FFA Newsletter October 2022

FACULTY of FOOD and AGRICULTURE Newsletter V olu me 9 I ssue 2 October 2022 Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science Degree at UWI's Graduation Ceremony and Honoured by the Faculty of Food and Agriculture Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted plants a Chaconia tree with assistance from the Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Dr Mark Wuddivira (see page 2)

2 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science Degree at UWI's Graduation Ceremony and Honoured by the Faculty of Food and Agriculture Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted was awarded an the Caribbean, the picture is also bleak; 16% of people Honorary Doctor of Science degree on 27 October 2022 are undernourished and nearly one third of women of at UWI’s graduation ceremony for her global contributions reproductive age are anaemic. to Agricultural Science and Nutrition. She added, during the decade starting around 2005, On 28 October 2022, the Faculty of Food and achievements were made in tackling the scourge of hunger Agriculture (FFA) held an award and tree planting ceremony with significant reductions in some of the above statistics, in her honour.At this event, Dr Haraksingh Thilsted toured the but since 2019 many of these gains have been reversed by University Field Station and laboratories within the faculty. the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic. She recognised Afterwards, she was presented with an award by the Dean that both CARICOM in general and Trinidad and Tobago of the FFA, Dr Mark Wuddivira and planted a Chaconia tree in particular have recognised the vital importance of paying outside the Sir Frank Stockdale Building. In the afternoon, much more attention to the regional and national food she visited the Food and Agriculture Organization Office in systems and there are now commitments to food systems Port of Spain with Dr Wuddivira and Dr Ronald Roopnarine. transformations. Dr Haraksingh Thilsted graduated from the Tropical Dr Haraksingh Thilsted went on to describe Agriculture programme at the Faculty of Agriculture, how aquatic foods should play a major role in these UWI in 1971. She holds a PhD from the Royal Veterinary transformations. She described aquatic foods as super foods and Agricultural University in Denmark and also holds being nutritious, high in micronutrients and essential fatty an Honorary Doctorate from the Swedish University of acids, and environmentally friendly. They don’t require Agricultural Sciences. much in the way of expensive inputs such as feed and She is the Global Lead for Nutrition and Public fertilisers etc and they do not make a significant contribution Health at WorldFish, a One CGIAR entity. She was awarded to greenhouse gas emissions. She stated that aquatic foods the 2021 World Food Prize for her ground-breaking research, contribute to the three pillars of sustainable development, critical insights, and landmark innovations in developing namely social, economic and environment. holistic, nutrition-sensitive approaches to aquatic food Despite the Caribbean countries being small systems. islands surrounded by productive oceans, she noted that our She is a member of the Steering Committee consumption of aquatic foods is low, stating that the world of the High Level Panel of Experts on Food Security average is 20.5 kg per person per year, but in the Caribbean and Nutrition of the United Nations (UN) Committee this figure is only 9.9 kg per person per year. She stated that on World Food Security and Vice Chair of the UN the production and consumption of aquatic foods should be Food Systems Summit 2021: Action Track 4 - Advance actively promoted with women and youth actively engaged. Equitable Livelihoods, and also a Food Systems Champion. The narrative should change from ‘feeding a growing She plays a pivotal role in promoting aquatic food systems population’ to ‘nourishing people and planet’. for nourishing nations and achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. In 2021 she was awarded the Arrell Dr Haraksingh Thilsted’s final conclusions were: Global Food Innovation Award for research innovation. • We must recognise the crucial role of aquatic foods in transformation towards sustainable, nutritious UWI Public lecture and equitable food systems • We must amplify investments in research, On Wednesday 26 October 2022, Dr Haraksingh Thilsted innovations and scaling of aquatic foods at household, gave a UWI public lecture entitled “Transforming food national, regional and global levels systems: building resilience, nourishing people and • We must empower champions through capacity improving livelihoods with aquatic foods”. According to building, knowledge sharing and bridging digital divides Dr Haraksingh Thilsted, many people on this planet are not to advance transformation in aquatic food systems. in a fortunate position with regards to food and nutrition security; 828 million faced hunger in 2021; a whopping 3.16 Holistic food, land and water systems transformation billion could not afford a healthy diet and 22% of children must build on the principles of sustainability and diversity under 5 years are stunted by malnutrition. Specifically for to nourish all people and our planet.

