Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsVolume 2 Issue 3 October 2013Message from the new In This Issue: Faculty Dean Section 1- Faculty Events Message from the Dean 1 The Faculty Loses Another Icon 2 of the Faculty will continue Divali Celebrations 3 with the task of putting in 4 place further management Ist Prizes Award Ceremony and administrative structures needed to enable it to discharge Geography Awareness Week 6 its duties and responsibilities. Caribbean Agriculture Undergraduate Offerings at Crossroads 7 Island Producers: Constraints and The Faculty currently offers Challenges 11 BSc level programmes in World Food Day Celebrations 12 Agricultural Science and Technology, Agribusiness Practical Skills 2013 14 Management, Human Ecology,Dr Isaac Bekele, Dean, Geography, Environmental and Protected Agriculture Workshop 16Faculty of Food andAgriculture Natural Resource Management History of Agricultural Extension 20 8The Faculty of the Food and Tropical Landscaping. and Agriculture began Section 2-Regional andits second year of operation In addition, the Faculty is International Eventswith new management.The task of rebuilding the poised to commence offering Caribbean Week of AgricultureFaculty for efficient, effectiveand timely discharge of its a two year undergraduatemandate, which began withthe formation of the new Diploma in Agriculture from - Food and Nutrition Security ProjectFaculty on August 1, 2012, is - CAEPNetbeing pursued in earnest. The August 2014. The new Faculty - Panel Discussionsfirst year of existence was ably - Film and Video Competitionmanaged by the Acting Dean, of Food and Agriculture - COTED MeetingProf Carlisle Pemberton, his - Exhibitions and Public AwarenessDeputy Deans and Heads of focuses on disciplinesthe three Departments. TheFaculty owes its gratitude to which deal with humanthe outgoing Dean, for hisstewardship of the Faculty. The sustenance and well-being,in-coming management team welfare as well as human and Section 3-Student Activities environmental sustainability. Compost Safety 17 The total number of students enrolled this academic Geography Students Attend Forum 18 year in the undergraduate Agriculture Students Win Best Booth programmes is over 910. 19 Postgraduate Programmes Layout and Design – Ms Sarojini Ragbir The number of programmes offered at the postgraduate Editors – Ms Sarojini Ragbir/ Continued on Page 2 Prof Lawrence Wilson
Page 2 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsMessage from the new Faculty Dean Continuedlevel will increase over time to cater for an independent and separate academic unit forincreasing demand for more specialized Agriculture, the need to introduce a special tracktraining areas. Currently, the Faculty offers for students with CSEC qualifications in relevantpostgraduate diplomas, taught Masters, Masters subjects, who would be interested in pursuing aof Philosophy and Doctors of Philosophy career in Agriculture, was clearly recognized.both on part-time and full-time bases. This Also, it was further noted that aacademic year, total enrollment in postgraduate matriculating programme like the pre-programmes in the Faculty is over 210 students. agriculture would be less suitable for the kind of agricultural graduates the Faculty plans to Short Courses and Workshops train. From experiences with admissions with pre-agriculture qualifications on the one hand,If there is one area that suffered neglect as a and Agriculture Diploma on the other, it wasresult of the merger of the Faculty of Agriculture clear that a Diploma track would be a betterwith Natural Sciences, it is the platform for mechanism for preparing high school graduatesshort courses. The Faculty’s mission will not be for an undergraduate programme in agriculturerealized wholly if it cannot revive its programme as long as the Diploma Curriculum properlyof short courses and offer them in an effective balances the Science and Technology on oneand efficient manner throughout the region. hand and the practical skills base on the other. The Department of Food Production Undergraduate Diploma in Agriculture at the time was already involved in review of the BSc Agriculture Curriculum in additionDuring the pre-merger phase, the Faculty of to Diploma/Associate Degree programmes ofAgriculture ran a one year pre-agriculture key regional institutions. Arising out of theprogramme as a matriculation exercise admitting discussion to revive a new track for preparingstudents with lower level qualifications. students interested in agriculture, the DepartmentDuring this phase, students admitted with set out to develop a curriculum for a two-yearpre-agriculture qualification formed 50% of undergraduate Diploma in Agriculture whichenrollment in both the undergraduate and will prepare CSEC holders for admissiongraduate programmes. Following the merger to BSc Agriculture with the primary goal ofin 1995/96, the pre-agriculture programme was admission to the diploma holders to the seconddiscontinued. During discussions to re-establish year of a three-year undergraduate programme. The Faculty Mourns the Loss of Another IconThe Faculty was thrown into mourning with He returned to Guyana Professor Emeritus the loss of yet another icon. On June 6th in 1957 to take up the Nazeer A Ahmad2013, Professor Emeritus, Nazeer A Ahmad, position ofAgriculturalof the Department of Food Production, passed. Chemist and Head ofProfessor Ahmad was born in 1932 in Dundee the Division of SoilVillage, Demarara, Guyana and was one of Science in the Ministrythe few surviving Associates of the Imperial of Agriculture.College of Tropical Agriculture (AICTA). Hewas an undergraduate student from 1949-1952 In 1961, Professor(DICTA) and postgraduate (AICTA) from 1952- Ahmad returned to1953. He went on to do his MSc in Canada (Mc Trinidad and TobagoGill University and the University of British and assumed theColumbia), and then did his PhD in the UK. position of lecturer at UWI, Faculty of
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 3The Faculty Mourns the Loss of Another Icon ContinuedAgriculture. He became a Professor of Soil care for undergraduate and postgraduate students,Science in 1969. He was also a Canada Hall with equal, perhaps greater, excellence thanwarden for a number of years and mentored his research on Caribbean and Tropical soils. Imany students from across the region. daresay that he is the most outstanding Caribbean Professor Ahmad’s work in Tropical Soil Scientist for at least the last 50 years. HeSoils is internationally acclaimed. He would also be ranked among the best for hisworked as a consultant in soil and land use knowledge and practical experiences utilised inworldwide. He authored and co-authored authoring this seminal work on Caribbean Soils”.over 200 scientific articles and three soil He received the title of Professorscience books. He was also a Lecturer, Senior Emeritus and was a member of the InternationalLecturer, Professor and former Head of the Society of Soil Science and the InternationalDepartment of Soil Science from 1961 to 1995. Board for Soil Research and Management. He According to Dr H Arlington D Chesney, was awarded the Inter-American Institute forauthor of the foreword for Professor’s Ahmad Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA) Gold Medalbook “Soils of the Caribbean” and one of for his contribution to research in Soil ScienceNazeer’s postgraduate students, “Dr Ahmad in the Caribbean and Latin American region.is singular and peculiar. He has contrived toaccompany his excellence in teaching with his Compiled by Prof Lawrence Wilson, Friend and ColleagueFaculty Celebrates Divali at The University Field StationFaculty staff and students weretreated to a culturalprogramme anddelicious lunch atThe University FieldStation (UFS), asthey joined theirHindu colleagues incelebrations of Divalion 31st October 2013. According tothe Dean, Dr IsaacBekele, who addressed Indar Ramroop and group performthe gathering, “Light is religious songssignificant in every religion, signifying purity, Divali queen andcleanliness and understanding”. He added, king, Nadia Ramtahal,“for the layman, light is considered knowledge postgraduate student in the MSc Cropand when there is no light, there is ignorance”. Protection Programme, The programme included singing of and Doodnath Persad, employee attached toreligious songs by a group led by Mr Indar the UFSRamroop from the Field Station. There werealso some fun activities, including modelingshowcasing Indian cultural garments, selectionof a king and queen, and audience prizes.
