FFA Newsletter January May 2018

FACULTY of FOOD and AGRICULTURE NewsletterVolume 7 Issue 1 January-May 2018Tackling the big issue of National Food and Nutrition Security From left: Dr Lynda Wickham, retired Senior Lecturer, FFA; Dr Wayne Ganpat, Dean FFA; Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Professor Brian Copeland, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Principal of St Augustine Campus; Professor Michael Clegg, Guest presenter; and Professor Dale Webber, Pro Vice- Chancellor, Graduate Studies and Research, The UWIThe Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) has at ways to focus research of national and regional needs; therefore, dedicated 2018 as the year to tackle the issue of the bringing together stakeholders to focus on this topic gets The national food and nutrition security. Three activities UWI’s full support.have been planned: The TechAgri Expo 2018 (22nd to25th March 2018); an international conference which is The Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Senator,carded to take place from 12th to 16th November 2018; the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, also addressed the audienceand a Food and Nutrition Security Symposium held on and stated that, “Unless we reform the public service and modernize10th May 2018. Launch of the new MSc in Value Addition the way we create and deliver goods and services, our best laid plansfor Food and Nutrition Security, which will start in will go to waste.” He indicated that the Ministry was working on aSeptember 2018, took place at the symposium. plan and that the outcome of the day’s discussions would contribute to the final plan. He advised the participants that they should give The symposium was an opportunity for representatives “robust” consideration on how they feed themselves. He added that,from diverse organizations to contribute to the discussions on “if deliberations did not address the need to change the structure ofnational food and nutrition security. At the opening session, the Ministry and The UWI’s curriculum, the task would not havethe Pro Vice-chancellor and Principal of St Augustine Campus, been complete. The Minister added that we have the responsibilityProfessor Brian Copeland, stated that the symposium fitted to support local producers. According to Minister Rambharat, wenicely within the UWI’s strategic plan, since The UWI is looking can influence policy and incentives, but cannot force production Continued on page 2

22 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletterand that the sector suffers from many Nutrition security, for environmental In This Issue 1challenges. degradation and is in greatest Food Security Symposium Also addressing the opening jeopardy for climate related disasters.session was feature speaker Professor The challenge for the Americas techAgri Expo 2018 3Emeritus, Michael Clegg, Programme will be to retain the ability toLeader, Inter-Ameican Network of feed and adequately nourish itself Graduate Student Wins 2018 RiceAcademies of Science Programme as well as making an importanton Food and Nutrition Security for contribution to the food supplies Award 3the Americas. Professor Clegg stated available to the rest of the world.”that the Caribbean is among the most Professor Clegg also techAgri Expo 2018 4vulnerable regions of the American gave a public lecture on 9th Mayhemisphere due to declining arable 2018 on “Successes in Food Making Agriculture 9land inventory, high population and Nutrition Security in Latin Profitable and Sustainable density, climate change, sea level America and the Caribbean”.raise, extreme weather events, not The symposium consisted Eco-friendly Approaches forself-sufficient in food production and of four panels: Panel 1 dealt with Management of Vegetable Diseases 10declining agricultural production. “What can you afford to put on your He added that a key future plate?” Panel 2 dealt with “Get up, Technology Stewardship forchallenge is to produce more healthy get moving, eat well-how do we get Utilizing ICTs in Agriculturalfood without increasing agricultural on the path of healthy living?” Panel Communities 11acreage, while at the same time 3 dealt with “Feeding our future foodreducing greenhouse gas emissions needs” and panel 4 dealt with “Do Value Chain Workshop to Shareand wastage. we really need to think about climate Industry Best Practices and Lessons 11According to Professor Clegg, “The change and global financial systems?”Caribbean is the most vulnerable A final report will be prepared Nutritional and Health Effects ofregion in the Americas for Food and and shared with stakeholders. the Consumption of Undervalued Tamarindus indica fruit 12 Faculty of Food and Agriculture students to serve on Guild Council 13 Layout and Design Ms Sarojini Ragbir Photography Mr Terry Sampson, Ms Makanzwa Pita and contributors Editors Ms Sarojini Ragbir and Dr Wayne GanpatAudience listen attentively to Professor Emeritus Michael Clegg, at a publiclecture on “Successes in Food and Nutrition Security in Latin America andthe Caribbean” held on Wednesday 9th May 2018