Volume 9 Issue 2 3 Partnership with Emphasis on Youth and Agriculture “There is no better place to chart your limitless possibilities than the UWI-FFA! Your enrolment in the UWI- FFA places you in unparalleled standing, as you are now part of a rich legacy of excellence in teaching, learning, research, and innovation that has spanned a period of 100 years, stemming from the Imperial College of Tropical Agriculture (ICTA), established in 1921.” This advice was given at the orientation sessions held From left: The Honourable Foster Cummings, Dr Mark at The UWI on 13 October 2022 by the Dean of the Wuddivira and Dr the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Dr Mark Wuddivira, to the 100 young participants who were chosen for the and emphasises the focus on youth and agriculture and Professional Certificate in Shade House Production and its importance as we attempt to improve our food and Management. nutrition security.\" The Dean added, “the Government, through the Also addressing the audience were the Minister Ministry of Youth Development and National Service of Youth Development and National Service, the (MYDNS) and the citizens of this nation, has placed their Honourable Foster Cummings; Minister of Education, trust in you to unravel the most complex issues of food Dr the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly; and Permanent security and hydroclimatic disasters. Make the most of Secretary in the MYDNS, Mr Farook Hosein. this opportunity. The boundary lines for your success have The Honourable Foster Cummings, in his feature been clearly marked. Your rise requires your boldness and address stated, “the Ministry recognises the importance intuitive imagination. You are destined to be a leader, a of youth participation in agriculture for its continuity trailblazer, developing innovative solutions to trending and growth within Trinidad and Tobago. Through this global issues of food and nutrition security, resilient programme, the Ministry will support agro-agents of agro-environmental systems, and effectively contributing change and maintain high levels of innovation, passion towards sustainable development and climate resilience and youth leadership within the agriculture sector.” action. We indoctrinate 100 youths who represent the Dr the Honourable Nyan Gadsby-Dolly, genesis of what I consider a major stepping stone for congratulated those who have made the shade house elevating the agricultural sector in Trinidad and Tobago.\" project possible. She stated that, “with innovation, He added, \"this Professional Certificate in motivation and investments like these, food security will Shade House Production and Management, developed be realised.” by the FFA in collaboration with MYDNS, serves as a They thanked The UWI, and by extension, the signal of the path the Government is traveling towards Faculty of Food and Agriculture, for playing such a supportive role in this endeavour. Participants of the Professional Certificate in Shade House Production and Management

4 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter Collaborative talks with Cuban Ambassador Her Excellency Tania Diego Olite, Ambassador from the Republic of Cuba to the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago, visited the FFA on Tuesday, 6 September 2022 and met with the Dean and other Faculty representatives to discuss collaboration between the FFA and the University of Havana, Cuba. From Left: Mr Julio Cabada (Counsellor for Trade and Cooperation, Cuban Embassy), Mrs Donna Caesar (Administrative Of- ficer, FFA), Dr Mark Wuddivira (Dean, FFA), H.E Dr Tania Diego Olite (Cuban Ambassador, Embassy of Cuba in Port of Spain), Dr Corinne Wong (Veterinary Officer, FFA) and Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar (Head of Department of Food Production) Among the issues discussed were: the development of a memorandum of understading for staff and student interchanges with the Agricultural University of Havana and two of their agricultural centres; assisting MSc students in research by facilitating visits to Cuba; virtual internships for final year undergraduate students; establishment of a model farm with FFA with foci on solar energy, embryo transfer and farming activities from farm to table using modern technology; and working with personnel with technical skills in agricultural biotechnology, use of renewable energy in cultivation of crops, precision agriculture and animal production systems.