Page 4 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News Faculty’s Ist Prizes Award CeremonyFarmers RecognizedFive Farmers were honoured for theircollaboration with the UWIover the past 10 years atthe Faculty’s 1st AnnualPrizes Award Ceremony,which took place onMonday 21st October 2013.These farmers were MrMiguel Reyes (Wildlifefarmer), Mr Ramdeo Boondoo(Rootcrop farmer), MrRamdial Ramtahal (Vegetablefarmer), Mrs ShaleezaRamlogan (Vegetable (L-R) Dr Isaac Bekele (Dean), Mr Ramdial Ramtahal, Ms Shaleeza Ramlogan, Dr David Dolly, Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Mr Ramdeofarmer) and Dr Shango A Boondoo and Mr Miguel Reyes (missing, Dr Shango A Alamu)Alamu (Organic farmer). In appreciation, UWI St Augustine Campus, recognize the farmers. Professor Clement Sankat, Mr Barton Clarke, FAOfarmers were all awarded who gave the opening Representative for Trinidad remarks at the ceremony, was and Tobago and Surinamewith a cheque and a particularly pleased that the gave the keynote address at Faculty took the initiative to the ceremony.commemorative plaque. The Pro Vice-Chan-cellor and Principal of TheMeet some of our Outstanding First Class Honours Graduates Kenson Ricardo Richards rural Grenada. From a very Work and Technical Drawing early age he recognized the from forms 1-5 at his AlmaKenson Ricardo Richards value of education as the Mater.grew up with his grandmother impetus for getting out of Mid-way throughout hisin a very poor setting in poverty. He attended the teachinglife,and after attending Bonair Government School teachers college for 2 years, he (Primary) and the St Mark’s decided to pursue a Bachelor Secondary School and later, the of Science in Geography and Theophilus Albert Marryshow Agribusiness degree at The Community College where he UWI in September 2010. excelled. Upon completion of his college programme, he He was recently awarded entered the teaching profession a full scholarship to and later taught Geography, pursue a 2-year Master of Principles of Business, Environmental Studies in Agricultural Science, Wood Planning at the University of Waterloo, Ontario Canada.
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 5 Meet some of our Outstanding First Class Honours Graduates been involved in Agriculture as an Agricultural Assistant II, with his father, a retired CARONI 1975 Ltd worker. is also a Certified Emergency Renold attended St Medical Technician. Reynold, Stephen’s College and later the Eastern Caribbean Institute who delivered one of the of Agriculture and Forestry (ECIAF), where he graduated Valedictorian’s addresses in 1994. Before entering The UWI in September at the ceremony, urged his 2010, Renold attended the Agricultural Teacher Education fellow graduands to “become Center and graduated in 1997 with a Credit Diploma in leaders in our fields of study, AgricultureTeacher Education. Renold, who currently works at driven to impart changes from the Ministryof FoodProduction the status quo, becoming professionals and creating tangible resources that can Mr Renold Ramdial be used to create sustainableRenoldRamdial isfromPrinces enterprises that stand the testTown and was born and raisedin Tableland. He has always of time”. Renold hopes to return to The UWI to pursue an MPhil in Crop Science in 2014. Deeanna and Environmental St Augustine Campus. Sahadeo and Natural Resource Ms Sahadeo grew up in Management. This however, the small rural village ofDeeannaSahadeo completed has not been Deeanna’s Palmiste, where she spendsa Double major in Geography highest achievement as her weekends assisting in the earlier she received a National a small family-owned poultry Shivani Ramoutar Scholarship upon completion shop.Sheconsidershermother of CAPE. the strongest woman she has She is currently ever known. Her mother is pursuing a Master of also her greatest pillar of Science in Occupational strength and encouragement Safety and Health in the ever since she lost her Environment at The UWI father only 2 months ago. Shivani Ramoutar is one The UWI into her daily life. of the youngest graduates of Shivani takes pride in the The UWI, having received myriad of cultural expressions her BSc in Geography and which comprise her social, Agribusiness when she was religious and ethnic heritage. just 20 years old. While She attributes much of her young in age, Shivani’s success to the support of determination and drive God, her family, friends for excellence shows great and mentors over the years. maturity. Her passion for As she continues, she does Geography transcends her not plan to travel the easy academics as she makes road, for what good would real world connections and geographers be if they did not integrates her learning at go out to find something new?