VVoolluummee77IIssssuuee11 33Goat’s Milk at techAgri Expo 2018 Graduate Student Wins 2018 Rice Leadership and Innovation AwardFrom left: Professor Indar Ramnarine, Deputy Principal; Professor Brian Mr Alpha Sennon, graduateCopeland, Principal; Dr Wayne Ganpat, Dean, FFA; Mr Frank Soodeen, Campus student the Department ofLibrarian sampling goat’s milk Agricultural EconomicsPhoto: Atiba Cudjoe and Extension, FFA, is the winner of the 2018 Rice Award for LeadershipThe University Field Station for business and individuals alike, and Innovation for WHYFARM. launched its goat’s milk at it is more than time to lend support This award is given annually in the techAgri Expo 2018. to the Ministry of Agriculture recognisation of the achievements ofThe expo, which was ran for four in its call to ‘buy local’ and an exceptional young professionaldays, opened on Thursday 22nd turn our much touted creativity working in the field of internationalMarch 2017 with a ceremony at into profitable endeavours.” development.which the Dean of the Faculty,Dr Wayne Ganpat warned the The expo served as a Mr Sennon foundedaudience, “Make no bones about it, platform where entrepreneurs, WHYFARM, a nonprofitTrinidad and Tobago is not a food investors and the general public organisation in Trinidad andsecure nation. As a consequence we were able to interact and network Tobago, which focuses on educatingneed all hands on deck to provide and shop for items ranging from and engaging youth in agriculture.some level of food security for vegetables to tractors and to see WHYFARM works with schools,our children.” Also addressing the technological advances made organises farm visits, and createdthe audience was Professor Brian in agricultural production methods. a superhero, AGRIMAN, with aCopeland, Principal of the St comic book, gadgets and a fan club.Augustine Campus. He stated: “We There were guided tours to By 2017, WHYFARM was launchedhave grown accustomed to a wide various parts of the Faculty as well in seven countries: Zambia,variety of food and drink brought as to the National Herbarium which Rwanda, Nigeria, Kenya, Colombia,here from all parts of the world. maintains an archival collection Cameroon and Haiti.Alongside this easy access has been of indigenous and exotic plantsan unnerving increase in obesity of Trinidad and Tobago, with the The FFA congratulates Mrand chronic lifestyle diseases.” He earliest specimens dating from Sennon on his achievement.added: “Now that access to foreign 1842. The University Field Stationexchange has become challenging set up a mini zoo where visitors were able to see some of the Field Continued on Page 4

4 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewslettertechAGRI Expo 2018 continued from page 3Station’s animals in addition to vermiculture. these flours, chocolate and otherselling various products from Several hydroponics and cocoa products and local teas suchthe farm. The FFA’s Agricultural as orange peel, fever grass andInnovation Park also sold a wide aquaponic systems were on dis- bamboo, which were packaged inarray of its vegetables and fruits. play. In addition, there were ap- tea bags. proximately 200 invited exhibitors Visitors were invited to showcasing entrepreneurship and The expo was promoted asfree workshops on: the future of innovation in agriculture. On dis- a family affair, thus children werecoffee, landscape management, play were locally made soaps, can- not left out and were able to enjoyhydroponics, composting essent- dles, jewelry from paper and other the bouncy castle and other funials, basic home gardening, and agricultural products, coconut oil, activities.aquaponics composting and jams, wines, cassava flour, Over 3,000 students with sweet potato their teachers visited the expo and flour and baked 6000 more visitors attended the products from expo over the four days. 1 3Students fascinated by the specimens from the Zoology Museum Minister Rambharat and Dean Ganpat in discussionsAn agri-business entrepreneur displays products for sale Mr Micah Martin explains vermicomposting (using earthworms to turn organic wastes into very high quality compost) to students

Volume 7 Issue 1 5 techAGRI Expo 2018 Students learn about the National Herbarium collection from Mr Dan Jaggernauth, member of the Field Naturalists’ Club Visitors purchasing seedlings Young students tour the facilities at the faculty

6 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter techAGRI Expo 2018 Fun timeStudents show the little ones how to use the hula hoop 1 1 Visitors take part in air plane flying competition2 Water-melon eating competition Visitors join in aerobic exercises

Volume 7 Issue 1 7 Fountain which techAGRI Expo 2018 greeted visitors to the expo designed by Mr Mr Nkosi Felix Glen Byer of FFA demonstrates hydroponic and aquaponic systems to students The colourful, creative, innovative craft booth

