FFA Newsletter May 2022

FACULTY of FOOD and AGRICULTURE Newsletter Volume 9 Issue 1 April 2022 New Dean takes up Mantle Dr Mark Wuddivira became the new Dean of the Dr Mark Wuddivira Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) from 1st new Dean of the August 2021. Dr Wuddivira joined The University of the West Indies (UWI) as a doctoral student in soil Faculty of Food and Agriculture physics in 2003, he graduated in 2008. Soon after, he was appointed as a Temporary Lecturer in the FFA and national conferences, and has won oral and poster then promoted to a permanent Lecturer one year later. presentation prizes at international conferences.He is a Fellow of the Caribbean Academy of Sciences. Dr Wuddivira acted as the Manager of the The recognition of Dr Wuddivira’s work has led him to University Field Station before being appointed serve as Visiting Scientist/Lecturer and Academic Visitor as Deputy Dean - Undergraduate Student Affairs to several high profile universities and research institutes. from 2013 to 2016. After which he was appointed as the Head of the Department of Food Production. Dr Wuddivira’s teaching and research cover multidisciplinary areas: Soil Science, Soil Physics, During his tenure as Deputy Dean and Soil and Watershed Management, Irrigation and Head of Department, he also served on several Drainage Technology, Geography, Environmental senior management and academic committees. Science, Sustainable Land Use, Management and Development of Natural Resources and Geophysical Dr Wuddivira is Chair of the Management Methods for Environmental Sensing and Analysis. Committee of Tropical Agriculture (Trinidad) journal and an Associate Editor of the Journal of Before joining The UWI, Dr Wuddivira was Plant Nutrition and Soil Science, published by a Lecturer at the Department of Soil Science, at the Wiley. He has served as a reviewer for several Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), in Zaria, Nigeria. international high-impact journals. Dr Wuddivira has completed several research projects. His research has been on agricultural and environmental soil physics, soil structural stability, land, soil and water management, and soil natural capital and ecosystem service assessment with a focus on the management and sustainable use of humid tropical ecosystems under intense rainfall and the impact of deleterious land use practices. He has written and contributed 108 academic publications, 44 of which have appeared in refereed journals. Dr Wuddivira holds membership and has been involved in the activities of several professional bodies; assisting in organising conferences, serving as chairperson and judge at various sessions of international, regional and

2 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter New Department Head Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar is the new Head of the Department of Food Production. His tenure is for three years from August 2021. He joined The University of the West Indies, as a Senior Lecturer in 2014. Prior to this, he held a range of academic positions at Tamil Nadu Agricultural University in India, and University of Turin in Italy. His specialization is Plant Pathology, and he has over 15 years of experience in developing microbial based novel formulations for the management of plant health, including postharvest diseases. He aims to introduce contemporary programmes in the field of pesticide management and technology, plant medicine, food technology, agriculture and environment besides conventional degrees to produce graduates on par with international standards to better serve the region and suited to the evolving needs of the Governments and Industries. He intends to commercialize the research outputs of the department in the areas of biopesticides, seed production and compost pellets, besides venturing into insect innovation and tropical mushroom farming. Professor Saravanakumar is also working to strengthen the commercial testing services of the department on plant health diagnostics, animal feed analysis and soil and water quality analysis and to extend the services to seed quality testing, sale of quality and disease-free seedlings in high value crops, food safety and microbiology assessment. FFA Welcomes New Field Station Manager Mr Ayoub Mohammed is the and Research Project Management. and Food Engineering and an Adjunct newly appointed Manager He was the recipient of an OAS Lecturer during the period 2014- of the University Field Station. Mr fellowship, UWI scholarship and a 2018 at the University of Trinidad Mohammed is the holder of a BSc Cochran fellowship. He has published and Tobago, where he taught courses (Hons) degree in General Agriculture some of his work in Postharvest in Food Crop Production, Food and an MPhil degree in Agricultural Handling, Food Crop Production and Safety, Food Processing, Postharvest Engineering, both from The University Food Safety. Technology and Food Regulations. of the West Indies. He also holds During the period July 2016 to May an MBA (Distinction) from Anglia He joined the Ministry 2017 he acted as the Chief Executive Ruskin University and post-MBA and of Agriculture in 1996 where he Officer of NAMDEVCO. professional certificates in Corporate worked at the Extension Training Governance, Cost Management and and Information Services Division Business Process Re-Engineering, an Agricultural Officer 1. From Digital Strategy, Operations 2009 to 2012, he worked at the Management, Industrial Relations and National Agricultural Marketing Public Procurement from the Arthur and Development Corporation LoK Jack Global School of Business (NAMDEVCO) as Manager of the (ALGSB). He is currently pursuing a Piraco packinghouse facility where Professional Certificate in Facilities he was instrumental in revitalizing Management from the ALGSB. hot pepper exports, and marketing of local fresh fruits and vegetables to the Over the years, Mr Mohammed higher end of the local fresh produce has received international training market and to the National School in Postharvest Technology, Good Dietary Services Limited. Agricultural Practices, Food processing and Packaging and Hazard Analysis Mr Mohammed has been a and Critical Control Points (HACCP) part-time Lecturer at The UWI where he taught Postharvest Technology