Page 6 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsMeet some of our Outstanding First Class Honours Graduates continuedAlpha Sennon him to accompany him to the students?Yes we have attained garden. He developed a keen high academic achievement,Alpha Sennon is currently interest in rearing animals we got A’s, A+’s, first class and in the production of honours etc, but how do wepursuing an MPhil degree in citrus and vegetables. This plan to contribute and create led him to self-discovery and an impact or have a positiveAgricultural Extension. The a realization of his dream – a effect on society. Would the future in Agriculture. first class on your certificatemain focus of his research Alpha is currently the do it, the answer is no, I urge President of the Agribusiness all of us to pool togetheris youth development in Society of UWI and also and pull all resources serves on several executive together and create a change,agriculture and privatizing membership positions onother leave behind a legacy”. Youth Agricultural boards.agricultural extension In his address to Other First Class awardees, he quoted from Honours students include:services in the region. John Dewey, “Failure is instructive; the person, who Gabriella Alphonso, Growing up in a small really thinks, learns quite as Safiya Beckford, Amber much from his failures as Charles, Kezia Dalrymple,town of Siparia, his father from his successes”. He told Jason Felix, Shaunelle awardees that “my main focus Hamilton, Zahra Holder,would always encourage tonight, however, is for us to Shenissa Pariag, Nikhail challenge ourselves and ask what is our way forward as Lutchmedial, Sarita Seepaul, Kafi Warner and Anika Lendor.Department of Geography celebrates Geography Awareness Week with the following activitiesSunday 17th November, 2013 movie open to all UWI for Geography, Geography in• Department hike to Turure students (Venue TBA) its place” (By invitation only)Water Steps (cost attached) Wednesday 20th November, 2013 FREE workshop, but space is(Book your seat by sending an - INTERNATIONAL GIS DAY limited, RSVP by Nov 18themail to [email protected]) • Geographic Information to [email protected] 18th November, 2013 Systems (GIS) in Education Friday 22nd November, 2013• Posterdisplayontheground Workshop for secondary school • Fun with the UWI Stfloor of the Sir Frank Stockdale teachers Augustine Geography ClubBuilding (week long display) • Secondary schools visit (geo games and activities open• A r t e f a c t s / S p e c i m e n the Geography Department to all UWI students and staff)display at the Alma Jordan Library • FREE on campus • FREE on-campusFoyer and 2nd Floor geography movie open to all UWI movie open to all UWIbook display (week long display) students (Venue TBA) students (Venue TBA)• FREE on-campus Thursday 21st November, 2013 Saturday 23rd November, 2013movie open to all UWI • Learn GIS Workshop open • UWI St Augustinestudents and staff (Venue TBA) to all UWI students and staff (no Geography Club field trip toTuesday 19th November, 2013 previous knowledge necessary) Gasparee Caves (cost attached)• Primary schools visit • Geography Forum & (Book your seat by sending anthe Geography Department Cocktail Reception: “A Place email to [email protected])• FREE on-campus
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 7 Caribbean Agriculture at the CrossroadsPro Vice-Chancellor and Principal, UWI the new global realities of agriculture and St Augustine Campus, Professor Clement its holistic contribution to developmentSankatdeliveredtheSirArthurLewis/Professor and strongly recommended a balancedGeorge Beckford Memorial Lecture to open strategy that recognises both the need forthe joint conference of the Caribean Agro import substitution as well as agriculturalEconomic society (CAES), the Caribbean Food diversification and the exports of products thatCrops Society (CFCS) and the International could be described as uniquely West Indian.Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS). The Such a strategy, Professor Sankat argued,conference took place at the Hyatt Regency in should leverage agriculture’s role as one thatPort-of-Spain from June 30th to July 5th 2013. is greater than farms and farming but that is at According to Campus News, July the same time a series of activities interwoven4th 2013, using the theme \"Caribbean in the socio-economic fabric of our countries.Agriculture at the Crossroads\", Professor In addition to the presentationsSankat took a critical look at the state of of research papers and a field trip, theagriculture worldwide, agreeing with Lester participants enjoyed cocktails at the CampusBrown of the Earth Policy Institute that “we Principal’s office and a banquet and awardsare entering a new era of rising food prices ceremony at the Capital Plaza Hotel.and spreading hunger. Food supplies are President of Guyana, Mr Donaldtightening everywhere and land is becoming Ramotar, gave the feature address atthe most sought-after commodity as the world the banquet and awards ceremony.shifts from an age of food abundance to oneof scarcity. The geopolitics of food is fast Recipients of ISHS Commitment toovershadowing the geopolitics of oil. Armed Excellence Awardaggression is no longer the threat to our future.The overriding threats to this century are Professor Lawrence A Wilsonclimate change, population growth, spreading In recognition of distinguished teachingwater shortages and rising food prices”. and research in Postharvest Physiology and Professor Sankat suggested that the Biochemistryreasons for this food crisis include populationgrowth, urbanisation, the rapid development Professor Clement Sankatin East and South East Asia (China, India, In recognition of pioneering research inthe Philippines, etc.), natural disasters and Controlled Atmosphere Storage of Tropicalextreme climate events, rising oil prices, the Commoditiesconversion of food crops to biofuels, neglectedsupport for science technology and innovation Dr Lynda D Wickhamthrough research and development, and too In recognition of distinguished teaching,few countries in the world involved in the research and outreach activities in Post-global trade of staple foods. He also indicated production Technology of Tropical Commoditiesthat, in such an environment, countries likeTrinidad and Tobago and other Small Island Dr Mario FortuneDeveloping States (SIDS) are vulnerable and In recognition of distinguished research andthreatened by food shortages, noting that outreach activities in Plant Pathologythe region imports US $4 billion in food. He stated that an appropriate Dr Majeed Mohammedstrategy for agricultural development in the Medal and Certificate for Meritorious Service inCaribbean would be one that recognises Postharvest Physiology Recipients of CAES Distinguished Awards Prof Curtis Jolly Mr Winston Ramautarsing
