FFA Newsletter November 2014

FACULTY of FOOD and AGRICULTURE News Volume 3 Issue 3 November 2014 Faculty Honours Farmers, 17 First Class In This Issue Students and Three PhD Awardees at Prizes Award Ceremony Prizes Award Ceremony 1(L to R): Professor Gary Garcia, Master of Ceremonies; Mr Lincoln PhD Awardees 2Thackorie, Mr Joseph Benjamin, Mr Bhagwan Benny (farmers),Mr Richard Saunders, Campus Registrar; Mr Nazimul Karim, Mr Combating Pest and Disease 3Jacob Dasent (farmers); and Dr Isaac Bekele, Dean of the Faculty Challengesof Food and Agriculture Breadfruit Conference 4 This year, 17 first class awardees were honoured 5 at the Faculty’s prizes award ceremony, including Agricultural Educators Discuss valedictorian Mr Bryan Smith. Also honoured Tertiary Level Trainingat the ceremony, which took place in October2014, were three students who were conferred The Faculty Celebrates World 6PhD degrees, Dr Anisa Ramcharitar-Bourne, Food DayDr Chaney St Martin and Dr Vidya deGannes. Special awards were also given to five farmers The Faculty Celebrates Divali 7for their contribution to the Faculty over the past 10years: Mr John Benjamin, Mr Jacob Dasent, Mr Lincoln FFA represented at Caribbean 8Thackorie, Mr Nazimul Karim and Mr Bhagwan Benny. Week of AgricultureMr Benjamin has facilitated student visits to his apiaryand shared with them, not only his knowledge, but Association for Nutrition 8 also his safety equipment. Mr Thackorie established and DieteticsMarlissa Farms in 1991, which is now the largest smallruminant operation in the Caribbean. His farm possesses Food Security in the 21st Century 9 Continued on Page 2 UWI Staff and Students Participate 9 in Annual Open House Japanese Scientists Collaborate 10 with Department of Food Production Improving Food and Nutrition 10 Security Second Consortium of 11 European Union/Edulink 11 Meeting Plant Quarantine Course 11 Student Shines at World Congress 12 of Environmental Food Science and Technology Student attends 5th World 12 Congress of Environmental and Resource Economists Student attends 20th World 12 Congress of Soil Science Taking Nothing and Making 13 Something Health Benefits of Avocado 14 Celebrating the Faculty’s Alumni 15 Farming with a Purpose 16 AgriNeTT 16 Layout and Design Ms Sarojini Ragbir Photography Mr Terry Sampson and contributors Editors Ms Sarojini Ragbir Professor Julian Duncan Ms Jhivan Pargass

Page 2 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News The Faculty is proud to introduce its three PhD awardeesThree students from the faculty were conferred PhD degrees this year. Below areabstracts of their PhD theses. Childhood Obesity Among Trinidadian Preschoolers: Implications for Body Composition, Lifestyle Factors, Parental Feeding Strategies and School Food Policy Dr Ram- hundred and ninety-six preschoolers from 34 charitar- participating schools had anthropometry done, B o u r n e ’s and percentage body fat (PBF) estimated. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was high study looked and varied by classification system (ethnicity and race) and gender ranging from 11-19.6% at childhood in boys to 10.1-17.6% in girls. Boys were twice as likely as girls to have excess adiposity. obesity among Preschoolers of African descent were significantly taller, heavier and had higher preschoolers, abdominal fat. Girls displayed overall healthier lifestyles, and the indulgent feeding style wasDr Anisa Ramcharitar-Bourne which remains related to an increased fruit consumption. a public health Public schools were more likely to have ‘fruit times’ and ‘no soda’ policies.challenge globally. In Trinidad, its prevalence Ethnic and gender differences in adiposity and feeding styles do exist in this population. and determinants among preschoolers remain The indulgent feeding style was associated with more positive outcomes, while unwrittenunknown. There is also a lack of good school food policies were linked to negative practices. Future research should thereforeconvenient screening tools for diagnosis and focus on unlocking the mechanisms that may be involved in further explaining the genderintervention. This study therefore sought to and ethnic disparities in anthropometry in this multi-ethnic preschool population.(i) evaluate the anthropometric and ethniccorrelates of adiposity in a Trinidadianmultiethnic preschool population; (ii)assess the diagnostic performance ofvarious established international cutoffs inidentifying excess adiposity; (iii) identifypossible relationships among parental feedingstrategies, demographic and dietary variables,and child weight status; and (iv) evaluate thecurrent situation at the nation’s preschools,with respect to school food policy. Five Faculty Honours Farmers, 17 First Class Students and three PhD Awardees at Prizes Award Ceremony continued from page 1the best dairy goat and Tropical Hair of the agriculture sector by the Agriculturalsheep breed in the Caribbean and it is also Society of Trinidad and Tobago and Ministrythe largest small ruminant meat and milk of Food Production. He is a large producerproducer in Trinidad and Tobago. He is the of pepper, tomato, pumpkin and papaya.only farmer in Trinidad and Tobago and the MrBhagwan Benny is a large vegetablesouthern English speaking Caribbean with and fruit farmer, and plants pumpkins,registered, pure-bred milking dairy goats, and plantains, water-melon and papaya.all animals born on his farm are registered An enterprising individual, Mr Benny haswith the Ontario Dairy Goat Registry. visited farms in Costa Rica, Guatemala Mr Nazimul Karim was awarded for and Panama and uses what he hashis contribution in 2012 to the development learnt from these visits in his operations.