Volume 9 Issue 1 3 Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception Study on Risk and Early Warning Systems in the Caribbean The Caribbean, collectively as a region, and as Data collection for this project began in individual nations, has acknowledged the need March 2022. Questionnaires are being disseminated for increased disaster resilience. The urgency for predominantly through online social media. action grows steadily as climate change leads to more Additionally, to ensure information from a wide intense and frequent realisations of risks. One untapped cross-section of the population is collected, risk reduction strategy is to understand, analyse community meetings led by the DoG, Office of and, by extension, improve the perception of risk Disaster Preparedness and Management and Tobago and early warning systems (EWS) in the Caribbean. Emergency Management Agency will be conducted in Tobago in the first phase of validation exercise. Perception here refers to people’s understanding, beliefs, attitudes, feelings and judgments. A person’s Following the data analysis and interpretation perception of risk determines which hazards they prepare of findings, a virtual conference outlining the for and how they prepare for them. There are instances knowledge acquired from the project will be where, despite the pandemic, some persons have a communicated to the relevant public and private false sense of optimism which leads them to believe sector stakeholders. that severely catastrophic events are unlikely to occur. Thus, creating an environment where the motivation for The DoG is hopeful that this project will self-protection is low. This has resulted in a mindset of strengthen the Caribbean’s risk perception and the complacency even with the advancements in disaster preparedness of citizens, and, as it relates to naturally science and management. induced disasters, effectively increase self-protective behaviours across the Caribbean. As such, the Department of Geography (DoG), Faculty of Agriculture, The University of the West Submitted by: Dr Gabrielle Thongs, Lecturer, Department of Indies, St Augustine, is spearheading a project, in Geography collaboration with the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), and the Disaster Risk Reduction Centre (DRRC) UWI, to ascertain the perception of risk and EWS of persons in four Caribbean countries; Jamaica, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Lucia and Trinidad and Tobago. Through support of the national disaster offices within the four countries, this risk perception study will be executed. The approach will be multidimensional in order to determine and analyse these perception differences across varying demographics, islands and hazards. The data collection instrument will take the form of an online questionnaire. The output of this research will be region- specific data used to customise risk communication and EWS messages. This research will help to create more effective communication techniques and strategies for COVID-19 and other hazards. This work is of great importance as the Caribbean consists of unique, small, isolated nations, with specific economic and environmental characteristics that are particularly vulnerable to disasters.

44 FFaaccuultltyyooffFFooooddaannddAAggrricicuultltuurreeNNeewwsslelettteerr Seed Fair Celebration on Earth Day The Faculty of Food Naturalist Club, the Biodiversity Caribbean region by improving and Agriculture (FFA), and Ecosystem Services Network the management of the diversity Department of Food Production (BES-Net) of Trinidad and of key vegetable food crops and launched its seed testing facility Tobago, the Water and Sewage to further develop and promote the at the University Field Station Authority (WASA), and the growing of crop varieties which by celebrating its first annual Mount Hope Veterinary School. are suited to the changing climate seed swap on Earth Day. in this region. It is hoped that The FFA had the the project will result in stronger The event brought together the opportunity to share their open- linkages being established between National Seed Bank, the AgroPlus pollinated corn varieties including The University of the West Indies, Seed Bank, Kairi Seed Bank, the their ICTA farm corn and UW7 the Ministry of Agriculture, Seed Vault and other seed saving sweet corn. various seed producing and saving enthusiasts to swap seeds and communities throughout Trinidad contribute to UWI Seed Bank. The seed facility is an and Tobago, other stakeholders Seed swapping is a gesture of output of the Research and throughout the region and exchanging seeds and it usually Development Impact funded international genebanks, to share takes place at an organized project, which aims to address food knowledge and climate resilient gathering. What better to celebrate and nutrition security concerns in germplasm. Earth Day than by sharing and the Caribbean region. The project swapping saved seeds. is entitled: \"Sustainable Seeds of Seed banks/seed herbaria Survival: Production, Processing are seed libraries set up to safeguard At the event, participants and Marketing (UWI-SOS).\" and conserve planting material traded and sold their seeds and in the event of catastrophes to freely shared information on the UWI-SOS proposes to ensure food security. In addition many plant varieties on display. contribute to the improvement to the UWI-SOS seed fair, farmers The participants included the Field of food and nutrition security are encouraged to collect, save of thousands of households in Trinidad and Tobago and the and sow, multiply, select, identify and catalogue seeds, in collaboration with the National Herbarium of Trinidad and Tobago. The primary goal of collecting seeds is the long- term conservation in seed banks of representative samples of the genetic diversity of seed- bearing plant populations (with priority being given to those that are most threatened). These samples can then be used in research, trials, re-introduction of underutilized crops and Members of the public listen attentively to Mr Dan Jaggernauth from the Field Naturalist Club

