sub Regional Director of the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) in Barbados and the Caribbean. Other speakers were Mr. Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator of CaFAN, and Mr. Robert Reid, Hemispheric Specialist, Inter American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

Photo L-R: Mr. Zissimos Vergos, Mr. Jethro Greene & Mr. Robert Reid. Inset is Mrs. Florita Kentish

The Week of Activities included the CaFAN Value Chain Training Workshop, the CaFAN FAO EU AAACP Final Lessons Learnt Workshop for the Caribbean, and the CaFAN members meeting.

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

EU AAACP Final Lessons Learnt Workshop for the Caribbean

CaFAN members, farmers organization leaders, and EU and FAO representatives recently gathered in Barbados to share valuable experiences, lessons learned, challenges and best practices from activities associated with the networks Roots and Tubers Programme. The EU AAACP Final Lessons Learned Workshop presented by CaFAN under coordination by the FAO was held September 26-28 at the Blue Horizon Hotel. The successful event resulted in a comprehensive list of recommendations for CaFAN moving forward with its strategic action plans both for its integrated Production and Marketing project as well as its project Linking Agriculture to Health and Nutrition. As this workshop marks the closing phase of the overall programme, the purpose was to synthesize information collected over the past few years related to Letters of Agreement, individual project components, specific farmers organizations, donor support and CaFANs role in coordination. The objective was to formulate a practical guide of recommendations for CaFAN and its membership moving forward. Themes included marketing and distribution, branding, financing, advocacy and negotiations, production, capacity building and training, and communication. Specific examples were taken from individual country experiences related to value chain upgrading strategies, formal contract negotiations, and use of technology, pre- and postharvest handling improvements, and protected agriculture.

Participants of the EU AAACP Final Lessons Learnt Caribbean Workshop The workshop included impressive and detailed presentations of business models by farmer group leaders representing NEFO, ECTAD, GAPA, Kuru Kururu, and CPGCA, as well as value chain strategies from BAS, NIPPA, and Belle Vue. CaFAN presented the results of its Members Needs Assessment. Cooperative working group discussions were conducted to brainstorm improvements for production and the supply base, marketing and post-harvest linkages, and management and organizational structures. Interactive methods of information sharing and creative suggestions for incorporating online technologies were discussed following presentations on the Eat Caribbean Platform (including its website, blog, radio show, and Facebook page) as well as the networks administrative website. The three-day workshop concluded with field visits to two farms: the first focused on seedling production and the use of alternative energy, and the second was involved with the Barbados onion value chain demonstration plots.

This outstanding exhibition of CaFANs emphasis on information sharing and group collaboration will hopefully continue as farmers organization leaders bring knowledge and skills from the workshop to their individual countries to enhance current and future projects and upgrading strategies. Based on the impression left by participants, CaFAN has a very positive outlook on the future sustainability of the network as it promotes farming as a business and continues to facilitate the capacity building of small farmers in the Caribbean.

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

CaFAN and COLEACP-PIP forging closer links

stressed that these companies have accounted for over 80% of ACP exports of fresh fruit and vegetables to the EU from more than 150,000 smallholder suppliers. Matchmaking The workshop was geared at matchmaking between CaFANs members needs and possible support from COLEACP. As such, much time was spent on identifying CaFANs needs and to put in place a capacity building programme for Caribbean farmers. The two areas of focus were: (i) Training of trainers from CAFAN's 13 member countries in areas such as food safety and traceability of agricultural produce; and (ii) Developing of capacity within CaFAN and the members of its network with emphasis on exchange of information, communication and creation of partnerships among its members. Possible cooperation Mr. Green pointed out that a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) would have to be reached between CaFAN and COLEACP. CaFAN would need to assess its capacity to offer services to members, and this would raise the need for an Information Centre. He also pointed to the importance of sustainable training capacity both from internal and external sources, and who would provide this training. Mr. Greene said CaFAN would have to draft and implement an action plan with detailed information geared for collective action by members of the network.