Volume 3 Issue 2 Page 3Rotary drum compost and compost Combating Pest and Diseasetea as substrates, amendments, and Challenges through Virtual Outreach biocontrol agents for damping-off T (Pythium ultimum) management in Drs Wayne Ganpat and Wendy-Ann Isaac, virtual outreach tomato (Solanum lycopersicum). team leaders, discuss the IT application with Extension Officer, Jeet Ramjattan In a broad sense, the research was undertaken as a scientific and/or technical response to improving Caribbean Agriculture through appropriateDr Chaney St Martin and affordable technology,resource maximisation, and promotingenvironmental stewardship and entre-preneurship. More specifically, it re-presents a response to a need identified byfarmers and nursery owners for researchon and development of more appropriateand cost effective substrates, preferablywith disease suppressive properties.The research focused on the productionof useful horticultural products from green/agro-waste using low-cost and appropriatecomposting and compost tea brewingtechnologies. The research assessed high-rate rotary drum technology as a means ofproducing mature banana leaves and lawnclippings composts of consistent quality, foruse as soil-less growth substrates to controldamping-off (Pythium ultimum) in tomato.The use of compost tea as a nutrientamendment and biocontrol agent againstdamping-off of tomato cultivated in compost-amended peat-based substrate containingthe mycorrhizal fungi, Rhizophagusintraradices, were also investigated.

Page 4 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News Molecular Microbial Ecology and Nitrifying Communities of Tropical Composts and Soils Dr Vidya de the mature phase was a preferred niche for Archaea, Gannes’ research Planctomycetes, Chloroflexi and Deltaproteobacteria. Thus, focused on the the mature phase pattern could have implications in the disciplines of Soil, development of biomarker assays for compost maturity. Environmental Fifteen fungal species of potential human pathogens Microbiology and were identified, eight of which have not been previously Microbial Ecology. identified in composts. Some were Bipolaris spicifera, It addressed Fonsecaea pedrosoi and Cladophialophora arxii. key questions Ammonia Oxidizers in Composts and Soils about whether The AOB were known to be involved in the nitrification prokaryotes process in soils and composts but the function of AOA was and fungi not firmly established. De Gannes’ research provided two communities may independent lines of evidence linking AOA to nitrification be informative where the abundance of AOA significantly correlated of processes in with levels of ammonium and community structureDr Vidya deGannes composting and was significantly affected by levels of ammonium. The confirmation of AOA in composts and soils from Trinidadcompost safety. Also, information was provided about has unraveled a community of microorganisms that hasnitrifiers, ammonia oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and ammonia never been reported and questioned long standing beliefsoxidizing archaea (AOA) in composts and soils. about nitrification in these systems. Prokaryotic Organisms and Overall Impact of the Research Fungi in Composts The research was innovative as it added to the knowledge of composting and nitrifying organisms in composts andA next generation sequencing technique (454- soils and is likely to form a foundation for further workpyrosequencing) was applied to analyze prokaryotic and in the field of microbial ecology of tropical composts andfungal patterns in agricultural wastes composts across soils.mesophilic, thermophilic and mature phases. Prokaryoticdiversity expanded as composting progressed and Conference Notice Commercializing Breadfruit for Food and Nutrition Security is the theme of an international breadfruit conference to be held in Trinidad from the 5th to 10th July 2015. The main host is the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies. The goals of the conference are to: • Provide an international forum for sharing information on entrepreneurial, research and development activities that support increased utilization of breadfruit and breadnut for food and nutrition• Provide a forum for entrepreneurs in the food and agriculture sector, including rural communities, to discuss the key issues affecting the commercial potential of breadfruit and breadnut• Create opportunities for networking among public and private sectors, rural communities and research institutions for the future development of these crops for food and nutrition security. For more information please check http://sta.uwi.edu/confernces/15/breadfruit or email: breadfruit. [email protected].

Volume 3 Issue 2 Page 5Regional Agricultural Educators Discuss Tertiary Level Training in AgricultureIssues related to tertiary level training in for relevance, and seamless transition, agriculture was the topic of discussion resources and collaboration. Some ofat a workshop of regional educators and the issued identified were: engendering astakeholders, held at the St Augustine change in the perception of agriculture andCampus from 29th to 30th July 2014. The making the curricula relevant to problemrepresentatives, who were from Barbados, solving and production-based skills.Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, To address the issue of seamlessJamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St transition, it was felt that there should beVincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and an evaluation of the Diploma in AgricultureTurks and Caicos Islands, gave an overview programmes offered, the setting of standardsof issues faced by their respective institutions, for matriculation, a determination of theincluding human resource requirements, number of credits required to facilitate coursetraining in agriculture at all levels, enrolment exemptions and an upgrading of programmesissues, current curricula, challenges faced that do not meet the required standards.(including resources), strengths and Based on the discussions held, itweaknesses and enhancement mechanisms. was clear that this gathering of competent For Tertiary Level Institutions (TLIs), authorities in the field of agriculturalthe absence of support services and clear education should signal the start of a movepolicy also represented major challenges, towards greater collaboration betweenwhich to some extent seemed to negate regional TLIs. The proposal was thereforethe strengths identified. Enhancement made that a Technical Managementmechanisms included the need to: standardize Advisory Committee be established underthe certification offered by the TLIs; make the guidance of the Honourable Minister oftraining demand-driven; develop clear Agriculture and Forestry of Dominica, Mrarticulation agreements; revise curricula Matthew Walter, who is the Lead Minister forregularly; and increase the focus on research Human Resource Development in the region.towards the development of agro-industries. It is envisioned that Minister Walter As a means of charting the and The UWI, will have the mandate to adviseway forward, participants engaged in CARICOM on matters impacting TLIs thatgroup discussions and examined issues affect their ability to effectively meet therelated to re-engineering the curricula human resource demands of the region.