Volume 9 Issue 2 5 The Faculty Celebrates World Food Day-Leave No One Behind “We must move forward with a plan to feed ourselves and become more sustainable. The UWI is committed to support the nation’s and region’s goals of sustainable development, food security and issues related to climate change. The UWI will be front and centre in this endeavour.” This according to Professor Rose-Marie Antoine, the initiatives of the Faculty including the training of 100 Pro-Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal, at a youths in shade house production and management in candle light vigil hosted by the Faculty of Food and collaboration with the Ministry of Youth Development Agriculture (FFA) on Monday 17 October 2022, in and National Service. observance of World Food Day 2022. The Food and Agriculture Representative, Mr Also addressing the participants was Senator Reuben Robertson, also addressed the audience and the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, spoke on the significance of food security, nutrition and Land and Fisheries. He reiterated the importance of environmental challenges and need for partnerships farmers, fisher folk and key stakeholders across the among key regional institutes. Also attending the agriculture sector. Minister Hosein commended The vigil was Chairman of NAMDEVCO, Mr Wayne UWI for their continued efforts and support saying, “we Innis, Student Guild Council FFA Representative, Ms remain grateful for the advice and guidance from key Mercedes Archer and Acting Public Relations Officer, partners like The UWI and FAO as we continue to take Student Guild Committee, Mr Jabez van-John. steps to reduce our food import bill and increase local The FFA also participated in the World Food production across the value and distribution chains.” Day exhibition at the FAO's premises in Port of Spain Dr Mark Wuddivira, Dean of the FFA, spoke on on Friday 14 October 2022. Leading the vigil, from left: Professor Rose-Marie Antoine, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Campus Principal; Senator the Honourable Kazim Hosein, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries; Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar, Head of the Department of Food Production; Dr Mark Wuddivira, Dean of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture and Professor Indar Ramnarine, Deputy Principal

6 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter Celebrating Our Students CRUSSIE MOISE is a 2020 first class honours graduate of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Food and Agriculture (The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus), where she received a BSc degree in Human Nutrition and Dietetics. Crussie is from St Lucia and is a recipient of a 2021 Fulbright Scholarship Awards under the Foreign Fulbright Eastern Caribbean Programme. She is currently pursuing nutrition at the University of Illinois at Chicago, USA. GABRIELLE MOLLINEAU is one of six Trinidad and Tobago students who were selected for the 2022 Fulbright Scholarship Awards. Gabrielle is currently pursuing a Masters in Public Health at Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. Gabrielle is a 2019 first class honours graduate of the Department of Food Production and Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Food and Agriculture (The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus), where she obtained a BSc in Agricultural Technology and a BSc in Nutritional Sciences respectively.

Volume 9 Issue 2 7 Celebrating Our Students LAKEYIA JOSEPH is a final year student in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Food and Agriculture (The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus), majoring in BSc Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship. Lakeyia resides in Bense, Dominica and has distinguished herself in leadership roles in her respective field. She has always maintained her passion for service and commitment to excellence as well as empowerment. Lakeyia’s ‘Nature Blends’ agribusiness is generating employment and contributing to economic movement of Dominica. At the 13th National Youth Award in Dominica held on Monday 26 September 2022, Lakeyia was the recipient of the Outstanding Youth in Entrepreneurship, Female Youth of the Year, and the Prime Minister’s National Youth Leader of the Year Award for her outstanding youth leadership and service to community as well as excelling as a young entrepreneur. NANDANI SAMUEL is a past student of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Faculty of Food and Agriculture (The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus), where she majored in a BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2018) and completed the Diploma in Institutional and Community Nutrition and Dietetics (Internship) (2019). She is currently a registered dietitian under the Trinidad and Tobago Board of Nutritionists and Dietitians as well as the dietitian on board at the Diabetes Association of Trinidad and Tobago (DATT). Nandani was one of 25 persons who were honoured by the Ministry of Youth Development and National Service at the 26th edition of the National Youth Awards on Sunday 25 September 2022, for work done within the past year in various categories that contributed to the development of Trinidad and Tobago. Nandani received the Youth Champion–Health and Wellness Award for various avenues of education that she provides to youths, such as conducting health courses free of charge, lectures with police youth clubs across the country and other youth organizations. She delivers nutrition education to the public on diabetes at DATT and is the co-author of a healthy eating workbook. Nandani is very passionate about nutrition and paving a path for youths in the hope that one day she will have contributed to making our country a healthier nation.