Page 8 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News The Faculty participates in Caribbean Week of Agriculture in GuyanaThe Faculty of Food and Agriculture Security Research Fund for supporting this (FFA) was well represented at the project. In addition, as part of the project,Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA) in a technical workshop was held at the CWAGuyana (4th to 12th October 2013). The team for scientists and technicians in the region.was led by the newly appointed Dean, DrIsaac Bekele, and included Dr David Dolly, Launch of the Caribbean ExtensionDr Wayne Ganpat, Dr Isabella Granderson, Providers Network (CAEPNet)Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Dr Laura Roberts-Nkrumah, Dr Lynda Wickham, Professor The official launch of the CaribbeanNeela Badrie, Dr Marquitta Webb, Mr Terry Agricultural Extension Providers NetworkSampson and several graduate students. (CAEPNet) was held on Wednesday 9th October. The event was chaired by Mr KuldipSome of the main events in which the Faculty Ragnauth, Guyana Rice Development Boardparticipated were: the Food and Nutrition with opening remarks by Dr Isaac Bekele,Security Workshop, Launch of the Caribbean Dean, FFA. The feature address was givenAgricultural Extension Providers Network by the Minister of Agriculture for Guyana,(CAEPNet), panel discussions on Food and the Honourable Dr Leslie Ramsammy, whoNutrition Security for the Caribbean Region applauded the initiative, emphasised theand Changing Training Paradigms for absolute necessity of a renewed extensionIncreased Youth Engagement in Caribbean service in the current context of food andAgriculture, Launch of 2nd Caribbean Young nutrition security in the CARICOM Region andProfessionals Science and Agriculture Film extolled the potential benefits of the networkand Video Competition, COTED meeting for the region’s food and agriculture sector.and exhibitions. The feature address was followed by a panel discussion, chaired by Dr Lynda Food and Nutrition Security Project and WorkshopImproving the nutrition and health Deans of the Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry,of CARICOM is the goal of a 4-year University of Guyana, Owen Bovell (left), and ofproject, Food and Nutrition Security, being the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, University ofimplemented by The UWI and the University the West Indies, Isaac Bekeleof McGill, funded by the InternationalDevelopment Research Center (IDRC) Continued on page 9with financial support of the CanadianGovernment. The project is in its third yearand is being executed in St Kitts and Nevis,St Lucia, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago. On Tuesday 8th October an overviewand update on the project’s findings weremade to agriculture officials from the region.The officials commended the UWI/McGillUniversities for their initiative and thankedIDRC and the Canadian International Food
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 9The Faculty participates in CaribbeanWeek of Agriculture in Guyana ContinuedWickham, Deputy Dean, Outreach and (1) Food and Nutrition Security for the Internationalisation, FFA. Panellists were Ms Caribbean RegionJennifer Maynard, Agrotourism Specialist,Ministry of Tourism, Antigua and Barbuda This panel discussion sought to identifywho spoke on,“New demands on the mechanisms that UWI stakeholders feel aretraditional extension system; Mr Kemuel most applicable to yield the desired impactJn Baptiste, Chief of Extension, Ministry on food and nutrition security, to identifyof Agriculture, St Lucia, spoke on the topic methodologies that are already in place“How does traditional Extension confront to this end, and to address the challenge ofcurrent changes in extension” and Mr Barny how to change methods of utilisation andCallender, Head of Extension, Ministry consumer taste quickly enough to be readyof Agriculture, Barbados, spoke on “The for potential crisis. The main presenter wasway forward for traditional extension”. Mr Owolabi Elabanjo, Extension Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and COTED Meeting the Environment, Antigua and Barbuda, and graduate of the MSc Tropical CommodityAmong the issues discussed by Dean Isaac Utilisation Programme of the FFA. MrBekele at the COTED meeting on 11th Elabanjo presented the Food Security strategyOctober, which was attended by Ministers of Antigua and Barbuda through its backyardof Agriculture and country representatives gardening programme and that island’s Zeroof IICA, FAO, CAFAN, CARDI and UWI, Hunger Challenge initiative of which hewere the establishment of the CARICOM is the coordinator. The gathering noted theFood and Nutrition Security project, the tremendous success of the programme underformation of CAEPNet and the academic the leadership of Mr Elabanjo, its impact onprogrammes being offered by the faculty. food security, income generation, importation The Dean also outlined decisions of of some food items and on povertyThe UWI to establish a Faculty Advisory alleviation in the more vulnerable areas.Board with the main objective of improving The discussion concluded that whilelinkages with regional stakeholders. The the approach has proven to be successful inDean also advised that work would start on Antigua and Barbuda, it is very likely thatagriculture human resource requirements in some modifications will have to be made forthe region. The Ministers of Agriculture noted other OECS Member States. The FFA plansall these initiatives and fully endorsed them. to keep abreast of developments with respect to this initiative and to lend support, where necessary, as part of its own outreach activities. Panel Discussions (2) Changing Training Paradigms for Increased Youth EngagementOn Thursday 10th October, the FFA held two in Caribbean Agriculturepanel discussions on (1) Food and NutritionSecurity for the Caribbean Region and (2) This panel discussion aimed to addressChanging Training Paradigms for Increased the declining interest of youth in trainingYouth Engagement in Caribbean Agriculture. towards pursuing careers in the food and agriculture sector. It sought to obtain Continued on Page 10
Page 10 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsThe Faculty participates in • Training groups on researchCaribbean Week of Agriculture in programmes must include participantsGuyana Continued responsible for effecting change, eg extensionists, policy makers, plannersviews of relevant stakeholders on how • Greater communications mustthe current approach to education and be established between institutions andtraining needs to be modified to result in stakeholders eg student/staff committee,increased youth engagement in the sector. internships, practical projects, up-to-date The main speakers for this panel Technology Advisory Boards.discussion were Dean Owen Bovell ofthe Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, Launch of 2nd Caribbean YoungUniversity of Guyana and Dean Isaac Bekele Professionals Science and Agricultureand Dr Laura Roberts-Nkrumah of the FFA.The audience included several students Film and Video Competitionof the two faculties whose views greatlyenriched the discourse, keeping it relevant The 2nd Caribbean Young Professionalsand guiding the outcomes of the discussion. Science and Agriculture Film and Video The presentations and discussions made Competition: Adding Value to Local Foodsrecommendations in areas of (a) training and was launched on Thursday 10th October.(b) research for agricultural development as The FFA was represented by the Dean,follows: Dr Isaac Bekele and Dr Lynda Wickham.(a) Training for Agricultural Development Exhibition and Public Awareness• Training programmes must keepabreast of topical issues eg climate change, The Food Security Project showcased afood import bill etc variety of visual displays. There was a game• Training must take into account the related to Food and Nutrition knowledgeneed for generalists and specialists which attracted the school children, several• Training must satisfy the need for videos highlighting the work conducteda multidisciplinary approach to problem across the region ran continuously in the boothsolving and factsheets were distributed to visitors.• Trainees and graduates must be Many newspapers, radio and televisionequipped to deal with both agricultural and interviews were conducted by project staff.social issues The FFA’s booth highlighted its teaching• Use of needs assessment surveys and research activities with major emphasisto develop competency–based curricula on ongoing research on breadfruit and wildlife• Specialists should work with one another husbandry. Information was distributedto provide an integrated approach to students on a range of topics in food, nutrition andon teaching and research for problem solving agricultural production to the general public• Practical experience of students should and proved to be of particular interest tolead to confidence in agribusiness enterprises young individuals from visiting high schools, the Guyana School of Agriculture and the(b) Research Curricula for Agricultural Faculty of Agriculture, University of GuyanaDevelopment The CAEPNet also had an exhibit, which informed visitors of its functions.• Research must be multidisciplinaryand establish a closer relationship with the Excerpts from Reports bycommunities served Drs Lynda Wickham and Wayne Ganpat