Page 6 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News The Faculty Celebrates World Food DayFamily Farming: Feeding the world, caring for the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization earth was this year’s World Food Day theme and (FAO), who stated that, “Trinidad and Tobago mustonce again, the Faculty celebrated by participating in examine its challenges and choices for food production”.the agricultural exhibition in Tobago, the NAMDEVCO He implored the participants to consider what was theagricultural exhibition best way for this countryin Macoya and hosting to shape its population’sa candle light vigil nutrition for a sustainableat the St Augustine future, alluding to theCampus. astronomical food importThe vigil, bill. He intimated that allwhich took place the faculties of the UWIon 6th November are crucial to the solution2014, linked the for the big problem of “howaspirations of the to feed the world in 2050”global community and crucial to advanceswith individual in the economy-widecommitments to contribution of family“Eradicate Extreme farms.Poverty and Mr GreggHunger”, Millennium Rawlins, Inter-AmericanDevelopment Goal Institute for CooperationNumber One. on Agriculture (IICA)The Pro L to R: IICA Representative, Trinidad and Tobago, Mr Gregg Rawlins; Pro Vice- Representative, Trinidad Chancellor and Principal of the Campus, Professor Clement Sankat; CampusVice-Chancellor Registrar, Mr Richard Saunders; (background) United Nations Resident Coordinator and Tobago, in alludingand Campus and Interim Representative of FAO, Mr Richard Blewitt; Dean of the FFA, Dr Isaac to the challenges wePrincipal, Professor Bekele; and Ms Debra Coryat-Patton (Principal’s Office) lead the candle light vigil now face in attainingClement Sankat, our food and nutritionapplauded the Faculty for hosting the vigil in his security stated that, “The challenge to IICA and all otherwelcome remarks. He stated “…you have given The partners involved in agricultural and rural development,UWI St Augustine Campus, especially through our is to accelerate the process of finding more innovativenew re-established Faculty of Food and Agriculture, an ways to push the frontiers of technology and researchopportunity to re-dedicate ourselves to the mandate so that agricultural productivity and output remain oneof contributing towards a sustainable future for the step ahead of those challenges”. Mr Rawlins suggestedpeople of our country and region through teaching further that all partners in agricultural developmentand learning and research and innovation in the areas should not only focus on increasing food supply, but alsoof food production and agriculture. Indeed, I am a on directing their energies on reducing production cost.strong proponent that if one’s society is to develop He added that, “It would be prudent for us to join withsustainably, one cannot neglect the importance of other related institutions to educate the general public ondeveloping a strong and sustainable agriculture sector”. proper utilization and choices of food.”Referring to the theme of the World Food Day, According to Ms Odessa Fortune, Guild ofProfessor Sankat stated that, “Right here in Trinidad and Students Representative for the FFA, “As students, weTobago there are hundreds of family farms that supply should not sit back and observe the world. We must makeour local markets and some of our supermarkets on a difference. It would take a great deal across the worlda continuous basis. Could we imagine what we would to eradicate extreme hunger and poverty.......however, itdo without the productivity and diligence of our family will not take nearly as much for us to speak to someonefarmers..?” else about food. On Thursday October 16th, 2014, thatThe participants also heard from Mr Richard is just what the Guild Council did. The Guild of Students’Blewitt, United Nations Resident Coordinator and Interim Food and Agriculture Committee engaged students in

Volume 3 Issue 2 Page 7As part of the vigil’s programme, a pledge to contribute to leporina), quenk (Tayassu tajacu) and tattoo (Dasypusending hunger in the world and enabling all our fellow human novemcinctus), and making cheese from goat’s milk.beings to enjoy their right to food was read by representatives Children were given activities to enhance their knowledgefrom various student groups about choosing healthy food options to promote growth and development.a discussion about food. We shared information withstudents and staff on home gardening; how to grow your Anthropometric measurements were conductedown food; how to manage growing crops with limited and the results were explained to the patrons. Those withspace; how to secure food for your household and results outside of the normal range were educated onlessen your food expenditure.” strategies to improve their health indicators. The Dean of the faculty, Dr Isaac Bekele, who On Sunday October 19th 2014, faculty membersserved as Chairman of the proceedings, also stressed the and students joined several prominent stakeholdersimportance of family farms and outlined some challenges of the agriculture, health and the nutrition sectors andwe face in feeding our population. participated in the agricultural exhibition held at the Norris Deonarine Northern Wholesale Market in Macoya. Highlighted were the Faculty’s degree selection, research projects, guides to healthy eating and nutritional intake and some of the value-added food products developed by students of the Faculty. Students of the Agribusiness Society demonstrated a prototype of an aquaponics system.Agricultural Exhibitions In Tobago, World Food Day Celebrations were Mr Stephan Moonsammy, Graduate Student and Instructorheld from 16th to 17th October and staff and students in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension,from the Departments of Agricultural Economics and speaks with Mrs Denise Dickson-Cunningham, Manager,Extension and Food Production interacted with over 800 New Business and Product Development, Agriculturalpatrons who were educated on the use of earthworm Development Bank, about programmes offered by the Facultyin the breakdown of organic waste (vermicomposting), at NAMDEVCO’s agricultural exhibitiontechniques in captive production of agouti (Dasyprocta The Faculty Celebrates DivaliFaculty staff and students were treated Hindu New Year and that Hindus look forward to cultural programmes and delicious to the coming year with some purpose andlunches on 22nd and 24th October 2014 reason. Quoting Mahatma Gandhi, he saidat the Department of Food Production the festival is a reminder and an opportunityand at the University Field Station, “to be the change that you wish to see inrespectively. As part of the programme, the world.”new member of staff of the Department, Dean Isaac Bekele, in welcomingDr Uppoor Krishnamoorthy, Animal the staff and students at the Field StationScientist, delivered a detailed account function, paid tribute to the religiousof how Divali is celebrated in India. He significance of Divali.stated that Divali is celebrated on thedarkest night and marks the beginning of the Dr Uppoor Krishnamoorthy