8 8 FFaaccuullttyy ooff FFoooodd aanndd AAggrriiccuullttuurree NNeewwsslleetttteerr Celebrating Our Students SAFIYA BECKFORD is reading for a doctoral degree in Human Ecology with a concentration in Sports Nutrition at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension (DAEE), Faculty of Food and Agriculture, (The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus). Safiya is a recipient of a 2021 UWI Postgraduate Scholarship. She graduated with first class honours in the BSc in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (2013) and completed the Diploma in Institutional and Community Nutrition and Dietetics (Internship) (2016) from the DAEE. In 2018, Safiya was a recipient of the Fulbright Scholarship Awards and pursued a Masters in Nutrition and Exercise Sciences at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln, USA. Safiya currently has eight publications in refereed journals and has presented papers at several conferences. TYNESSA GAY is pursuing a postgraduate degree in Agricultural Economics at the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension (DAEE) and is the recipient of the 2021-2024 McGill-UWI Queen Elizabeth Scholarship for pursuance of work in Climate Adaptation & Resilient Communities: Policy, Research and Practice at McGill University, Quebec, Canada. Tynessa received her BSc in Economics and Management Studies (2009) from the Faculty of Social Sciences and a Masters in Agricultural Economics with concentrations in Marketing and Agribusiness Management (2015) from the DAEE, Faculty of Food and Agriculture (The University of the West Indies, St Augustine Campus). Tynessa was also awarded a Masters in Institutional Innovation and Effectiveness from the Arthur Lok Jack Global School of Business.

Volume 9 Issue 2 9 Celebrating Our Students Tracy Marshall is a Stemming from her involvement in the wildfire PhD candidate in the exercise, Ms Marshall was invited to be one of the Department of Geography. four panelists for the session entitled “SDG damage control: Trans-border scientific cooperation through the Her research focuses on International Science Reserve”. This session convened by the New York Academy of Sciences took place at the developing an integrative Science Summit held at the 77th United Nations General Assembly. Ms Marshall had the opportunity to share framework and assessment her experiences from a Caribbean SIDS perspective working in the areas of environmental and disaster tool to better understand management. She also shared how her current research benefited from data available by Google to gain insights household inactions as they into households’ compliance with mobility restrictions and building knowledge on COVID-19 and securing relate to disaster risk. Ms food during the first wave of the pandemic. Being a part of the International Science Reserve Marshall is a member of community and taking part in readiness exercises provides an opportunity to apply research to “real life the International Science scenarios”. Further, it is an avenue to contribute to closing and identifying research gaps that can minimise the loss Reserve (ISR) community, of life and discomfort faced by those impacted during a crisis. Visit https://isr.nyas.org/ for more information Tracy Marshall which is an initiative of the New York Academy of Science. The ISR community seeks to help researchers prepare for crises and strengthen global responses by identifying and providing scientific, technical and human resources. In March 2022, Ms Marshall, participated in their first online wildfire readiness exercise. She proposed a socio-demographic, place- based household wildfire risk assessment response which was noted among the 18 actionable submissions by expert reviewers. Former Editor In Chief of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture Tropical Agriculture journal receives Chaconia Medal Professor Emeritus Edgar Julian Duncan, former Editor In Chief of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture Tropical Agriculture journal (2014 - 2017), received the Chaconia Medal, Bronze, for Education and Research, on 24 September 2022. The FFA congratulates Professor Duncan on his achievement. From left: Her Excellency Paula-Mae Weekes,President of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Professor Emeritus Edgar Julian Duncan