Participants at the workshop The Caribbean Famers Network (CaFAN) and Europe-Africa-Caribbean-Pacific Liaison Committee (COLEACP-PIP) collaborated on a two day workshop at the Bay Gardens Inn, St. Lucia, from April 4-5 2011. The objectives were to develop a technical cooperation agreement between CaFAN and PIPCOLEACP and enhance the capacity of CaFANs members to produce and market more competitively. A three-member COLEACP delegation attended the two day workshop, which was held under the theme Putting small scale producers at the heart of the fruit and vegetable industry. Presentation by COLEACP An important feature of the COLEACPs contribution was an audio-visual presentation by Morag Webb, Policy Advisor of COLEACP-PIP, on the first day of the workshop. She outlined that PIP is a cooperation programme, managed by COLEACP and financed by the European Development Fund, to work in support of the horticultural sector in Africa, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) states. The COLEACP-PIP programme was implemented at the request of the ACP Group of States and is managed by COLEACP, an inter-professional association that represents and defends the collective interests of ACP producers/exporters and EU importers of fruit, vegetables, flowers and plants. The COLEACP association was formed in 1973 with the goal of helping producers from the ACP Group of states to achieve the requirements for their produce to be exported to Europe without hindrance. In this regard, COLEACP takes an integrated approach in working along with farmers organisations in their respective ACP states. The first phase of its operation ran from 2001 to 2009. During the presentation it was stated that over the past nine years, PIP has helped fruit and vegetable producers/exporters in 28 countries mainly in Africa and the Caribbean - to comply with EU food safety requirements. It was also

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

Value Chain Training

On September 23rd, CaFAN kicked off its two day Regional Value Chain Training Workshop in Barbados. CaFAN organized the event with support from the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA-ACP-EU), the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), FAO, and the Barbados Agricultural Society and Government of Barbados. The workshop was a big success, and participants walked away with much more than value chain methodologies and theories. Mr. Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator of CaFAN, was quoted as saying [he] expects - not hopes - that action will follow up and that we will bring about effective change. The objective of the workshop was to improve the understanding of value chain frameworks, mechanisms and tools to be used in the development and implementation of projects within the regional network of CaFAN. Specifically, CaFAN aimed to build capacity among farmer leaders in upgrading and managing commodity value chains, which will assist in formulating effective action plans for integrated production and marketing strategies related to specific crops. Specific outcomes of the workshop included a stronger understanding of dialogue mechanisms and information sharing, and how to motivate parties to get involved in the value chain. More practical outcomes were seen as well, such as detailed action plans for upgrading value chains in the ginger, pineapple, sweet potato, and golden apple industries. Mr. Greene went on to express his gratitude to the participants, stating how very impressed [he] was by the level of sophistication and quality of participants throughout the workshop. FAO representative Heiko Bammann and IICA member Robert Reid, also expressed their positive impression from the participants, and commended CaFAN on their efforts in putting together a very successful workshop.

CaFAN Members meet

Amidst the whirlwind of regional workshops and meetings for the year 2011, CaFAN took the opportunity to hold two membership meetings. The first meeting took place on July 18th, 2011 at the Princess International Hotel in Guyana and brought together CaFAN members to discuss the following: 1) Overview of CaFAN during the years 2) CaFAN Constitution 3) Strategic Plan 4) CaFAN Publications (Newsletters) 5) CaFAN partnership with CTA, FAO, CARICOM and COLEACP 6) Representation at COTED 7) CaFAN Joint Marketing Proposal A follow up meeting was later held on September 27th 2011 at the Blue Horizon Hotel in Barbados. The main purpose for the meeting was to present an updated CaFAN Constitution which was discussed at the previous meeting in Guyana. Members received a copy of the official Constitution that was compiled based on input and suggestions from across the region, and vetted and approved by a lawyer. Certain key items were discussed such as establishing membership fees for all organisations, setting up focal points in each country, and electing an executive board. Mr. Greene expressed his concern that all organisations have an equal voice, thus explaining the flat rate membership fee, regardless of organisation size. He further stated that the Constitution was drafted to be as inclusive as possible, in order to encourage greater membership. The Constitution will be invoked later this year, once all 2011 membership fees are collected. A total of 26 members were in attendance. Along with the Constitution, major topics of discussion included outcomes of the workshop in Guyana, the COTED submission, and the Members Needs Survey, as well as matters related to CaFANs strategic plan moving forward and the continuation of the Roots and Tubers Project. Members were informed of upcoming agricultural events around the world that will be attended by CaFAN members, including the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Dominica. Looking ahead, members were asked to begin planning activities for CaFANs 10th anniversary in January. Members were also reminded to pay 2011 membership fees and encouraged to submit articles for the newsletter to increase information sharing.