Page 8 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsFaculty of Food and Association for NutritionAgriculture represented and Dieteticsat Caribbean Week ofAgriculture “It’s not a diet. It’s not a phase. It’s a permanent“Transforming Caribbean lifestyle change,” is the motto of theAgriculture through Family newly formed StudentFarming” was the theme of Association for Nutritionthis year’s Caribbean Week and Dietetics (SAND),of Agriculture, which was in the Department ofheld in Suriname from the Visitors to the faculty booth Agricultural Economics6th to 12th October 2014. The of Surinamese food, as well and Extension. as institutions that contributeevent attracted a number of to agricultural development. The mission of The Faculty of Food andentrepreneurs, youths and Agriculture, in keeping with SAND is to be the primary its focus on food and nutrition security, human welfare and student organization well-being and sustainableAgricultural Ministers from environment, participated in that stimulates interest the SAFE-2014 exhibitionacross the region, to participate and displayed a number in the profession of of brochures, posters andin discussions of issues related other informational material. nutrition and dietetics The graduate studentsto the region’s agricultural manning the booth also took while raising nutrition the opportunity to interact withdevelopment. students from the Polytechnic based awareness at The College of Suriname and An international UWI through student shared information on theexhibition andTrade Fair dubbed faculty’s programmes as involvement at the well as their experiences of“SAFE-2014” (Suriname Agro being a part of the Faculty university level and in of Food and Agriculture.Food Event) under the theme the wider community.“Healthy Food Development” The associationwas held as part of the weeks’ provides students with opportunities to learnactivities. The exhibition was more about careers in thegeared to showcase agri- professions associatedbusiness entrepreneurs, withnutritionand dieteticsinternational value chain and acts as a sourceactors, culinary presentation of volunteers in the community spreading the message “You are what you eat” to the public. Membership is open to all students working towards a degree with a major or minor in the Human FFA students Alpha Ecology Programme. Sennon, Tessa Barry and Asisha Patterson interacting For more formation with students from the Polytec- nic College, Suriname visit the website: http:// Submitted by: Tessa Barry, Graduate daeesand.wix.com/sand Student, Department of Agricultural or email daee.sand@ Economics and Extension gmail.com or visit the facebook page at www. facebook.com/daee. sand.

Volume 3 Issue 2 Page 9 Food Security in the 21st CenturyBelow is a synopsis of his synopsis of his presentation. irrigation systems such as desalinized In the contemporary international and recirculated (from aquacultureProfessor Shmuel Wolf receives a token from arena, food security is a particularly systems) and reclaimed waste water; germane issue; but how do we the latter now supplies almost 50% ofPCampus Principal, Professor Clement Sankat accomplish this? Why are there food the water needed for agriculture. rofessor Shmuel Wolf, Dean of the shortages and the existence of extreme Addressing sustainability, Faculty of Agriculture, Food and hunger and thirst the world over? he emphasized the need to exploreEnvironment, Hebrew University of These difficulties arise from myriad natural variation and develop geneticJerusalem, Israel, visited the faculty causes such as desertification, global diversity to increase output. Hefor a week, during which time he warming, reduction of cultivated land, identified Israeli advancements,gave a lecture on Food Security in water abuse, diminishing resources including the development of a non-the 21St Century, on Wednesday and the incapacity to recycle water. shattering capsule for sesame seeds,17th September 2014. Following is a Professor Wolf posits that the ‘Sterile Insect Technique’, and although there may be improvements Genetically Modified Organisms in technology, the question remains such as the genetically engineered whether or not there are sufficient Eucalyptus that produces 20% more resources left to tap into. While food wood than conventional trees and production needs to increase, more is ready to be harvested one and a and more arable land is being lost half years earlier. Prof Wolf’s lecture annually to urbanization. Limited underscored significant advancements water supply and pests are also made and accentuated the fact that extremely worrisome in the attempt food security is even possible today to stabilize food production. once sufficient research is undertaken, Using Israel as an example, and technology and innovation are Professor Wolf explained how they employed to utilize our resources in “made the desert bloom”. This, he the most efficient way possible. stated, was done by developing their water resources; using innovative Submitted by: Ms Thara Gabriel, Secretary, Dean’s Office, FFAUWI staff and students participate in Annual Open House in St Vincent and the GrenadinesStaff from the UWI campuses visited St Vincent and the Gonsalves, on Tuesday 11th November, UWI experience and their useful 2014. tips to enable them to excel and beGrenadines for the annual open The team visited various successful.house, which was hosted by The UWI secondary schools throughout theOpen Campus. The team included island, as well as the School for theDr Darren Conrad, Lecturer in the Arts, Sciences and General StudiesDepartment of Economics; Mr Nigel and the Nursing Education DivisionsBradshaw, Student Recruitment of the St Vincent and the GrenadinesOfficer; Dr Halimah DeShong, Community College.Lecturer at the Institute for Gender The highlight of the trip wasand Development Studies, Cave Hill the inclusion of two recent graduates,Campus; Mrs Cheryl Layne, Senior with first class honours, from theAdministrative Assistant, Student Faculty of Food and Agriculture,Affairs/FFA, and Mr Ronnie Daniel, Vincentian nationals Mr DeShornHost/Technical Officer of the Open Bramble and Ms Alanda Moses. Campus. They began their visit by The school students werepaying a courtesy call on the Prime enthused by the speeches given by Mrs Cheryl Layne presents the FFA News to the Honourable Dr Ralph E GonsalvesMinister, the Honourable Dr Ralph E Ms Moses and Mr Bramble on their Submitted by: Mrs Cheryl Layne, Senior Administrative Assistant, Dean’s Office, FFA