Volume 9 Issue 1 5 Seed Fair Celebration on Earth Day (Continued) habitat restoration. Many of these stakeholders together to encourage Major Objectives of populations are threatened by sharing and create a network of all the Project one or more factors such as land seed savers in Trinidad and Tobago. conversion, climate change and It is hoped that FFA will serve as a i. Development of a seed bank other catastrophic events. The platform to bolster the relationship collection of germplasm material seed bank provides a refuge for between the key stakeholders. from Trinidad and Tobago and local seed varieties throughout the other Caribbean countries. region. This is a crucial step towards Saving seeds plays an seed security and sovereignty at important role in sustaining ii. Establishment of a seed a time when patented seeds have security food and nutrition testing facility and certifying conquered the markets, leading to a security. It assures a consistent agency for seeds in Trinidad and scarcity of regional seed varieties. seed supply despite the incidence Tobago. of natural disasters, pandemics, The seed collection will supply chain disruptions and iii. Establishment of a include traditional plant varieties global conflicts. In addition to seed business and marketing of as well as plant material, which are improving food and nutrition specialized products, such as important for particular properties, security, seed saving contributes to the seed survival kit consisting such as their medicinal value seed genetic diversity and building of 16 open-pollinated seed and nutritional content. resilience of crops to withstand varieties and assorted sizes of the rigours of climate change UW7 corn and pigeon peas and One of the major objectives and pest and disease incidence. “seed bomb” specials. The seed of the event was to bring bombs represent the earth, made from recycled paper and infused with marigold seeds to be used as insect repellents, and the soil, made from clay and vermicompost infused with vegetable seeds (ochro, cherry tomato and chard). iv. Training work- shops for farmers/ producers, householders and other stakeholders in seed production and seed saving. v. Development of a seed policy in order to protect the diversity of local open-pollinated varieties in Trinidad and Tobago. Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar, right, interacts with staff Submitted by: Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, at the Kairi Seed Bank exhibit Lecturer, Department of Food Production

6 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter SOILCARE to #savesoil The Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) the countries’ abilities to prioritize actions to promote recently executed an agreement to support the integrated landscape management and restore degraded implementation of The Caribbean SOILCARE lands. project. The FFA is leading the execution of Component The project, funded by the Global Environment 1, which aims to update and strengthen national Fund (GEF), is a joint venture by the Partnership and regional soils information, technical capacity Initiative for Sustainable Land Management and coordination as a basis for improved decision (PISLM) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation making including Sustainable Soil Management (FAO), that seeks to create a conducive enabling (SSM) and Sustainable Land Management (SLM). environment supporting countries to establish, implement, monitor and report on progress The project is a first of its kind with a strong towards land degradation neutrality (LDN) targets. focus on soil and presents a model of institutional collaboration across scales and levels. Notably, it The project will enable the use of updated facilitates interaction among country focal points of the country and regional soil data and knowledge, including UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) soil carbon, which is lacking but essential, to design and the Global Soil Partnership (GSP) allowing the national LDN strategies. It will also inform soil greater collaboration and harmonization of activities. policies as well as the climate agenda in Small Island Eight participating countries will derive direct benefits Developing States (SIDS). This aids in strengthening from the project and the region will benefit from institutionalization of soil information systems through From left: the creation of the Caribbean Soil Information System Drs Ronald (CARSIS) hosted by the FFA. An increase in regional Roonar- expertise through scholarships and establishment ine, Gaius of a Regional Research, Advisory and Capacity Eudoxie Building (RAC) Facility will be able to promote and Machel innovation in agricultural systems and new adaptation Montano technologies at The UWI Agriculture Innovation Park. Save Soil Movement With soil as the basis of sustainable land management, the project and its implementing institutions have largely embraced the Save Soil Movement and are actively engaged in cooperative dialogue. Save Soil is a global movement launched by Sadhguru (well-known guru), to address the soil crisis by bringing together people from around the world to stand up for soil health, and to support leaders of all nations to institute national policies and actions toward increasing the organic content in cultivable soil. Soil organic carbon is recognised by the Rio Conventions as critical to food security, water security, soil security, livelihoods and migration. Soil health needs supportive policies in every nation; policies need people's support; people's