Participants of the Value Chain Training Workshop

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

Highlighting the Belle Vue Farmers Cooperative, St. Lucia

Belle Vue Farmers Cooperative held its 15th Annual General Meeting on Thursday 30th June, 2011 with the new theme Building upon success, Expanding Community Participation. Belle Vue was commended by Cooperatives on their success development over the past years recognized as the best and leading Lucia. the Registrar of in growth and and have been cooperative in St. facility for supporting crop production, and a marketing revolving fund to buffer timely payments to farmers for their produce. They also provided computers and office equipment to facilitate improved administrative and financial management. Very importantly, they introduced the farmer counterpart programme, which helped the cooperative to collect data information of crop production, and planning and monitoring of crops until they are ready to harvest for marketing. This operation strengthens the linkage between farmers and buyers through the availability of data information on production and market demands. 5. Through the Ministry of Agriculture an acre of organic pineapples was established under the European Union special framework of assistance 2006. The project was funded by the FAO and the intention was to use the farm as a demonstration plot to encourage farmers to introduce new methods to grow pineapples. Belle Vue Farmers Cooperative intends to continue fostering partnerships which have provided opportunities for growth. Photo: Mr. Mark Remy President of the Belle Vue Farmers Cooperative Society Limited.

Mr. Tom Kurk, Peace Corps volunteer associated with the cooperative, presented the conditions report for the financial year ended 31st December 2010 with growth from increased revenue which resulted a net surplus for the organisation. There was also an increase in net assets and members equity for the year. Belle Vue cooperative derives its revenue from four operation centers: input supply stores, marketing of farm produce, nursery for production of seedlings, and organic farm production of herbs and vegetables. Belle Vue secretary Miss Vincentia Fatal presented the Board of Directors report. The year under review was one of the most challenging periods as the country experienced a prolonged dry period followed by hurricane Tomas. Hurricane Tomas wreaked havoc on the agricultural sector during its passage on October 31st and seriously affected Belle Vue farmers production and marketing. Despite these negative impacts, Belle Vue underwent several joint ventures with social partners in keeping with the theme of fostering partnerships through agricultural development. These partnerships include the following: 1. Office for private sector relations (OPSR) assisted in the cocoa cassava project aimed at revitalizing the cassava/ferine cottage industry in the community. 2. FAO provided funding for the Value Chain Salad Fruit Project which seeks to add value by packaging, slicing and processing in an effort to increase production to meet market demands. 3. Global Environmental Fund (GEF) project seeks to encourage farmers to use local materials in the production of compost in an effort to grow organic, thus reducing their dependency on inorganic fertilizers and other materials use in farm practices. 4. OXFAM Great Britain has been of tremendous support in the area of strengthening the linkage between agriculture and tourism through Belle Vue. They provided funds for procurement of farm inputs such as seeds, pesticides, fertilizers and irrigation equipment for increased production, a supply credit

Belle Vue Coop is the CaFAN Focal point in St. Lucia. Speaking at a CaFAN recent workshop, newly elected President of the Belle Vue Coop, Mr. Mark Remy says, We are going to build on our success over the past and expand on our operations through community participation. In the coming years we will direct our emphasis towards the development of our youth and women in agriculture thereby creating that environment where our youth will be encouraged to be part of that sector and our women will be motivated to show greater participation in the development of agriculture.

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

CaFAN FAO EU AAACP UPDATES

The European Union All ACP Agricultural Commodities Programme (EU AAACP) will come to a close in November 2011. The Programme was launched in September 2007 as an initiative of the European Commission and the ACP Secretariat and had a duration of three years. The overall objective of the Programme was to improve the livelihoods of producers in commodity dependent ACP countries. Through CaFAN, support was provided to the Roots and Tubers Sector, after this sector was identified at a Caribbean (Kick-off) Consultative workshop which was held in April 2008 in Jamaica. The programme saw four CaFAN members receive support to build their organisations capacities to support the production and marketing of roots and tubers, as well as support to the CaFAN Secretariat to coordinate the four national projects and to share the lessons learnt with the rest of CaFAN membership. Lessons learnt from the national projects were shared at the EU AAACP Caribbean Final Lessons Learnt workshop th which took place from September 26-28 , 2011 at the Blue Horizon Hotel in Barbados.

CaFAN Updates
The CaFAN Secretariat has received to-date a total of USD $238,010, which includes the hosting of three regional workshops during the period 20082011 and country visits to national projects. CaFANs main support under the LoA was to coordinate and provide guidance to national country activities.