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 11 Island Producers: Food Processing Constraints and Food Safety Challenges“It is estimated that US$ 3.5 billion in both 135,820 acute gastroenteritis (AGE) cases infresh and processed foods are imported 2009, with 84% under-reporting, and that forinto the Caribbean. In agriculture, small every 1 case of AGE reported, an additionaland medium enterprises (SMEs) account 6.17 cases occurred in the community.for more than 70% of the main export Recently, the headlines in many dailycrops. These SMEs could range from newspapers in Trinidad and Tobago havesophisticated state-of-the-art facilities highlighted the closure of restaurants by publicto small artisanal operations producing healthinspectors.Onesuchheadline was “Foodtraditional foods for the local community.” court restaurants ordered closed by health inspectors” as reported by the Trinidad Express,This was stated by Professor Neela Badrie, August 2013, due to unsanitary conditions. According to a report by the Food andHead of the Department of Food Production, Agriculture Organisation, in 2005 some of the high risk factors of food-borne illness inwho was an invited speaker at the International 183 food service establishments inspected in 2000 were insects and rodent infestation, lackAssociation for Food Protection (IAFP) of food handling medical certificate, potential for cross contamination, lack of hand washingmeeting in Charlotte, USA on July 30th, 2013. facilities, unsafe food holding temperatures, unsanitary dishware and equipment, improper Professor Badrie’s speech food handling, poor personal hygiene, improper food storage, chemicals stored nearwas titled, ‘Island Producers: Food food and infected food handlers. The presentation at the IAFP meetingProcessing Constraints and Food also focused on the constraints to agro- processing and food safety challenges inSafety Challenges of Small and meeting the local, regional and international markets. It highlighted the prevalence of foodMedium Enterprises in the Caribbean”. borne illness in some Caribbean islands, the high risk incidents in hotels/resorts and in According to Professor Badrie, “The food service establishments, constraints to agro-processing, implementation of risk-burden of poor food safety and food-borne based food control strategies such as HACCP and Food Safety Modernisation Act (FSMA)diseases associated with processed food and the role of the newly formed Caribbean Agricultural Health and Food Safety Agency.products in Caribbean countries could be Submitted by Prof Neela Badrie, Headrelated in terms of human morbidity and Department of Food Productionpremature mortality and the economic andsocial costs imposed on developing Caribbeancountries. According to the CAREC (now theCaribbean Public Health Agency -CARPHA)surveillance base during the review period1981-2005, most of the 42,973 cases of food-borne illness were reported from Trinidadand Tobago (38%), Bahamas (34%), Jamaica(8%) and Antigua and Barbuda (7%). InTrinidad and Tobago, an annual averageof 633 cases was reported over the period(range: low of 102 cases in 1981 to high of1,308 cases in 1990). In a recent “Burden ofIllness Study (BOI)” conducted in Trinidadand Tobago by researchers from the Facultyof Food and Agriculture, University of theWest Indies, St Augustine, the CaribbeanPublic Health Agency and Public HealthAgency, Canada estimated that there were
Page 12 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News The Faculty Celebrates World Food DayThis year’s World Food Day theme was Sankat, who gave the welcome remarks, “The Sustainable Food Systems for Food venue chosen to hold this Candle Light VigilSecurity and Nutrition and once again the in celebration of World Food Day 2013 is noFaculty celebrated by participating in the coincidence! I feel very proud to say that thisagricultural exhibition in Port of Spain, (16th venue was deliberately chosen as it holds greatOctober) hosted by the Ministry of Food significance for agriculture in Trinidad andProduction; the agricultural exhibition in Tobago, the wider Caribbean region, and yes,Tobago (15th -17th October), hosted by the the world! The building we are standing inTobago House of Assembly; and UWI hosted front of, is actually the Administrative Centrea candle light vigil on Campus (17th October). and Library of the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture (ICTA), the forerunner to the UWI Candle Light Vigil St Augustine Campus! In fact, it was right here, that the then Faculty of Agriculture (and theThe vigil was a simple ceremony which Campus) opened its doors in October 1960 tolinked the aspirations of the global 67 students (39 undergraduate in the new BSccommunity with individual commitments to Agriculture programme, and 28 postgraduates)“Eradicate Extreme Poverty and Hunger”, inherited from ICTA, and the rest is history!”Millennium Development Goal Number One. The Prinical applauded the faculty for Every year, World Food Day provides a hosting the vigil at this site and stated, “…yousobering reminder that, in a world of plenty, more have given The UWI St Augustine Campus,than 840 million people go hungry each day. especially through our new Faculty of Food The venue chosen for the vigil was and Agriculture, an opportunity to re-dedicateThe UWI Main Administration Building. ourselves to the mandate of contributingAccording to Pro Vice-Chancellor and towards a sustainable future for the people ofPrincipal of the Campus, Professor Clement our country and region through teaching and learning, and research and innovation in the areas areas of food production and agriculture. Indeed, I am a strong proponent that if one’s society is to develop sustainably, oneParticipants in front of Main Administration Building- Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal ofFrom right Dean Isaac Bekele; UN Resident the Campus, Professor Clement SankatCoordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, MrRichard Blewitt; Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal leads the vigilof the Campus, Professor Clement Sankat and hisdaughter; Deputy Principal, Professor Rhoda Reddock;FAO Representative, Mr Barton Clarke; CampusRegistrar, Mr Richard Saunders; and other attendees.Far left, Patricia Jaggasar-Clement and children