10 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter FFA prizes Award Ceremony This year the Faculty’s 10th annual prizes award ceremony was held on 25 October 2022. Among those receiving awards, the 30 students listed below received first class honours. JUSTIN EDWARDS AKILI WILSON BSc Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship BSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management DAREE MYERS with International Relations BSc Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship KRISTAL ANCHORTASSOO MITCHRA SOOKRAMSINGH BSc Geography and Environmental and BSc Agribusiness and Entrepreneurship Natural Resource Management GABRIEL BALGOBIN JOSEPH DOUGLAS BSc Agriculture BSc Geography and Environmental and Natural Resource Management MEGUEL DOOBAY ALYCIA PRINCE BSc Agriculture BSc Geography and Environmental and JOSIAH MONGRU Natural Resource Management BSc Agriculture SHAI-ANN REDHEAD OREN GORDON BSc Geography and Environmental and BSc Agriculture Natural Resource Management SAFIYAH ALI SYANNE PAMPHILLE BSc Agriculture Technology with Entrepreneurship BSc Geography and Environmental and and Computer Science Natural Resource Management MATTHEW SAMAROO ANISAH DHANPAUL BSc Entrepreneurship and Management Studies BSc Geography (Special) ETHAN REDHEAD SARA PIANGO BSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management BSc Geography (Special) and Agricultural Technology ASHLEIGH LAI ROEKA BURKE BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics BSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management VENDANTA SURAJ and Geography BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics ANIKA CHARLEMAGNE ALEXIA LEMO BSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management BSc Human Nutrition and Dietetics and Geography DEANNA HIVE CHRISTINA DOODNATH BSc. Human Nutrition and Dietetics BSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management DANIELLA LEWIS and Geography BSc Nutritional Sciences YASHODA RAMKISSOON REYANNA BOODOO BSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management BSc Nutritional Sciences with Sports Nutrition and Geography JASHODRA SOOKHOO TERRY-ANN MELVILLE BSc Environmental and Natural Resource Management BSc Family and Consumer Sciences and Nutritional and Geography Sciences

Volume 9 Issue 2 11 Reducing the Use of Highly Hazardous Chemicals in Cabbage Production Afield day demonstration on the usage of the “food Professor Saravanakumar followed with a spray” technique in the management of pests in presentation that covered both fungal and bacterial cabbage cultivation was held on Wednesday 6 July diseases as well as methods of control. He also 2022 at the University Field Station. discussed health issues associated with highly This demonstration was part of a Food and hazardous chemicals among Trinidadian farmers and Agriculture Organization-Global Environment Facility he introduced various less toxic alternative treatments (FAO-GEF) pesticide management project “Disposal which can be utilised in the field. of Obsolete Pesticides including POPs, Promotion of Two methods of preparing the Benin Food Spray Alternatives and Strengthening Pesticides Management product were demonstrated to the participants, after in the Caribbean”. which farmers were invited into the field to observe The demonstration, led by Professor Duraisamy four treatments that had been set up. The treatments Saravanakumar, Head of the Department of Food were as follows: food spray, biophyt, neem, food spray Production, aimed to introduce and demonstrate the + biophyt + neem and chemical/farmers’ practice. The Benin Food Spray Product (which attracts and retains treatments were replicated three times. beneficial insects on crops to improve the management Participants included farmers and other of pests), with the goal of reducing the use of highly agricultural stakeholders in Trinidad and Tobago hazardous chemicals in cabbage production. including the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and The event began with a presentation from Dr Fisheries, the National Agricultural Marketing and Ayub Khan of the Faculty of Science and Technology. Development Cooperation and the National School He discussed the major insect pests of cabbage in Dietary Services. There were also representatives from Trinidad and Tobago, such as the diamond back agricultural inputs companies (MAFAS Limited and moth, the cabbage budworm, the cabbage looper, the Marketing Arm International Incorporated - Trinidad sweet potato whitefly, the cabbage aphid and the fall Branch), the Saint Dominic’s Children Home, Laventille armyworm and their integrated methods of control. Environs and Development and Agro Plus Seedbank. Professor Saravanakumar in the field with the partiipants