Page 10 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News Japanese Scientists to Collaborate with Improving Food and Nutrition Security through Department of Food Production Advanced TechnologiesJapanese delegation with Department of Food Production staff: Two workshops which sought to enhance(L to R) – Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Mr Hironori Ara, Prof Masayoshi participants’ skills and training in theShigyo, Dr Yuki Tonooka, Prof Toshio Nomura and Dr Duriasamy principles and practices of protected agricultureSaravanakumar technology were conducted from the 20th to 22nd and 29th to 30th of September, 2014. The workshops, whichAnew cultivation method resulting in increased leaf included practical demonstrations in housing design growth by using light emitting diodes (LEDs), and construction, in-house climate management,developed by Professor Masayoshi Shigyo and dubbed fertigation management, production techniques andthe “Shigyo Method”, was introduced to staff of the marketing, were part of a recently concluded 2-yearFaculty of Food and Agriculture. Professor Shigyo, from collaborative research project between the Departmentthe Faculty of Agriculture, Yamaguchi University, stated of Food Production, FFA and the Caribbean Agriculturalthat his method gives a threefold increase of vegetation, Research and Development Institute (CARDI).when compared with cultivation under fluorescent lamps The project, themed “Improving food andor LED lighting with fixed ratio of red light to blue light. nutrition security through advanced technologies”,Professor Shigyo’s research interests include molecular was funded by the Caribbean Development Bankmarkers in plant genetics and breeding, as well as (CDB). The workshops targeted new and experiencedimprovement of vegetable crops by means of chromosome protected agriculture farmers and took place at theengineering technique. He has collaborated with Showa University Field Station, Valsayn.Denko K. K. (SDK), a major manufacturer of chemical The facilitator was Mr Jervis Rowe, a Jamaicanproducts in Japan, to develop the “Shigyo Method”. national and President of the Jamaican Greenhouse Professor Shigyo maintains that plant factories Growers Association and practicing greenhouseare expected to become a safer more stable option producer. He was assisted in the practical sessionsfor food supply and is presently looking for overseas by Mr Jaime James, Research Technician, who waspartners who can adapt this technology and extend attached to the CDB funded project.it to suit the local climatic conditions and local food The participants included local greenhouseneeds. He sees the possibility of combining the present producers and representatives from the Ministry oftechnology with solar panel and battery storage Food Production, Ministry of Education, students fromtechnology, to provide both day-time and night-time the University of Trinidad and Tobago and The UWI, aselectricity supply for lighting and other control purposes. well as members of the private sector. The aims of the visit, which took place One participant, a greenhouse producer fromfrom September 7th to 12th 2014, were to present Santa Cruz, stated that though he has been in farmingProf Shigyo’s research on plant factory using for 30 years, the protected agriculture system is theLED lighting, discuss various options of the way of the future.... “It not only allows you to ensurecollaboration and draft a framework for joint research. a return on your investment; it provides farmers who Professor Shigyo was accompanied by Professor do not have land space for open field agriculture withToshio Nomura (visiting Professor at Yamaguchi a viable option, it is the best way to go.” AnotherUniversity and team leader), Dr Yuki Tonooka, participant stated that, “this training programme hasResearch Administrator, Life Science Support Office, proven to be most beneficial and interesting as it willOrganization for Research Initiatives, Yamaguchi enable me to properly operate my greenhouse. It willUniversity; and Mr Hironori Ara, Manager, Marketing help me to fine-tune my current performance.”Group, Green Innovation Project, Showa Denko K.K.. Submitted by: Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Lecturer, Department of Food Production

Volume 3 Issue 2 Page 11Second Consortium Meeting of the European Union/Edulink 11, Food Science and Technology in Africa and the Caribbean held in CanadaThe second consortium and advisory committee meeting of Fom L to R: Dr Maitshwarelo Matsheka (University of Botswana), Dr the European Union/Edulink 11 project on Food Science Tomaz Langerholc (University of Maribor), Prof Neela Badrie (Theand Technology in Africa and the Caribbean (FSTinAC) was University of the West Indies), Dr Ian Thompson (The University of theheld in Montreal Canada from the 16th to 17th August, 2014, West Indies) and Dr Gyebi Duodu (University of Pretoria)where project leaders reported on their activities. This project is led by Dr Jose Malete Jackson andDr Maitshwarelo Matsheka (University of Botswana) withProfessor Neela Badrie of The UWI. Dr Esther Sakyi-Dawson ofthe University of Ghana and Dr Tomaž Langerholc, Universityof Maribor, Slovenia serving as partners. Other projectcollaborators are the Botswana College of Agriculture (BCA)and the Centre for Coordination of Agricultural Researchand Development for Southern Africa (CCARDESA). Also inattendance were the advisory committee members, Dr IanThompson of The UWI, Jamaica, and Dr Gyebi Duodu of theUniversity of Pretoria. Submitted by: Professor Neela Badrie and Dr Marsha Singh,Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and AgricultureThe UWI Regional Plant Quarantine Officer Training: Principles and Procedures CourseInternational Framework and Standards, Legal Ministries of Barbados, Jamaica and Trinidad andFramework, Inspection of Airport and Seaport Tobago were also valued collaborators in thisFacilities, Agricultural Cargo Inspections, Botany programme.and Weeds, Invasive Species, Entomology, Pathology PlantProtectionandQuarantineOfficers(PPQ)and Fumigation were among the topics discussed at who have received the training thus far, continue tothe 4th edition of the UWI Regional Plant Quarantine applaud the tremendous impact it has had on theirOfficer Training: Principles and Procedures Course. job performance and have recommended that all PPQThe course, which was held at the St Augustine officers be exposed to the information and practices/Campus from 11th to 22nd August 2014, attracted 19 techniques offered in the course.participants from Antigua, Barbados, Belize, BritishVirgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Curacao, Dominica, Participants attending training courseDominican Republic, Grenada, Guyana, Haiti, Submitted by: Dr Lynda Wickham, Lecturer,Jamaica, Montserrat, St Kitts, St Lucia, St Vincent Department of Food Productionand Trinidad and Tobago. Participants had the opportunity to visitseveral facilities at the Seaport, Airport, Central PostOffice and NAMDEVCO Packing House. Participants were funded by: USDA (APHIS- GSCI, Inter-American Institute for Cooperationon Agriculture (IICA) through its European Unionfunded Sanitary SPS Project, and the OECS. In addition to these funding agencies, Foodand Agriculture Organization, CABI and Agriculture