8 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter techAGRI Expo 2018 WorkshopsDr Floyd Homer facilitates workshop on “the future of coffee” On Sunday, the first mini- workshop titled “CompostingAs part of the techAgri Expo Instructor in the Department of Essentials” attracted 43 persons. This 2018, a series of mini- Food Production. Fifty individuals workshop was facilitated by Dr Gaius workshops were held on participated in this workshop and Eudoxie, a Lecturer in the DepartmentSaturday 24th March and Sunday, were provided with basic knowledge of Food Production. The workshop25th, 2018 in Lecture Theatre A, in the fundamental elements of provided participants with insights onFaculty of Food and Agriculture. landscaping, including different how they can begin composting. plant types for a range of landscapes, The first mini-workshop materials, and site preparation. “Basic Home Gardening”titled “The Future of Coffee”, was facilitated by Mr Bryan Smith, a PhDfacilitated by Dr Floyd Homer. Dr The final mini-workshop student in the Department of FoodHomer gave a brief insight into for the day titled “Hydroponics” Production, attracted 65 personscoffee production worldwide as well was facilitated by Mr Nkosi Felix, who received information on theas coffee production and processing an MPhil student in Agricultural basic elements and principles ofin Trinidad and Tobago. Fifty-five Economics and Extension. This home gardening.participants attended the workshop. session provided a basic understanding of hydroponics, including soilless The final mini-workshop The second mini-workshop crop production and controlled which attracted 65 participants,was titled “Landscape Management environment agriculture. Ninety-three was on Aquaponics, and wasfor Entrepreneurs” and was individuals participated in the session. facilitated by Mr Rakesh Bhukal.facilitated by Dr Oral Daley, an Mr Bhukal dealt with the various techniques of aquaponics, including the integration of recirculation fish production systems with hydroponic vegetable production. Excerpts from report submitted by: Dr Marquitta Webb, Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension. Participants listen attentively

Volume 7 Issue 1 9 Making Agriculture Profitable and Sustainable Submitted by Thara Gabriel Business Development Unit, Dean’s OfficeThe Faculty of Food and selection and seed technology, and The first workshop of the the Cropper Foundation Climate Smart Agriculture Training are currently engaged the implementation of other climate took place over five days (9th to 23thin a collaborative project titled April 2018) with 33 participants.Making Agriculture Profitable and adaption strategies. The second workshop took placeSustainable. The objective of the from 30th April to 14th May 2018.project is to support the adoption of The project seeks to increaseclimate smart agricultural practicesthrough training and capacity productivity and nutritional qualitybuilding for crop farmers. of wholesome and safe foods. Training will focus on pest anddisease management, soil and water The FFA’s task under thismanagement, crop and varietal agreement, includes conducting comprehensive training (theory and practical) for a minimum of 50 participants drawn from both Technical Support/Extension Officers (TSOs) and farmers.Participants Participantslisten at theattentively climate smart agricultural practices workshop Dr Gaius Eudoxie demonstrates composting to participants

1010 FFaaccuullttyyooffFFooooddaannddAAggrriiccuullttuurreeNNeewwsslleetttteerr Eco-friendly Approaches for the Management of Vegetable Diseases“Promoting Agriculturally Important Microorganisms to address the Challenges in Food Safety and Food Security in the Caribbean”Atwo-day workshop on eco-friendly The workshop was organised under approaches for the management of vegetable the auspices of the UWI-RDI (Research diseases was conducted at the Department of Development Impact) funded project and wasFood Production, FFA from 25th to 26th April, 2018. coordinated by Dr Duraisamy Saravanakumar, The workshop dealt with the use of eco- Senior Lecturer, Department of Food Production.friendly approaches for the management of diseasesin vegetable crops. Some of the innovative techniques Submitted by: Dr Duraisamyand practices discussed included: the use of suitable Saravanakumar, Senior Lecturer,crops for intercropping and crop rotation to reducethe incidence of fungal and bacterial diseases, the Department of Food Productionuse of biocontrol agents and its mechanisms incontrolling the disease under tropical conditions,composting for suppression of soil borne disease, sustainable practices for the managementof insects transmitting viruses, botanicalsincluding seaweed extracts, chemicalfree approaches for home gardening andprotected cultivation of lettuce, ecologyand symptoms of diseases at the fieldlevel and diagnosis at molecular level. The participants were from variousdivisions of the Ministry of Agriculture, Landand Fisheries, graduate students and farmers.They were given vegetable diseased specimensto diagnose and to develop eco-friendlyapproaches suitable for tropical conditions. Participants identifying diseased specimens and developing eco- friendly approaches for their management in the Plant Pathology Lab in the Faculty of Food and Agriculture