Volume 9 Issue 1 7 The event took place at the Santa Cruz Green Market in celebration of #savesoil movement, where the FFA was invited to the Edible Talk Series to present on Soils of Trinidad and Tobago. Attending were Dr the Honourable Nyan Gadsby Dolly, Mr Machel Montano, Mrs Renee Montano and \"Lady\" Liz Montano and FFA representatives, Dr Ronald Roopnarine and Dr Gaius Eudoxie. support needs awareness. Antigua and Barbuda, relevant institutions including The UWI to act and guide Barbados, Guyana, Suriname, Dominica, St Lucia and Caribbean countries on “How the goals can be attained”. St Kitts and Nevis have all signed the soil health MOU pledging to bring back at least 3 - 6% organic content in The FFA is planning a series of events with the soil. This action requires complementary action by the movement to get students involved and expand the awareness across the region. Join us in saving our soil. Submitted by: Dr Gaius Eudoxie, Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Production New Online Plant Quarantine - PPQ training course towards a Professional Certificate The Principles and Procedures in Plant Quarantine * The airport and packing-house consignments training course was delivered online for the first * Fumigation- sea port. time during the period, 13th September 2021– 10th As part of the virtual laboratory session, participants April, 2022. The year’s cohort consisted of 22 students had the opportunity to go on virtual seaport visits, from 16 countries throughout the region, with three conduct online laboratory sessions on insects, diseases facilitators. They taught courses consisting of nine and weeds, with laboratory simulations of inspections theoretical units in Semester 1, followed by a group using innovative tools such as EON XR. Voice recorded project and three virtual laboratory components in lessons with animated simulations were used to provide Semester 2. The laboratory component was 4 weeks realistic guidance throughout this self-paced course. long and ran from 9th March 2022 to 10th April 2022. Submitted by: Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, Lecturer, Department The following topics were covered in the virtual laboratory: of Food Production * Introduction to basic laboratory protocols

88 FFaaccuultlytyooffFFooooddaannddAAggrircicuultluturereNNeewwslseletteterr Secondary School Students Learn About DAEE's Programmes Five staff members of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension journeyed to the Point Fortin East Secondary School on Friday 22 April 2022 to deliver presentations to the Form 5 class on the career opportunities and programme options offered by the department. Led by Dr Tessa Barry, the team also comprised Dr Govind Seepersad, Dr Chanelle Joseph, Ms Tynessa Gay and Mr Joshu Morris. They shared information on the opportunities and careers in the fields of Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness, Human Ecology, Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Of the 97 students present, several showed keen interest in pursuing studies in the fields, asking questions about scholarships, funding, industry salaries and combining programmes and interests. Dr Chanelle Joseph gives a presentation on the Human Ecology programmes being offered by the Department Dr Govind Seepersad gives a presentation on Entrepreneurship and Agribusiness programmes Submitted by: Mr Joshu Morris, Technical Assistant, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension

Volume 9 Issue 1 9 Career Insights into the Disciplines of Human Nutrition and Dietetics and Foodservice Systems Management The fields of Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HN&D) and Foodservice Systems Management are two disciplines offered in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension (DAEE) and are avenues for career advancement. Becoming a Registered Dietitian (RD) is a career “What I enjoy focused on nutrition’s role in preventing and the most is interacting with clients treating diseases. RDs are the only professionals and seeing them have meaningful qualified to provide meal plans and medical nutrition change in their health through nutrition therapy or MNT (nutrition-based treatment for medical interventions. While many clients are non- conditions). Dietitians use evidence-based nutrition to compliant, those that genuinely try usually assist people with medical conditions at all stages of benefit greatly and that motivates me to life (from pregnancy to the elderly). RDs also tailor nutrition to meet the needs of people with developmental keep giving my best.” disabilities (eg. Autism, Down's Syndrome, etc.) and disordered eating patterns. Moreover, people Jael Nicholas, preparing for or recovering from surgeries, athletes Registered Dietitian and even those who simply want to increase their energy levels can all benefit from a RD’s services. provides an extensive knowledge base that RDs utilize for success in various work environments. At The UWI, St Augustine Campus, training RDs are employed in diverse areas including to become a RD includes pursuing the 3-year BSc the food industry, health promotion and disease degree in HN&D, followed by the 1-year Diploma in prevention, foodservice systems and education and Institutional and Community Dietetics and Nutrition can even be entrepreneurs. Dietitians in healthcare (DICDN). Upon successful completion, graduates facilities are involved in the management of patients’ are registered with the Trinidad and Tobago Board nutrition care, or are administrative dietitians for Nutritionists and Dietitians to obtain their license responsible for institutional foodservice operations. to practice as a RD. Continuing education is a major component of the discipline, whereby RDs are required Additionally, RDs work in corporate to keep abreast with the field’s latest developments to wellness; food and manufacturing companies; retain their license and improve their competencies. pharmaceutical companies; the school nutrition programme; teaching at secondary schools; gyms The DICDN provides graduates with more and fitness centres; research areas at universities or than 1200 hours of supervised practice in foodservice within the food industry and even private practice. management, clinical nutrition and community nutrition. This training substantiates the knowledge obtained For careers in foodservice, the Major in Foods and previously, and develops the critical skills needed to Foodservice Management offers training in accounting, interact with people and bring about behaviour change. food science, food safety and sanitation and facility Dietetic interns are placed under the supervision layout and design. To complement the Major, persons of preceptors (who are experienced dietitians) in can pursue another Major or Minor in Management, healthcare facilities and foodservice establishments. Entrepreneurship and Event Planning. This presents Dietetics education is multidisciplinary and draws on career opportunities in quality assurance at public knowledge of nutrition, physiology, biochemistry, and private institutions, manufacturing companies, food science, management and behavioural and social school nutrition and teaching. Individuals interested in sciences (eg. organizational behavior, economics, becoming chefs require additional training in culinary accounting and psychology). The training thus arts which can be pursued at another institution. Submitted by: Miss Mizaaj Mohammed, Associate Professional and Dr Isabella Francis-Granderson, Lecturer, DAEE

1100 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter FFA Staff Show off Creativity with \"Anything But a Bag\" Competition The Faculty of Food and Agriculture, like the rest of UWI staff, have had a challenging past year, transiting to work from home, rotation and now back to work in-person. To celebrate returning to the office, an \"Anything But a Bag\" competition was held on Tuesday 19 April 2022. Fourteen staff members took part in the competition, judged for creativity, innovatineness and usefulness. The fierce challenge saw some very creative and breathtaking presentations from all contestants. Four prizes were awarded. Anushka Goordeen, with \"Cinderella’s Pumpkin,\" emerged as the 1st prize winner Sonja Joseph, with \"Love of Bread\", placed 2nd

Volume 9 Issue 1 11 FFA Staff Show off Creativity with \"Anything But a Bag\" Competition (Continued) Melony John, with \"Back from Market\", placed 4th and was the winner of the People’s Choice Prize Rudi Browne, with the \"Mobile Computer,\" placed 3rd. Dean, Dr Mark Wuddivira, with the proud winners, showing off their creative spirit

12 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter New Programmes Offered by the Department of Food Production In This Issue BSc Major in Disaster Risk Resilience for Agriculture and the Environment New Dean takes up Mantle 1 To apply online please use link below: New Department Head 2 http://sta.uwi.edu/admissions/undergrad/how_to_apply_online.asp New Field Station Manager 2 For more information on both programmes, planned Knowledge, Attitudes and to start in September 2022, contact: Perception Study on Risk and Tel: 1-868-662-2002 (EXT. 82090) Early Warning Systems in the Email: food.production@ sta.uwi.edu Caribbean 3 Seed Fair Celebration on 4 Earth Day SOILCARE to #savesoil 6 PPQ training course 7 Secondary School Students Learn About DAEE's Programmes 8 Career Insights into the Disciplines of Human Nutri- tion and Dietetics and Foodservice Systems Management 9 \"Anything But a Bag\" 10 Competition New Programmes offered 12 by the Department of Food Production Layout and Design Ms Sarojini Ragbir Photography Miss Makanzw Pita and contributors Editors Ms Sarojini Ragbir and Mr Bruce Lauckner