12 FacFualctuyltoyf oFof oFodoadnadnAdgArigcruilctuulrteurNeeNweswlestlteetrter Postgraduate Diploma in Pesticide Technology and Management This programme was conceptualised and developed The programme is designed to provide deeper as an activity of the FAO-Global Environment knowledge and training in selection of pesticides Facility (GEF) project titled \"Disposal of Obsolete and assessment of risks associated with application Pesticides including Persistent Organic Pollutants of pesticides. In addition, the programme includes (POPs), Promotion of Alternatives and Strengthening training on pesticide risk assessment, mitigation and Pesticides Management in the Caribbean\", in remediation measures. It covers the identification, collaboration with The University of the West and the taxonomy, biology, life cycle, and nature of damage Coordinating Group of Pesticides Control Boards of of pests and diseases of agricultural and public health the Caribbean. importance in the region. The objective of the programme, which is The programme includes the international delivered fully online over a 12-month period, is to and regional level pesticide policies, conventions equip a cadre of persons involved in the agricultural and regulations that govern the production, use, and public health industries of the Caribbean with the registration, transportation, distribution and disposal knowledge and skill to contribute to the efficient and of pesticides. Knowledge is provided on the potential effective management of pesticide regulatory activities alternatives to highly hazardous pesticides in the and operations in public and private institutions and sustainable cultivation of crops. settings. Participants include pesticide inspectors, Participants will be trained in the management registrars and pesticide operators from Antigua and of pesticides throughout the life cycle from Barbuda, Barbados, Dominica, Dominican Republic, manufacturing, transportation, registration, labelling, Guyana, Jamaica, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St packing, repacking, distribution, sale, use, monitoring, Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname and Trinidad quality control, through to the disposal and container and Tobago. The programme is sponsored by the Food management. and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Participants Learn about Nutritional Value Dr Oral Daley and Versatility of Breadfruit greets participants The Faculty of Food and Agriculture, Department of Food Production, participated in the Breadfruit and Avocado Festival held on Saturday 6 August 2022, at the Santa Cruz Green Market. Dr Oral Daley, lecturer in the Department of Food Production, spoke on the production conditions and cultural practices required for commercial breadfruit production in Trinidad and Tobago. He also discussed the nutritional value, wide adaptability to different environments, and versatility of breadfruit which makes it an important food resource and must be given greater attention for food and nutrition security in the Caribbean. Participants also learned about different breadfruit cultivars that were on display and enjoyed free breadfruit chips.

Volume 9 Issue 2 13 The Faculty of Food and Agriculture Plants Trees Throughout the Campus in Celebration of its 100 years of Agricultural Legacy The year 2021 marked 100 years of agricultural The FFA held four tree planting ceremonies legacy through teaching, research and innovation where sponsors, donors and participants planted trees at The University of the West Indies, St Augustine at The UWI main campus and at the University Field Campus. This anniversary was celebrated under Station. The ceremonies were held on 30 August 2021, 13 the theme “The Centennial Legacy Celebration 5 November 2021, 20 May 2022 (to commemorate of Agriculture at The UWI STA.” As part of the International Day for Biological Diversity under the celebration, the Faculty of Food and Agriculture theme “Building a shared future for all life”) and 14 (FFA) launched a Sponsor a Tree programme with the October 2022 (to commemorate World Food Day under aim of planting 100 trees. This initiative provided an the theme “Leave no one behind: better production, opportunity for alumni, members of staff, corporate better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”). sponsors and other stakeholders to join and contribute Among the sponsors were The UWIAlumniAssociation to the celebration. (T&T Chapter) and FT Farfan (Stihl and Agriworld). Ms Sandra Samnarine, Agriculture, Lawn and Garden Division Manager, FT Farfan Ltd, plants a tree in front of JFK Lecture Theatre Dean Mark Wuddivira cuts the ribbon at the Centennial Plot on the University Field Station Undergraduate students planting tree at the University Professor Duraisamy Saravanakumar plants tree with Field Station assistance from Dr Oral Daley (right)