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 13The Faculty Celebrates World Food Day Students using the bodyContinued composition monitor andcannot neglect the importance of developing scale toa strong and sustainable agriculture sector”. calculate According to the Dean, who served as weight,Chairman of the proceedings, “We live on a body fatplanet where each hour approximately 920 percentage,persons die due to hunger. This, in a nutshell, visceral fatmeans roughly the size of the population of staff levels, skeletaland students of UWI in St Augustine perishes muscle andeach day for lack of food. The irony of it all Body Massis that over 1.6 billion persons alive today are Index levelsoverweight and face lifestyle health risks”. Mr Barton Clarke, FAO Representative Agricultural Exhibitionsfor Trinidad and Tobago and Surinamegave the message from the FAO’s Director In Tobago the World Food Day CelebrationsGeneral and Mr Edric Harry, Policy Analyst were held at the Dwight Yorke Stadium. Staffand Planning Specialist, IICA, affirmed andstudentsfromtheDepartmentsofAgriculturalhis institution’s commitment to assist with Economics and Extension, Food Productionthe eradication of poverty and hunger. and the Agribusiness Society interacted with A pledge to contribute to ending hunger patrons and distributed educational informationin the world and enabling all our fellow on programmes offered by the Faculty. Keenhuman beings to enjoy their right to food interest was generated for the New Diploma inwas read by Ms Zakita Bethel, President, Agriculture, scheduled to begin in August 2014.Agricultural Society of the Faculty of Staff and students from the HumanFood and Agriculture (students’ group). Ecology programmes conducted bodyCassava sticks were donated by the Golden composition measurements on patrons,Grove Prison, inArouca to particpants. More than including height, weight, waist and hip100 people attended the vigil, including UWI circumference measurements, body massstaff and students, Ministry of Food Production index (BMI), bioelectrical impedance analysispersonnel and members of the general public. (BIA) including body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage and visceral fat level. Teaching Assistant, Micah Martin explains Patrons were given demonstrations on composting to primary school children at healthy eating by the use of the food models and the “Caribbean six food group charts”. Port of Spain exhibition Patrons enjoyed sampling vegetarian peas and beans patties, and goat cheese making demonstrations. The Agribusiness Society had a display depicting the value chain process using cocoa and cassava. Hydroponics and aquaponics systems were also on display. The exhibition at Port of Spain drew large numbers of students and members of the general public. Some expressed fascination with the compost model on display and a few students were brave enough to play with the worms from the compost container. Factsheets and information sheets were distributed on healthy eating, and agricultural production techniques of various crops.
Page 14 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News“Working Smarter not Harder”: The Practical Skills in Agriculture Experience 2013Ninety students registered for the and services that had been developed and AGRI1000: Practical skills programme in marketed by the students included freshMay-June 2013. The theme of the programme vegetable produce packages, breadfruit andwas, “Working Smarter Not Harder”. dasheen punch, coconut and sweet potato The practical skills programme, which flour, foot massages using a unique blendis normally conducted in the first year of of UFS herbs and several unique dishes.the degree programme, was designed with This practical skills programmetwo aims in mind. First, to allow students attempted to stimulate students to workto experience, in real time, the challenges together collaboratively by integratingand issues that farmers face in the field production, marketing, accounting, humanin the production of crops for market, the behaviour, and business environment conceptsrearing of broiler chicken for market and in management of agricultural businesses.the utilization of waste materials to design This year they worked closely with othera functional peri-urban garden space. The students enrolled in LSDP1000: Practicalrationale underpinning this first objective Skills in Landscaping. Together they mountedwas that students were not being equipped a grand sales day event on campus. Towith real-world knowledge and skills. The strengthen the students’ efforts, an open-daysecond objective was to provide experiences event was planned on the same day. Variousthat would assist these students to develop a stakeholders in the Agricultural Sector ofmarketing strategy for selling their produce and Trinidad and Tobago worked closely withdeveloping an agri-product using only produce students in these activities. These included:grown at The University Field Station (UFS). - The Agriculture Development Bank In the first week of the programme, (ADB) Mobile banking servicesstudents started their own seedling nurseries - Caribbean Agricultural Research andand established short term crops, prepared pens Development Institute (CARDI)for arrival of 1-day old chickens and identified - Sugarcane Feeds Centre (Aquaculture)waste materials from the UFS to design their - Marketing and Distributionperi-urban gardens. They were then requiredto start working on identifying crops grown The practical skills programmeat the UFS which can be used to develop a culminated with a cookout competition.new agri-product. They were also required, Students had the opportunity to practicewithin the first week, to develop a marketing their innovative culinary skills by preparingstrategy which would enable them to generate dishes using only ingredients from the farm.enough funds to return at least $1,000TTD The students pursuing the “Practical Skills into the Department of Food Production. Landscaping” assisted each group to enhance Dr Govind Seepersad conducted their general display and presentation.a session with students on developing a Students were judged by a panelmarketing strategy. Students had to form of expert judges and the UFS Manager’sa business, guided by a facilitator (usually trophy was given to the winners. Othera final year or postgraduate student). They prizes were sponsored by Nestlé, Associatedwere then required to develop a new product Brands, Matouks, several supportingor service that was simple and inexpensive staff members and graduate students.to produce using only material from UFSand with minimal external inputs. Products Continued on Page 15
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 15“Working Smarter not Harder”: The in the classroom. The students were veryPractical Skills in Agriculture Continued inquisitive and enthusiastic about what was presented to them. It was an informativeThe AGRI 1000: Practical skills programme exercise and a beneficial approach to2013 was indeed a success as it provided encourage innovation on career opportunitiesstudents with ‘hands-on’ experience and available to them upon graduation.the opportunity to apply the theories learnt Practical skills crop and livestock production activities at the UFSPractical skills openday and sales dayevents onSt Augustine Campus Practical skills cookout competition and prize giving at UFS Submitted by Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Lecturer, Department of Food Production