Page 12 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsStudent Shines at World Congress of Food Science Student attends 20th World and Technology (IUFoST 2014) Montreal, Canada Congress of Soil Science in South KoreaParticipants at the IUFoST. Front row, fourth from left, is Ms Sophia BalfourOut of more than 2000 delegates for outstanding research in Mr Renaldo Belfon, graduate who attended the 17th World postharvest and food safety. student in Soil Science,Congress of Food Science and Department of Food Production, was the lone CaribbeanTechnology (IUFoST 2014) held Her oral and poster presentations participant among 3,000, atin Montreal, Canada from 17th to focused on hygienic practices of the 20th World Congress of Soil21st August 2014, PhD candidate farmers and caterers in Trinidad Science, which took place in Southin Agri-Food Safety and Quality using the Codex approach and Korea from 8th to 13th June 2014.Assurance, Miss Sophia Balfour determining the postharvest losses Mr Belfon presented two papers:was one of 35 recipients of awards of crops from farm to fork. 1. Development of an improved method for estimating soilGraduate Student and Professor attend 5th World Congress of CO2 flux. The paper was co- authored by Mr Renaldo Belfon,Environmental and Resource Economists in Turkey Dr Isaac Bekele (UWI), Dr Gaius Eudoxie (UWI), Dr Paul VoroneyAn Evaluation of Hicksian Congress, which was hosted by the (University of Guelph, Canada) Sustainability in a Rapidly Istanbul Technical University, was and Dr Gregory Gouveia (UWI).Developing Economy: Is Trinidad jointly organized by the Association 2. Effects of organic amendmentsAnd Tobago’s Economic Growth of Environmental and Resource on early plant growth. The co-Sustainable? was the title of a Economists and the European authors were Mr Renaldo Belfon, Dr Gaius Eudoxie, Dr Gregoryposter presented by Mr Lendel Association of Environmental Gouveia, Dr Paul Voroney and MrNarine, at the Fifth World Congress and Resource Economists, in Micah Martin (Graduate student,of Environmental and Resource cooperation with the East Asian UWI). Economists, which took place in Association of Environmental According to Mr Belfon, “ThisIstanbul, Turkey from June 28th and Resource Economics. was a truly wonderful experienceto July 2nd 2014. The poster was as I was able to interact with some of the best soil and agro-prepared by graduate students environmental scientists in the world. Some of the areas IMr Lendel Narine, Ms Amanda was introduced to have been incorporated into my PhDAli, Mr Stephan Moonsammy and proposal”.Professor Mattias Boman, fromthe Department of AgriculturalEconomics and Extension. BothMr Narine and Professor Bomanattended the congress andProfessor Boman also presented apaper titled “Valuation of biodiversityprotection across borders: L to R: Professor Mattias BomanLimits to the public good?” T h e and Mr Lendel Narine

Volume 3 Issue 2 Page 13 Taking Nothing and Making Something: Progressing Towards Food, Energy and Environmental Sustainability By Ms Nakisha Mark and Ms Kezia Black What does it mean to be sustainable in food and market, 1 kg of astaxanthin is worth US$400. energy as a nation? What are the Energy Sustainability benefits of such sustainability? These questions and many more Arava Solar Energy Power Company is currently were answered in a training course seeking to expand the production of solar energy, even - Renewable Energy as a Catalyst though natural gas, a non-renewable resource, has been for Regional Development which recently discovered in Israel. This solar energy is not utilized was hosted by Israel’s Agency at the kibbutz Ketura, but sold to the government of Israel for International Development where large revenue is generated to achieve economic Cooperation Ministry of Foreign sustainability in the desert. Affairs (MASHAV). Graduate Patented biogas digesters were developed by students of the Department of experts from Ketura for the production of biogas and liquid Food Production, Ms Nakisha fertilizers from agricultural wastes such as food scraps and Mark and Ms Kezia Black attended manure. The gas is channelled into the home for cookingL to R: Kezia Black the course from 12th to 27th May, and the fertilizer is used in the kitchen garden. 2014, in kibbutz Ketura, Israel. The value of water in the Middle East is cherished; and Na kisha M ark Kibbutz Ketura is one of the many self-sufficient for instance, waste water in Yotvata, Israel is treated andkibbutzim in Israel. A kibbutz is a collective community re-used for irrigation and biogas production.that was originally based on agriculture. However, many of In Trinidad and Tobago, most would agree that usingthe kibbutzim are expanding into various entrepreneurial a compost toilet is strange however, this is not the caseenterprises. In comparison to the other kibbutzim, Ketura at kibbutz Lotan, where compost is substituted for water.develops many business ventures that are competing Water is eliminated from the ‘flushing’ process. Composton the global market, some of which are of agricultural is placed upon excreta thereby adding to the compostingorigin. process. This is done in an attempt to conserve water for Food Sustainability more crucial purposes. In the Caribbean we often complain about heavy Environmental Sustainabilityrainfall, lack of water and the stress of working under hot andhumid conditions. However, Israel’s land area constitutes The over -utilization of water from the Sea of Galileemore than 50% desert and can produce vegetables for has resulted in the progressive evaporation of water fromEurope, despite the adverse weather and soil conditions. the Dead Sea. To achieve environmental sustainability, a RedWhat can we learn in the Caribbean region? Instead of Sea – Dead Sea Conduit (Canal) project in collaboration withadapting the environment to our likeness, crop specific Israel, Jordan and Palestine authorities will provide potablevarieties should be developed to suit our environment. water to the nations,For example, in kibbutz Ketura plant research includes the with the hope that geo-investigation of Argania spinosa (argan) since it requires political stability in thelittle water, and is famously known in the cosmetic industry region is attained.as an enhancing oil for hair growth. It can therefore be said that renewable An anti-aging substance, natural astaxanthin, energy strategies fromis produced from red algae for export to cosmetic and Israel can be adopted inpharmaceutical companies. One may think the desert is not the Caribbean to meetfeasible for astaxanthin production since red algae require the food, energy anda lot of water for growth. However in Ketura, sustainability environmental needsand feasibility were achieved by re-using the water in the of the region by use ofcooling process for astaxanthin production. On the global Compost toilet solar energy, biogas and crop specific productions.