NEFO Updates
To date, the North East Farmers Organisation (NEFO) in Grenada has signed two letters of agreement for the purpose of documenting its business model and developing and implementing an upgrading strategy. Included in the strategy was training in the areas of production and marketing. Under their final letter of agreement, NEFO had conducted training in Project Preparation, Proposal Writing and Resource Mobilization; Pest and Disease Management and Control; Standards from the Grenada Bureau of Standards; and Agri-business Management for Small Farm Enterprises. A session was also conducted by CaFANs Chief Coordinator on how to expand and strengthen CaFAN and NEFO membership in Grenada. The final activities to be completed are a Study Tour to Trinidad and Tobago and a Buyer Grower Evaluation Workshop.

Photo: (1) Members of NEFO in field & (2) Members receive training

GAPA/KKFCLA Updates
Like NEFO, the Guyana Agricultural Producers Association (GAPA) had signed two Letters of Agreements to support the farmers of the Kuru Kururu Farmers Crop and Livestock Association. Under its final agreement, activities included training workshops on marketing, agro-processing, packaging, labeling and certification, and business and farm management. There will also be a Grower- buyer meeting on lessons learnt and field trips in advanced farm production & planning, and packaging & marketing. Under the programme, GAPA partnered with the Ministry of Agriculture Extension Service, the National Agricultural Research Institute (NARI) and the New Guyana Marketing Corporation (NewGMC), who provided support during project implementation. GAPA has already requested that the Ministry of Agriculture assist in strengthening the work started by the EU AAACP to continue to support the farmers of Kuru Kururu, including sharing the lessons learnt to other farmers groups which fall under the coordination of GAPA.

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

CPGCA Updates

Sweet and Irish Potato packaged

ECTAD Updates

As part of the EU AAACP Programme, the Christiana Potato Growers Cooperative Association (CPGCA) in Jamaica signed three letters of agreement. Activities included trainings, setting up demonstration plots, improving its database system, updating its database, and the production of farm videos to show the lessons learnt under the project. Through the training of the trainers programme, technical advice was given to farmers in the various districts before the preparation of the land for potatoes taking into account climatic changes. This resulted in increased yields per farmer averaging 40-60%. As a result of the support offered by CaFAN and by the programme, CPGCA was able to reestablish relationships with farmers in which CPGCA received over 145,000 lbs and sold over 142,000lbs from spring crop 2011 of potatoes. They also established an agreement with Pricemart supermarket to accept the potatoes in labeled 5lb bags and deliver in crates receiving 16% more on the normal price sold.

Participants of the Final Lessons Learnt and Evaluation Workshop The Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture and Development Organisation (ECTAD) based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines also signed three letters of agreement during the duration of the project. These included trainings, establishment of a database, setting of up field officers to help gather production information, along with other activities aimed to help ECTAD plan its marketing programme. The final activity under the programme was a Final Lessons Learnt and Evaluation Workshop, which was held at the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Chamber of Industry and Commerce (SVGCIC) Conference room Tuesday September 13th, 2011. It brought together over 40 participants including ECTAD farmer leaders, farmers, students of the Bishops College Kingstown, and agriculture stakeholders. The opening ceremony heard remarks from Mr. Arnold Thomas, Executive Director of the SVGCIC; Mr. Lesley Grant, representative within the Ministry of Agriculture; Dr. Gregory Robin, CARDI Country Representative; Mr. Michael Dalton, IICA Representative; and Mr. Jethro Greene, ECTAD Chief Coordinator. Ms. Nyasha Durrant, Administrative Officer for ECTAD and Project Coordinator for the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN) gave a brief overview of the EU AAACP programme and an overview of all activities implemented by ECTAD from 2009 to present. The main activities discussed and evaluated during the meeting included farmers trainings conducted in seven villages of St. Vincent during the month of August 2011. Discussions were also held on how to strengthen ECTAD farmers counterpart programme, which was set up in early 2011. This programme is unique and allowed for experienced farmers to work as field officers to help build and strengthen farmers capacities within their respective zones by employing good agricultural practices on their farm and to work together in groups and clusters.

AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

CaFAN attended PROINVEST Closure Workshop

Ms. Nyasha Durrant, Administrative Officer of the CaFAN Secretariat represented the Network at a PROINVEST CARIBBEAN Closure workshop held May 30-31 2011 at the Accra Beach Hotel in Barbados. The workshop was designed to bring together private sector representatives and officials from regional organisations and the EC, drawing on trade experts and the experience of businesses in the Caribbean. It was also aimed at empowering regional economic groupings and regional associations to be able to work more effectively with ACP private sector organisations and to create an enabling environment for international and donor organisations to look at the follow up of some of the activities that will be showcased. Ms. Durrant was asked to sit on a panel to discuss and present Success stories and best practices in export marketing. The Panel also included representatives from the following organisations: Caribbean Community/ Office of Trade Negotiations (CARICOM/OTN) Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Secretariat (Export Development Unit) Jamaica Exporters Association (JEA) Jamaica Promotions Agency (JAMPRO) Mr. Alvin Murray, General Manager of Christiana Potato Growers Cooperative Association in Jamaica; Ms. Magdalene Niles, Administrative Officer of North East Farmers Organization in Grenada and Ms. Keeley Holder of the Barbados Agriculture Society were also in attendance.

Ms. Nyasha Durrant

CTAs Independent Evaluation Workshop

Ms. Nyasha Durrant also represented CaFAN and ECTAD at an Independent Evaluation of CTA Learning Workshop, held at the Normandie Hotel in Trinidad and Tobago from June 16-17, 2011. The evaluation was carried out by Paula Bilinsky from the Centre for Development Innovation. The Centre was also contracted by CTA to carry out similar evaluations in the five regions of the ACP in which CTA operates. The main objective of the workshop were for the evaluators to learn from the experiences of each organisations partnership with CTA, for participants to get acquainted with the CTAs new strategic plan for 2011-2015, and how, as partners, we can contribute to its implementation to ensure that CTA moves ahead in an effective and efficient way with its new strategic plan. CTAs three main strategic goals discussed at the workshop were: Strategic goal 1: To strengthen ACP agricultural and rural development policy processes and strategies: to support well informed, inclusive agricultural policy and strategy development processes in each ACP region that empower key stakeholders, particularly smallholder producers, women and youth, and contribute to sustainable food and nutritional security and income growth. Strategic goal 2: To enhance priority agricultural value chains: to promote innovation, value addition, investments, trade and markets that sustain ACP priority value chain development, especially for small-scale producers. Strategic goal 3: To enhance ACP capacities in information, communication and knowledge management for agricultural and rural development: CTA will aim to strengthen the ICKM capacities of ACP institutions and networks to effectively engage in and promote policies, strategies, innovations and value chains that benefit rural communities. Improved ICKM for ARD should lead to better decision-making, better implementation of decisions at all levels, and ultimately improved livelihoods for rural people.

In October 2010, Mr. Jethro Greene of CaFAN was the sole representative from the Caribbean region to attend CTA Strategic Planning Workshop in the Netherlands. He made many valuable contributions which were included in the CTA Strategic Plan for 2011-2015.

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AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

Agri-summer programme for Antiguan youth

The TEAM Fresh Produce Cooperative, the only CaFAN member in Antigua, held a youth summer camp with a focus on agriculture from 18-29 July 2011. The GARD Centre and the Environmental Awareness Group (EAG) were engaged in planning and hosting the exercise, which was aimed at attracting 60 young people between the ages of nine and sixteen years of age. According to Pamella Thomas of TEAM Fresh Produce Cooperative, the youth summer camp was influenced by the economic slowdown in Antigua and Barbuda. It was held under the theme GROW, the acronym for Gaining Respect for the Outdoors and Our World.

During the camp, participating youths were sensitized to appreciate that agriculture is not a job for little old people and that there are a number of career paths within the agricultural sector, such as agronomy, extension officers, equipment operators, agricultural mechanics and engineers, as well as farming itself. We want them to see farming as not only a hobby or something just merely to occupy themselves, but as something that they can do as a business, Thomas said. TEAM Fresh Produce Cooperative, located at Potters, St. Johns, Antigua, has been in operation for just over a year, harvesting and delivering fresh produce on the same day to hotels. TEAM Fresh Produce Cooperative purchases five commodities - butternuts, cucumbers, tomatoes, sweet peppers, and lettuce - from farmers across Antigua and sells them to five hotels.