Volume 7 Issue 1 11Technology Stewardship for Utilizing ICTs in Agricultural Communities was the first of its kind to own campaigns for troubleshooting an ICT-based strategy in a specific apply participatory and agricultural community. The course was offered in action-oriented research collaboration with the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Department of the to promote ICTs in Agricultural Economics and Extension, the University of Alberta and the agriculture. A key lesson University of Guelph. Participants, including one from the Bahamas, from the course was that represented various institutions; the Ministry of Agriculture, the private extension agents should sector, producer organizations, and regional development organisations. seek to utilise the low Dr Gordon Gow, Director and Associate Professor of Extension cost digital technologies Communications at the University of Alberta and Dr Ataharul Chowdhury, that their target Lecturer in Agriculural Extension, FFA, facilitated the training. population is already Dr Ataharul comfortable using, such Chowdhury, Lecturer,Dr Gordon Gow in discussion with course participants as SMS, Facebook, Department of or WhatsApp. These AgriculturalTechnology stewardship is a platforms can enable extension agents Economics and leadership role within any kind to more easily and quickly address Extension, who of community of practice. It farmers’ time-sensitive and dynamic submitted the article, interacts withdemonstrates change leadership in the issues (eg pests, disease, weather) and participantsadoption and use of low cost digital reach more people. At the end of the is to strengthen industry knowledge and capacity to apply an effectivetechnologies for communications, course, participants designed their value chain approach so as to unlock the full benefits of their enterprises.training and knowledge transfer. It will be co-hosted by academic experts from the Scholars in the Caribbean have University of Akureyri, Iceland and the University of Iceland, and thebeen researching how agricultural Caribbean Fisheries Training and Development Institute (CFTDI)extension agents can utilize ICTs to with expertise, wide experience and successful backgroundmore effectively connect with the in value chain development in fisheries and aquaculture.communities they serve. On 9thand 10thMarch, 2018, agricultural and ruraldevelopment professionals gatheredfor an intensive course on utilizingICTs in their work. The course was theresult of international collaborationbetween researchers in Canada, SriLanka and Trinidad and Tobago. ItValue Chain Workshop Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago, toto Share Industry Best Practices hold a second Value Chain Workshop,and Lessons hoping to open doors to greater industry engagement and ultimately The Department of to maximize value from the fisheriesAgricultural Economics and resources harvested in the region.Extension, Faculty of Food and The workshop takes placeAgriculture (FFA) is teaming from 22nd to 24th May 2018 in Portup with the Caribbean Regional of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.Fisheries Mechanism (CRFM), the It seeks to foster and strengthenUnited Nations University Fisheries interactions and exchanges betweenTraining Programme (UNU- public and private sector partiesFTP) and the Fisheries Division, actively engaged in the industry.Ministry of Agriculture, Land and The objective of the workshop

12 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsletterHealth Corner Nutritional and Health Effects of the Consumption of Undervalued Tamarindus indica (tamarind) fruit By Drs Sa’eed Bawa and Marquitta Webb Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension as abnormalities in intracellular anemia, especially in persons magnesium homeostasis have been following a vegetarian lifestyle. linked to the increase risk for the Tamarind products are development of insulin resistance, type commonly used as health remedies 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension and throughout Asia, Africa and the cardiovascular diseases. The beneficial Americas. Tamarind fruit is regarded effects of magnesium intake may be as a digestive, carminative, laxative, explained by several mechanisms, expectorant and blood tonic. The including improvement of glucose laxative effect of tamarind is and insulin homeostasis, lipid due to the high content of malic metabolism, vascular or myocardial acid, tartaric acid and potassium.Tamarindus indica or tamarind is an contractility, endothelium-dependent Tamarind preparationsimportant food in tropical countries. vasodilation, antiarrhythmic effects, are universally recognized forTamarind fruit pulp is used for and anti-coagulant or antiplatelet reducing fevers, and as laxativesseasoning, as a food component, to effects. Magnesium is more effective and carminatives. Alone, or inflavour confections, curries and sauces, in reducing blood pressure (BP) when combination with lime juice, honey,and is a main component in juices and administered as multiple minerals in milk, dates, spices or camphor, thecertain beverages. It is eaten fresh and a natural form and as a combination pulp is considered to be effectiveoften made into a juice and can also with magnesium, potassium, and as a digestive; to be used as abe processed into jam and sweets (eg calcium than when given alone, remedy for biliousness and bileTamarind balls). which indicated that consuming disorders, and as an antiscorbutic. A 100 g serving of tamarind tamarind will be more effective in In traditional Indian andpulp provides more than five grams of reducing BP than when magnesium African practice, the pulp is applieddietary fiber. Due to high concentration is ingested in the form of supplement. on inflammations, is used as a gargleof potassium and magnesium, tamarind A 100 g serving of tamarind for sore throat and, mixed withdrinks and juices can be recommended provides about three grams of dietary salt, as a cream for rheumatism.for people, who have hypertension iron, which is 35% of recommended Tamarind fruit is commonlyas these minerals counteract the daily intake. The high iron content in used throughout Southeast Asia as anegative effects of sodium in the body. tamarind can be useful in the prevention poultice applied to foreheads of feverLow intakes of magnesium as well and management of iron deficiency sufferers. In traditional Thai medicine, the fruit of the tamarind is used as aNutritional value of tamarind fruit/100 g [USDA National Nutrient data base] digestive aid, carminative, laxative,Nutrient Nutrient %RDA Nutrient Nutrient %RDA expectorant and blood tonic. Tamarind value value has been used in the treatment ofEnergy 239 Kcal 12% Vitamin E 0.10 mg <1% a number of ailments, includingCarbohydrates 62.50 g 40% Vitamin K 2.8 µg 2% alleviation of sunstroke, Datura poisoning and the intoxicating effectsProtein 2.80 g 5% Sodium 28 mg 2% of alcohol and ‘ganja’ (Cannabis sativa L.). It is used as a gargle forTotal Fat 0.60 g 3% Potassium 628 mg 13% sore throats, dressing of wounds. Tamarind is a fruit withDietary Fiber 5.1 g 13% Calcium 74 mg 7%Folates 14 µg 3.5% Copper 0.86 mg 9.5%Niacin 1.938 mg 12% Iron 2.80 mg 35%Pantothenic 23% diverse uses and hence shouldacid 0.143 mg 3% Magnesium 92 mg Pyridoxine 0.066 mg 5% Phosphorus 113 mg 16% be given more recognition forThiamin 0.428 mg 36% Selenium 1.3 µg 2% all its beneficial properties.Vitamin A 30 IU 1% Zinc 0.10 mg 1%Vitamin C 3.5 mg 6% Carotene-ß 18 µg --