Page 14 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsHealth Corner Consumption of avocado and extra virgin avocado oil confers many health benefits Excerpt from an article submitted by: Dr Sa’eed Halilu Bawa (Food and Nutrition Sciences and Dietetics), Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Av o c a d o which is a mineral recommended in minimal amounts (Persea by the American Heart Association (AHA) guidelines. The americana) is one fruit is also a good source of magnesium, low levels of of the earliest which have been linked with cardiac ischemia. Vitamins C fruits consumed and E are antioxidants present in significant levels in the in Mesoamerica. avocado. Clinical studies have shown that vitamin C and Itsoldestevidence E in combination may slow atherosclerosis in individuals dates back with hypercholesterolemia. Phenolics present in the fruit almost 10,000 reduces cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk by reducing years in central oxidative and inflammatory stress.Mexico. From there, avocado was dispersed from Northto South America and then to Europe and the rest of the Avocados help lower cholesterol and reduceworld. Avocado is now among the most important and the risk of coronary artery diseasetraded tropical fruits in the world, with Mexico as its Similar to olives, avocados contain an oil rich inmajor producer. Hass avocado became the leading variety MUFAs. Both avocado and olive oil help lower the bloodglobally, in the 1970s, when a significant expansion of the concentration of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,industry occurred. trivially known as bad cholesterol, but maintain the level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, otherwise known as Health Benefits the good cholesterol. Health benefits from the avocado fruit are mostly Avocados contain the plant sterols phystosterolsattributed to its monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) rich and phytostanols. These compounds have been found tooils, as well as the taste and texture from its high dietary possess anti-inflammatory, anticancer, bactericidal andfibre content. Avocados are categorized as a medium energy fungicidal properties. However, the health benefit thatdense fruit due to 80% of its edible portion being made up has most attracted the attention of scientists and healthof water and dietary fibre, suggesting benefits in weight care professionals is the hypocholesteroemic effectcontrol. Results of many scientific studies have revealed (lowering cholesterol level) in individuals with moderatethat avocado consumers tend to consume significantly hypercholesterolemia.more of key shortfall nutrients – dietary fibre, vitamins K,and E, potassium, and magnesium in their diets than non- Avocados help prevent cancer and calciumavocado consumers. Several of the nutrient components of oxalate stone formationthe avocado have cardioprotective properties (preventionof cardiovascular diseases) similar to some tree nuts such Avocados, as well as extra virgin avocado oil haveas almonds, pistachios, and walnuts. All share a similar vitamin E content, which confers many benefits, including:nutrient profile as well (USDA, 2010). The nutrients that 1) protection of cells against damage by free radicals,have cardioprotective properties include fatty acids, 2) diminishing risk factors linked to certain cancers,dietary fiber, sugars, potassium, magnesium, antioxidant 3) protecting the oxidization of LDL-cholesterol, 4)vitamins, vitamin K, B vitamins, carotenoids, phenolics, and improving the immune response, and 5) protection againstphytosterols. Containing a very minimal sugar content of the development of cataracts.sucrose, glucose, and fructose, the avocado has a glycemic Chlorophyll is pigmentation present in plants andindex of approximately zero, making it an excellent food green seaweed, and is responsible for the absorption ofsource in blood glucose control and weight management. light energy during the process of photosynthesis. ExtraAvocados contain a very significant amount of potassium, a virgin avocado oil contains high levels of chlorophyll.mineral that has been linked with lowering blood pressure. Chlorophyllin may inhibit the growth of calcium oxalateAt the same time, there is very little sodium present, dihydrate; considered to be a primary phase in calcium oxalate stone formation.