Page 16 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsImproving food and nutrition security through enhanced technologies: The Basics of Protected AgricultureThe Faculty of Food and Agriculture, • General crop production and Department of Food Production of TheUniversity of the West Indies partnered management Iwith Caribbean Agricultural Research andDevelopment Institute’s (CARDI’s) Country • General crop production andOffice to host a training workshop titled:“The Basics of Protected Agriculture” for management IIproducers and key stakeholders withinthe sector. The workshop was held from • Quality assuranceJune 11th – 13th, 2013 on the St AugustineCampus. The workshop exposed participants There was also a practical demonstrationto the basic principles and practices ofthe protected agriculture (PA) technology session where participants were exposed tothrough lectures and practical demonstrations. Thirty-four persons registered for the the design of fertigation systems and otherworkshop and included producers, membersof the Trinidad and Tobago Greenhouse components of PA that are necessary forGrowers Association, representativesfrom the Ministry of Food Production, successful crop production. The session wasUniversity of Trinidad and Tobago,Inputs Suppliers and Private Investors. greatly appreciated by the first time greenhouseThe workshop consisted of six modules,two of which were presented daily: operators.• Getting started in the protectedagriculture business A cadre of local and regional specialists• Establishment and maintenance ofprotected agriculture structures from UWI, CARDI and persons from the private• Crop establishment sector (Trinidad and Jamaica) facilitated the workshop and included Drs Gaius Eudoxie, Majeed Mohammed, Adesh Ramsubhag, Prof Neela Badrie and Mr Antonio De Gannes from the UWI and Mr Jervis Rowe (Jamaican PA Consultant), Mr Simon Bedasie, Mr Aziz Mohammed, Mr Alexander Benn (CARDI CFCS Consultants) and Ms Adanna Piggott, Scientist 1 (Protected Agriculture Technician and Crop Production Specialist), CARDI. Sessions were interactive and for each session pre and post knowledge assessments were conducted to determine the changes in knowledge and skill of participants. All participants were given a certificate of participation on completion of the workshop. The workshop was funded by the Common Fund for Commodities, European Union, the International Development Research Centre, and the Government of Canada, provided through the Canadian International Development Agency. Workshop participants and facilitators Submitted by Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Lecturer, Department of Food Production
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 17Compost Safety: Compost Microbes, Friends or FoesMs Vidya de Gannes, PhD Student of prolificans Cladophialophora arxii.the Department of Food Production, The clinical spectrum for most ofshares some of her research with us. these fungal pathogens is diverse and henceShe is supervised by Dr Gaius Eudoxie, is known to cause a wide range of diseasesDepartment of Food Production and Prof including infections of the lungs, skin andWilliam J Hickey from University of Wisconsin nails, allergies, asthma and pneumonia. Prior studies have provided insightComposting is a process whereby wastes about the presence of opportunistic fungal are converted into a stable/mature pathogens associated with composts, butproduct useful for plant growth. Microbes the deep sequencing presented in this study revealed the broadest spectrum of potentiallyplay key roles in this process. Fungi are pathogenic fungal species yet reported for a compostingstudyandthisisacauseofconcernone type of microbe that contributes for compost use and human health and safety. This study also revealed thatto the degradation of plant materials. both compost producers and users are at risk since the fungal pathogens were While compostisvaluedasaplantgrowth identified throughout the composting process. It is therefore recommended thatsubstrate, health hazards have been recognized compost producers and users wear safety protective equipment such as disposableas some fungi that inhabit these materials can gloves and face protection (goggles and face masks) when handling composts.cause a range of human diseases. However, not It should be noted however, that this present study provided anmuch is known about the presence of fungal indicator of the potential health threat in composts but additional bioassays ofhuman pathogens in compost. A new deep isolates are needed to assess virulence.sequencing technique, 454-pyrosequencingwas used to obtain a greater depth of fungalpathogens from composting substrates. Thistechnique allowed hundreds of thousandsof sequences to be deciphered at onceand has revealed fungal communities thatwere not possible with the older technique. The composting substrates composedof sugar-cane bagasse, coffee hulls and ricestraw composts mixed with either cow-orsheep- manure. Each of the plant material This study has attracted a great dealwas mixed with either cow – or sheep manure of international attention because ofand placed in a separate rotary drum system. the human health implications and wasThese substrates were composted for 82 days. selected for a news brief which wasFifteen human pathogens were identified published in “Medical News Today”from these composts from all the three See: http://www.medicalnewstoday.major composting stages i.e. mesophilic, com/releases/261951.phpthermophilic and mature. These were The paper now ranks first in viewership/ readership in the journal in which it wasAlternaria alternata, Aspergillus fumigatus, published, Frontiers in Microbiology.Candida tropicalis, Chaetomium funicola, Moreover, a service that tracks article-Cladosporium cladosporioides, Fusarium level readership (Altmetric) shows it hasoxysporum, Scytalidium lignicola, done particularly well. To date, AltmetricBipolaris spicifera, Fonsecaea pedrosoi, has tracked more than 1.3 million articlesMetarhizium anisopliae, Retroconis across all scientific journals, and the paperfusiformis, Scedosporium apiospermum, ranks in the 97th percentile i.e. it's in the top 5% of all articles ever tracked by Altmetric.Scedosporium aurantiacum, Scedosporium
Page 18 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News Geography Students Attend Caribbean Urban Forum (R to L)Arielle Maynard and Hannah the Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA), Sammy the students recognized that development of the agricultural sector in the region mustTwo top-performing students in a second- include government expenditure in agricultural year course in “Urban Geography”, Ms research conducted by regional experts.Arielle Maynard and Ms Hannah Sammy, According to Ms Maynard and Mswere sponsored to attend the Caribbean Urban Sammy, “society needs to agree that agricultureForum (CUF) in Trinidad and Tobago at the is a key factor in achieving this seemingly elusiveHilton from March 13-15, 2013 by Mr Arnim dream of development. We need to re-examineCozier and the Trinidad and Tobago Society our agricultural policies and evolve them to meetof Planners (TTSP). The CUF is an annual contemporary needs and then revolutionize theconference which brings together land use way agriculture, and its relation to urbanizationpractitioners, policy makers, academics and and sustainable development, is treated.”allied professionals interested in urban and Special thanks to Mr Cozier and theland management issues within the Caribbean. TTSP for this wonderful prize, which afforded The CUF provided opportunities for the students a chance to build experience, networks,young geographers to interact with professionals knowledge, and confidence, and to share whataffiliated with planning and development on this they learned with their entire