Volume 7 Issue 1 13 Faculty of Food and Agriculture students to serve on Guild Council The UWI student body voted four Faculty of Food and Agriculture students to represent them on the Guild in anelection which took place on Thursday 8th March 2018. The FFA is proud of their achievements and wish them all the success in their new roles. This is what they had to say about their goals and aspirations. Brandon S Abraham, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Guild Representative “Having served on the guild at another institution, my drive in reaching my ultimate goal of moving my country of Trinidad and Tobago towards a food sustainable nation grew even stronger on this new platform I now hold. I believe that the Caribbean can be a self-sustainable nation when it comes to food. We in the Caribbean are gifted with many talents, and one of these is producing the best quality food. Over the years, in my role as a youth leader and activist, I see many persons who are willing to get involved, especially the young ones within the food production sector. With united support and youth involvement in leadership roles, the achievement of food sustainability is not far behind. The students of FFA are the catalyst for change, each department has a critical role to play whether in research, outreach or creating businesses, because the nation and the Caribbean need to be food sufficient in the growing world.” Tariq Ali, Guild Vice President “Leaders are those who are persistent and keep trying every time they fall. They keep going even when things get hard. I am currently a year 1 postgraduate student pursuing the MSc in Tropical Crop Protection Specialization, Plant Pathology and Virology. Four years ago I started off as The UWI Agricultural Society Vice President (2015/2016), then Faculty of Food and Agriculture Representative (2016/2017), Deputy to the office of the Guild Vice President (2017/2018) and now Guild Vice President (2018/2019). My reason for going up for elections year after year is because I see the opportunity to make a change and give others a voice to advocate and a space for activism on campus, which will be reflected in the wider society. Through the Guild Vice President portfolio, I see that so much can be done in raising awareness and being the catalyst for change. Some of my biggest goals are to continue to push for having a food secure region, fighting for equal rights, giving a voice to the voiceless and most importantly, making sure that no child goes to sleep hungry.” Thaiz Smith, Guild Games Committee Chairperson “When someone asks for a paragraph of yourself, I automatically get this sticky feeling inside about who am I.Am I defined by my actions, my words , my deeds, my morals and values ? The answer is yes, and I’m certainly defined by my beautiful Faculty of Food andAgriculture. I am strong , I’ve dealt with it all. I am fierce, to enter a world dominant by men. I am woman because I continue to defy the odds and break glass ceilings.” Videsh Mosodeen, National Affairs Committee Chairperson Coming from humble beginnings, Mr Mosodeen expresses his interest in helping persons who may have challenging backgrounds, while also working towards increased community development. He is also very interested in politics as he sees it as an avenue which, if properly used, can instigate change, which can benefit all citizens. The FFA congratulates its young leaders!