Volume 3 Issue 2 Page 15 Celebrating the Faculty’s AlumniDear readers, we have been getting requests to highlight some of the Faculty’s alumni who have achieved professionalsuccess and have contributed to the development of the region’s agricultural sector and to the region as a whole. In thisissue, we are proud to feature Mr Winston Rudder. Mr Organizations and institutions Mr Rudder has Winston Rudder worked with and his functions within theseMr Winston Rudder graduated with a BSc in organizations Agriculture in 1965. A citizen of Trinidad • Serving as FAO Sub-Regional Representativeand Tobago, Mr Rudder has over forty years ofexperience in development policy,programming and for the Caribbean;operations at national, regional and international • Serving as FAO Representative to Nepal;levels. His responsibilities and assignments over • Reorienting FAO’s programmatic interventionsthat period included managing agricultural and to more fully accommodate food and nutrition security,integrated rural development projects; developingand directing agricultural planning systems; and gender and sustainability considerations;advising on agricultural development policy. • Managing FAO’s post-tsunami agricultural, His work also involved providing strategic fisheries, forestry and related relief and recoveryleadership, guidance and management to selected support activities in the Maldives;government ministries; building constituencies • Overseeing implementation of FAO’s post-of interest across the public-private sector divide; conflict agricultural emergency and rehabilitationand negotiating with and undertaking international activities in the North Caucasus, Russian Federation;development-oriented assignments for multilateral • Providing strategic leadership, guidanceinstitutions. and management as Permanent Secretary in three Mr Rudder’s interest is to remain active in ministries of the Government of Trinidad and Tobago;development – nationally and internationally– • Advising on and preparing national andretaining a focus on people-related issues and regional agricultural development and food andchallenges and ensuring that equity and socialjustice inform choices and responses. He now nutrition policies;works as an independent Agricultural Development • Formulating and developing nationalConsultant. agricultural and food and nutrition security plans and programmes; • Managing local and national agricultural and integrated rural development projects; • Directing a national agricultural planning system; • Leading national delegations at regional and international fora; • Negotiating with bilateral and multilateral organizations and agencies; • Building and maintaining broad, inclusive constituencies of interest across the public-private sector divide; • Undertaking international development- oriented assignments for multilateral institutions; • Providing guidance and oversight to the functioning of the UN specialized agency, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), as member of the FAO Council and Programme Committee; • Leading a non-profit, charitable organization with a mission to influence sustainable development policy and practice.

Page 16 Faculty of Food and Agriculture News Farming with a Purpose: Sustainable Practices in Agriculture“Farming with a purpose: Sustainable practices in of these included pomerac jam, hog plum and plantainagriculture”, was the theme of this year’s eight-week wine, silk fig ice cream, various chutneys and saucespractical course for first year students. Students were and goat cheese. “Farmers with foresight”, “Sustainableintroduced to sustainable agricultural practices including shottas” and “Flaming Flavours Ltd.” were the names ofthe establishment of intercropped field crops, utilization companies created for the sales day.of waste through composting and the establishment ofa sustainable food and medicinal herb garden, utilising The course ended with a cook-out competitionrecycled materials from the farm. where students practiced their culinary and creative skills by preparing a three-course meal (appetizer, main During the first week, students established course and dessert) and a drink using only ingredientsseedling nurseries, prepared plots for intercropping, from the farm. Students were judged by a panel of expertprepared for the arrival of one-day old chickens, planned judges, one of whom was a qualified chef. Groups createdfor the establishment of the functional food and medicinal innovative dishes with enticing names such as “Rabbitherb garden and began developing their marketing ideas surprise”, “Pumpkin hera”, “Rainbow chicken”, “Lapinfor a “sales day”. For the sales day, groups developed au barbecue jerk”, “Five finger chicken”, “Salade verte”, “Patate douce”, “Cauliflower au gratin”, “Mango BBQ new products, using lamb with breadfruit pie and stir”, “Mango surprise” and commodities from the “Pumpkin cupcakes”. University Field Station (UFS), with minimal The winning group this year was “Sustainable external input. Some shottas” and they received the UFS Manager’s trophy. Other prizes were sponsored by Nestlé Associated Brands, Students being questioned Mr Sarran Harryram and other supporting staff members. by one of the judges, Dr Wayne Ganpat, on the Submitted by: Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Lecturer, agri-products at the sales Department of Food Production day ICT Applications to Assist in Farm Management More information on AgriNeTT could be obtained from: http://sta.uwi.edu/agrinett/about.asp)A or email Omaira Avila Rostant at [email protected]. small team of researchers from the Department of Computing and Information Technology and the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The UWI, St Augustine, is working on developing several information and communication technology (ICT)applications using agriculture data. Partnering with NAMDEVCO, the Ministry of Food Production and representatives fromthe farming community, project AgriNeTT seeks to contribute to the National Food Production Action Plan (2012 to 2015) byproviding ICT applications to assist in agriculture value chain improvement, especially farm management. It is hoped that theknowledge gained from such applications would be used to inform decisions related to international competitiveness and thegoal of creating a food secure nation. From initial studies, it was found that the data required for analysis to inform policies were either unavailable oravailable in small pockets. In this regard, the AgriNeTT team has already built the Open Data platform. The AgriNeTT OpenData Repository houses different data sets from institutions and associations, including farm level production data, commodityprices and volumes, farm land spatial data, soils, weather and pest and diseases tracking data. To date, two workshops on theOpen Data concepts were held and discussions with several organizations, including CARDI, FAO, IICA, Central Statistical Officeare being held. In addition, the AgriNeTT project has embarked on creating a series of e-agriculture ICT applications such as AgriExpense,AgriMarketWatcher, AgriDiagnose, and AgriMaps. The AgriExpense mobile application, which aims to assist farmers in theirfarm management, particularly in record keeping, was released so that more accurate operation costs are recorded. The app ispresently available for Android users and can be downloaded from the Google Play store. Further development of this moduleis in progress; extending to other mobile operating systems as well as for desktop users. The pests and diseases diagnosis application (AgriDiagnose) seeks to provide an intelligent decision support systemwhich offers pathologic advice to farmers and other practitioners. Added to this, modules which allow for the visualization ofreadily available spatial data are in the pipeline.