class. year’s conference theme, “[R]Evolution”, and The Caribbean Urban Forum is supportedshare their geographical perspective pertaining to by the blueSpace – Caribbean Network forspatialpatternsandprocesses,andtherelationship Urban and Land Management. The nextbetween people and their environment. conference theme is “Placemaking” and takes Reflecting on their experiences, Ms place in Barbados from May 14 – 16, 2014.Maynard and Ms Sammy identified thebalance between urbanization and agriculture The Department of Geography offers aas a, “mainstay issue in the culture of the core course in Urban Geography, whichCaribbean,” where science and technology is part of the Geography Major and BSccan support the innovation required for a, Programmes. It inducts students into the“radical overhaul of the agricultural system”. patterns and processes of people-placeMaking the connections between the CUF and relationships. An essential component of this course is to examine the dynamics between urbanization, environmental sustainability, and agricultural economies. Geography courses are structured to offer students diverse opportunities for inquiry and learning and include lectures, practicals and tutorials, fieldtrips, and guest speakers. Mr Arnim Cozier (Home Construction Limited) was the 2012/2013 Urban Geography course guest speaker. Submitted by Dr Priya Kissoon with Arielle Maynard and Hannah Sammy, Department of Geography
Volume 2 Issue 3 Page 19Agriculture Students Win “Best Booth” at Guild Fest 2013/2014 During Orientation WeekStudents from the newly formed Visitors to the booth were inspired by“Agricultural Society” participated in this approach and this gave us the impetusthe UWI Guild Fest during the first to forge ahead. We found ourselves haulingweek of September. They submitted the plants every morning and evening, buildingfollowing article on their experiences. much needed muscles, and cleansing our pores from the litres of sweat that weThis year the fest was held at The UWI shed everyday underneath the scaldingRugby Field. Embodying the theme, \"I Trinidadian sun. However, any feelings ofam UWI\", the fest hosted over 82 exhibits mental or muscular fatigue were counteredincluding 42 clubs. For the established clubs by the smiles on enthusiastic faces and theon campus this was familiar ground, but for occasional dances to the music that wasthe recently established ones, such as the blasted from the loudspeakers during the day.Agricultural Society, this was new territory, Albert Einstein once said, “The worldbut we were still able to win Best Booth. as we have created it is a process of Anticipating the week of activities as a our thinking. It cannot be changedlaunch pad for the society's major objectives, without changing our thinking”.preparation began in the summer of 2013. As Being aware of the need for regionala re-formed society (the society’s mission food and nutrition security, we educatedis built on the history of the past Harland visitors of the importance of growing plantsSociety), the society’s executive needed to for food, and distributed vegetable seedlings.solidify its identity. We were able to define On Thursday 5th September weourselves as a conduit for bringing about demonstrated the innovative use of locallyawareness and interest in current issues in food produced commodities in flavorful dishesand agriculture, expounding on the need for a and as value-added products. Breadfruitfood and nutrition secure Caribbean region and pie, cassava pone and breadfruit puffsto report and engage with new technologies which the visitors sampled, were wellneeded to revolutionize agriculture in the received. Recipes and nutritional factsheetsCaribbean. These objectives are the pinnacle were distributed. Breadfruit in particularon which our motto, “Introducing the New gained the participants’ attention becauseAgriculturalist: a Multi-disciplined Thinker of the many nutritional benefits it offers,and Producer\", stands. It was through of which many were not aware. Otherthe collaborated efforts of the Agricultural value added products distributed includedSociety's committee and members of staff cassava and tapioca flour, farine, plum andof the Faculty of Food and Agriculture that tamarind stew, and guava cheese. the society’s objectives were solidified. A model gravity-fed bulk In preparation for the week, members fertigation system, constructed bypropagated plants from cuttings around members of the society and Dr Gaiuscampus, prepared calabash gourds to serve Eudoxie, served as the main instrumentas pots for ornamental plants, and feverishly in showcasing innovations in agriculture.formed strategic partnerships with other societies and departments. One of the pillars of the Agricultural Submitted by Alanda Moses, Deshorn Bramble,Society that was emphasized during and Zakita N S Bethelthe week, was the need for collaboration of (Students and Executive Members of thepersons from all disciplines. Agricultural Society,2013/2014)
Page 20 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News History of Agricultural Extension in Trinidad and Tobago-A New Publication Dr Wayne Ganpat presents “History According to Dr Ganpat, “the most of Agricultural Extension in Trinidad challenging part of this work was accessing and Tobago” to Dean Dr Isaac Beleke printed information. Documents were difficult to acquire and in many instances,A book titled “History of Agricultural werenotproperlyreferenced.Nevertheless, Extension in Trinidad and Tobago” I was able to access sufficient information towas written by Dr Wayne Ganpat, Lecturer assemble the book within a good time line.in the Department of Agricultrual Economics Personal interviews with past Extensionand Extension, who previously worked Directors and other past senior staff werefor more than 30 years in various the most exciting part of this work.”positions in the Government Extension He added that another major reason forservice both in Trinidad and Tobago. writing this book was the fact that the The author admits that even though history of Agricultural Extension hadhe is not an historian but a professional not been documented in any CaribbeanAgricultural Extensionist, the purpose of country. This is a shortcoming. Accordingwriting the book was simply to record the to Dr Ganpat, “Agricultural extensionhistorical development of Agricultural services in the Caribbean have evolvedExtension in Trinidad and Tobago. tremendously from its humble origins inHowever, he stated that he recognised the Botanic Gardens, the first in St Vincentthe urgent need to write this history and the Grenadines at the beginning of thesimply because “the folks who possessed 20th Century. Countries may have colourfulinstitutional memory were getting older. In histories and these need to be documented”.addition,thenewprofessionalsatthehighest Dr Ganpat hopes that this booklevel were quite young and may not see the will serve as an impetus to others innecessity to record this piece of history”. the Caribbean to write their history of Agricultural Extension. He admitted that “Agricultural Extension” was difficult to define precisely, because “it was organised differently across countries to accomplish a wide variety of objectives”. Dr Ganpat concluded that the driving force to put this work together was the need to provide future Extension workers with the history of their discipline. He stated that, “the perspective and value of their profession will hopefully be greatly enriched”. Dr Ganpat may be reached at: wayne. [email protected]
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