GAPA strengthening clusters

The GAPA official also disclosed that demonstration plots are being set up for particular crops in areas that are suited for such crops. Focus is being placed on roots and tubers eddoes and cassava and fortunately, GAPA has benefited from an FAO Project to specifically develop the root crops where we can build some capacity and provide farmers with linkages to markets and to consumers as well as do some experiments where we are able to increase production and gain maximum returns on productivity. He said nontraditional crops are mainly fruits and vegetables such as the regular cash crops in Guyana bora, tomato, egg plant, water melon, etc. For too long the major cry of small farmers has been inadequate market access. Efforts are being made through USAID to engage farmers in contract farming so that they are able to be contacted by importers, thereby guaranteeing markets for the farmers. He added that there has been a lot of spoilage in the fields, particularly with eggplant (boulanger), which is not being exported in the desirable quantities because of the additional lack of proper market arrangements. However, through the CaFAN network efforts are being made to create linkages with markets in the region. Mangal is confident that should there be regular markets for nontraditional crops in the Caribbean, the GAPA producers will not encounter shipping problems since there are adequate ships available and willing to respond to requests from farmers to transport produce.

The Guyana Agricultural Producers Association (GAPA) has moved into a direction where we have to strengthen our clusters because we are the national focal point for all nontraditional farmers in the country and we realize that more and more emphasis is being placed on clusters. In his regard, we have moved to strengthen the capacity of members of a number of clusters by installing demonstration plots. In explaining this new direction, Steve Mangal, explained that erratic production has been a major issue in certain areas of nontraditional farming in Guyana. So our take has been to do the demonstration plots, do the best practices so that the small farmers who are exposed to these plots adapt the best practices.

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AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

CaFAN happy to join with COLEACP

Mr. Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator of CaFAN has been at the vanguard of developing agriculture in the Caribbean for two and a half decades. He met representatives of COLEACP in Grenada at the Caribbean Week of Activities in October 2010 and in quick time managed to develop a working relationship between CaFAN and COLEACP, which spawned a fast tracked workshop April 4-5 2011 in St. Lucia on how COLEACP can support CaFAN. According to Greene, the Caribbean Week of Activities is a worthwhile exercise that is improving with every new issue. He was impressed by the presentation of COLEACP at the Caribbean Week of Activities in Grenada and felt the entity could help CaFAN build its capacity to market quality produce on behalf of small farmers. Pointing to the speed in which COLEACP was able to sponsor a workshop to indicate the types of assistance it can give to CaFAN, Greene said that Mr. Guy Stinglhamber, Director of the COLEACP Brussels Office, has a background of dealing with small farmers making it was very easy to deal with him. Hes a man of action like myself, Greene said during a break in the workshop. Very rarely, you find programmes where south and north move that rapidly. But when he said he wanted a draft outline of possibilities, within a week it was on my desk and when the opportunity came for me to go to Brussels for the briefing sponsored by the CTA (earlier this year), I used the opportunity as part of my agenda to get FAO to help me stay longer to meet with COLEACP and I found that they had a draft outline of a potential agreement. Now, here we are, less than a month, at the stage of drafting a technical cooperation agreement, which we expect the first draft would be ready by the end of April. Right now, we have the semblance of an outline. Our members are working on prioritizing their needs and twinning it with the kinds of technical assistance that COLEACP PIP Programme can bring. Speaking to Top Soil and AGRIVYBZ during the CaFAN/COLEACP two day workshop held in St. Lucia on 4 and 5 April, 2011, Stinglhamber said that he wants Mr. Greene to be part of COLEACP not only for the benefit of CaFAN, but also to be on the Board of Directors to make decisions as COLEACP needs someone of Greenes caliber to represent ACP and the south in general. COLEACP is made up of producers, exporters and importers, Stinglhamber said. Generally, the importers set the standards. So, for CaFAN to become a member of COLEACP and to even go further by sitting on the Board of Directors would present a unique opportunity for Caribbean small farmers to be part of the decision making processes and reduce the dissatisfaction they currently feel about the value chain. Reiterating that the main aim of COLEACP is to provide the link between the production and the market, Stinglhamber said that COLEACP-PIP is a membership organization but in the last ten years, it has gained ten times more ACP members and decreasing numbers of European members. He added that this is an issue that needs to be addressed. Greene is excited that CaFAN is being lined up to become a member of COLEACP since the latter sells produce on the European market. The technical assistance that COLEACP is willing to give is going to greatly enhance CaFANs capacity to produce quality goods for the market. We look forward to that kind of engagement. On June 14th, 2011, Mr. Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator of CaFAN, traveled to Brussels to attend PIP Consultative Committee and to present on New market requirements: turning challenges into opportunities for ACP countries. The objective of the meeting was to bring together and enable producers, exporters and importers of fruit and vegetables to share their experiences on sustainability.

Mr. Jethro Greene, speaking to one of the participants at the COLEACP Committee Meeting in Brussels, June 2011

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AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

Caribbean Week of Agriculture, 2011

The 2011 Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) was held in Dominica from October 9th 15th under the theme Caribbean Food and Nutrition Security in a Changing Climate: The Nature Island Experience. CaFANs participation at the Week of Agriculture was sponsored by the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) under the European Union ALL ACP Agricultural Commodities Programme (EU AAACP). CaFAN participated in the trade fair exposition; the Thirty-Eighth Special Meeting of the Council for Trading and Economic Development (COTED) (Agriculture); the Meeting of the Alliance; Climate Change Adaptation in Caribbean Agriculture Enhancing Water Resources Management; CTA Agriculture Round Table Food & Nutrition Security Circle: connecting the dots; Farmers Forum and night; and the FAO Value Chain Seminar and the ALLIANCE Meeting.

Top Soil a one hour radio programme on agriculture

Top Soil is a one hour radio programme hosted by Roderick St. Clair, Marketing Manager of the Grenada Marketing and National Importing Board. The Programme can be heard live at 10.00AM EST on Fridays on the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) with rebroadcasts on Sundays at 11.00AM. One can also listen to the programme live online on classicgrenada.com.

dialogue about local, regional and international issues that impact agriculture, St. Claire told AGRIVYBZ in a recent exclusive interview. We try to focus on organisations and groups that are involved in the sector, St. Clair elaborated. We look at issues such as climate change, food import bills, and matters of safety, trends, technology and value addition. So, its really not limited to any one area because we also look at the history and how the cultural aspects of our region impact our farming methodologies, etc.

According to St. Clair, the interactive programme has grown appreciably in audience appeal since September 2010. He said the programme had appeared under different names in the past but it has been rebranded under the name Top Soil since September 2010 and has gained a wide local reach since the Grenada Broadcasting Network (GBN) is very popular within the St. Clair also stated that apart from the big issues, the programme is also geared to giving simple tips on farming country. such as how to prune a tree, the proper application of He claims that people follow the programme on line in China, fertilizer and when to plant on the ground. He added that Japan, Russia, North America and Mexico, and that people the programme is intended to cover serious issues but it also follow the programme within the wider Caribbean also includes a lighter side in the form of agricultural jokes from time to time. through the Pod Cast: www.topsoilcaribbean.com. The aim of the programme is to bring issues to the Stressing that Top Soil is an interactive programme, St. forefront where we discuss with the real personalities Claire said people can call in by telephone and by Skype. the shakers and movers in the agriculture sector so as The programme utilizes live as well as recorded interviews. to share information, hold different discussions and

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AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

CaFAN hosts Canadian Interns from the Coady International Institute Youth in Partnership Programme
The CaFAN Secretariat welcomed Stephanie Dewar and Christopher Attadia, two new interns from Canada, on st August 31 , 2011. The placement is part of an agreement signed between CaFAN and Coady through the Youth in Partnership programme that gives Canadian university graduates experience working with development organisations in their fields of study. The program helps them increase their understanding of global development issues while contributing to the Coady Institutes overseas partnerships. The program is also aimed at providing experience that will improve participants' employment opportunities when they return from their internship. The programme lasts a total of six months and is funded by the Government of Canada through the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA).

Lets meet Chris and Stephanie

Christopher Attadia I graduated from Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, with an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in marketing. I have an avid interest in agriculture and sustainability and love to play soccer among many other sports. One day I hope to have a garden big enough that I can live off of. What I hope to gain from this internship is a greater understanding of farming and agriculture at the regional and local levels. I have a keen interest in farmers rights, and I am excited to learn as much as I can from visiting local farms. As a marketing student, I hope to develop a new set of skills that I can apply in the business world back home.

Stephanie Dewar My background in marketing, experience working on farms, and interest in sustainable agriculture have been my motivation for this COADY Youth in Partnership placement. In 2010 I graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce in marketing and international business from McGill University and someday hope to have an organic farm of my own. I grew up on Prince Edward Island, a small province in Canada primarily dependent on its agricultural sector, and I see many similarities with Saint Vincent. I am excited to see more of this beautiful country and work closely with the farming communities. I am eager to learn more about regional crops, participate in workshops, meet local farmers, and contribute to the exceptional work of this organization in enhancing the agricultural sector of the Caribbean.

Past Interns were Laird Herbert & Paula Hearn (July 08 January 09), Richard Kirkham & Marcia McCune (March 10 September 10) and Dave Rideout & Sadaf Kashfi (September 10 February 11)

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AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

ECTAD Field officers received training

The CaFAN Secretariat, under the FAO EU AAACP provided training to its field partners in areas of Farm Management and Production Planning in July, 2011. Trainings were conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture, IICA, CARDI and CaFAN.

OTHER WORKSHOPS ATTENDED BY CAFAN DURING 2011

Event
June 15, 2011 CTA 23rd Brussels Briefing July 20, 2011 Com4Dev e-platform, Barbados July 11 - 17, 2011 Technical Working Group Meeting, Belize September 19-20 CARICOM Technical Working Group Meeting September 19-20, 2011 Com4Dev Convention of in Brussels September 29 and 30, 2011 EU Dissemination Workshop, Barbados

Important Update
The CARICOM Secretariat invited CaFAN to be part of the Council of Trade and Economic Development (COTED) as a critical player in the regional agricultural sector. CaFAN was therefore represented at the Officials and the Ministerial meetings of the COTED and presented its paper, Linking Small Farmers to Market which emanated from the Production and Marketing Workshop held in Guyana in July 2011. COTED was given an overview of the outcomes and recommendations emanating from the meeting. Among the activities CAFAN invited the COTED to support were the two proposed regional pilot projects proposed by its producers, namely: a. Linking Agriculture to Health and Nutrition Project; and b. Regional Integrated Production and Marketing Project. CaFAN also stressed the need for: a. Strengthening of the capacity of regional and national producer organizations to provide technical support to their members to effectively participate in production trade chains; b. Implementing programmes to promote the production and utilization of nutritious Caribbean foods; c. Establishment of a bridge financing fund to facilitate the timely payment of producers who sell to domestic, regional and extra- regional markets. The COTED meeting was held in Dominica during the Caribbean Week of Agriculture, 2011.

Attended by
Mr. Jethro Greene Ms. Ipha Miguel Ms. Tasheka Haynes Mr. Jethro Greene Mr. Jethro Greene Mr. Roderick St. Clair Ms. Telojo Onu Mr. Jethro Greene Mr. Alvin Murray Mr. Evans Gooding Mr. Dhaniram Ramchand, Mr. Conroy Huggins

October 6-7, 2011 ECS Green Growth Investment Forum Brussels, Belgium October 25 -25, 2011 Pacific Dissemination Workshop Fiji November 15-18, 2011 International Conference on Innovations in Extension and Advisory Services Nairobi Kenya

Mr. Jethro Greene Mr. Jethro Greene

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ABOUT AGRIVYBZ
Agrivybz is the official newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN). It was first introduced in 2007, through the financial support of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation.
AGRIVYBZ is the official Newsletter publication of the Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

AGRIVYBZ is produced quarterly and provides information on CaFAN activities carried out by the CaFAN Secretariat and members of the Network. Users of the Newsletter include CaFAN members, CaFAN partners and collaborators and end users of agricultural information.

ABOUT CAFAN
CaFAN is a legally registered non-profit, nongovernmental regional network of farmer organisations. CaFANs overall goals are to improve the quality of life for small farm families throughout the Caribbean region and to gain economic empowerment and sociopolitical independence in the agriculture sector. Its mission is to enhance Caribbean food and nutrition security, foreign exchange earnings and foreign savings by repositioning agriculture through the capacity building of farmers and the institutional strengthening of farmer organisations.

CONTACT US
In January 2012, CaFAN will celebrate its 10 year anniversary of existence.

ABOUT CAFAN MEMBERSHIP

CaFAN currently represents over 500,000 small farmers spread throughout 15 Caribbean countries, CaFAN member countries are Antigua & Barbuda, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Jamaica, Montserrat, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago,

Caribbean Farmers Network (CaFAN)

C/o Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture Development Organization (ECTAD) Beachmont P.O. Box 827, Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines cafanectad@gmail.com / cafancaribbean@gmail.com www.caribbeanfarmers.org Tel: (784) 453-1004 Fax: (784) 453-1239

ABOUT CAFAN SECRETARIAT

In 2006, the Eastern Caribbean Trading Agriculture and Development Organisation (ECTAD) based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines became CaFANs Secretariat and is responsible for the implementation and coordination of CaFAN programmes and activities. The Secretariat is led by Mr. Jethro Greene, Chief Coordinator. Most activities are carried out by a group of Technical Volunteers/Specialist who has been recruited by the Network to support in the work of agricultural development.

This document has been produced with the financial assistance of the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA-EU-ACP) However, the views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of CTA 16