1414 FaFcaucultlytyoof fFoFooddananddAAgrgirciucultluturereNNewewslseltettetrer UWI to Support Management of Soils in the Caribbean The University of the West Indies signed an agreement Soil Laboratory Network (CARSOLAN), which will connect on 7 July 2022 with the Partnership Initiative for to the Global Soil Laboratory Network (GLOSOLAN), Sustainable Land Management (PISLM) to “establish, facilitating capacity building, training and coordination in update and strengthen national and regional soils soil standard operating procedures. information, technical capacity and coordination, as a basis The UWI will also coordinate soil data and for improved decision making including on sustainable soil information management through the establishment of the and land management”. Caribbean Soil Information System (CARSIS), which will This project is part of SOILCARE Phase 1 provide a portal to the Global Soil Information System which addresses land degradation and its prevention and (GLOSIS). management across eight participating countries through The project will ensure that UWI plays a leading collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization role in regional soil management, particularly capacity of the United Nations. building with the provision of five graduate scholarships. The FFA will be the central node for the Caribbean The project will have a positive impact on agriculture, food security, climate resilience and environmental stewardship. Representatives attending the signing of the project agreement from left: Dr Mark Wuddivira (Dean, Faculty of Food and Agriculture), Prof Brian Copeland (former PVC and Campus Principal, UWI, St Augustine), Mr Calvin James (Executive Director, PISLM), Ms Neila Bobb-Prescot (FAO Representative) and Dr Gaius Eudoxie (Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Food and Agriculture) FAITH Gardening and Survival Training for Church Group at the UFS During the period 14 August to 16 October, 2022, a technologies for survival were covered. Facilitators FAITH (Food Always In The Home) Gardening and included Drs Ravindra Ramnarine, Ayub Khan, Wendy-Ann Survivalist course was held at the University Field Station Isaac and Messrs Dexter Bristol, Augustus Thomas, Rakesh for the Five Rivers Seventh-Day Adventist Church Women’s Bhukal and Micah Martin. Ministry. Thirty-one participants, consisting of backyard As part of their assessment, participants were enthusiasts, were introduced to basic food production required to establish their gardens at home throughout the technologies offering a sustainable solution to the food course. The graduation ceremony is on 27 November 2022 security crises being experienced. Participants met every where participants will receive a certificate of participation. Sunday morning from 8:00am to 11:00am to engage in interactive lectures and practicals at the UFS Crop Museum. FAITH gardeners after hydroponics training with The programme consisted of three parts: Part one – “Grow It Mr Rakesh Bhukal Yourself” where participants were introduced to the garden design for continuous food, starting seeds indoors, container gardening, building soil fertility, basic irrigation techniques, hydroponics, pests, disease and weed identification and management and harvesting techniques, seed collection and storage; Part two – “Grow It, Don’t Waste It” and “That Good Bread” where participants learnt simple food preservation techniques and making flours from local commodities and Part three – “None Shall Escape” where appropriate

Volume 9 Issue 2 15 FFA at Exhibitions UWI Open Days After the 2-year pandemic, which prevented public gatherings, The UWI held three Open Days from 8 July to 10 July 2022 to rekindle the public’s awareness and purpose of The UWI. The FFA participated and staff and students were able to interact with interested persons who visited the booth. Sowing Seeds for a Future Harvest: New Students Sow Seeds at Guild Fest during Orientation week New students were invited to sow a seed during the Guild Fest 2022 at the Orientation Week held between the 5 to 9 September 2022. Over the period passion fruit seeds were sown by 500 enthusiastic students. At a later date, students will be invited to transplant established seedlings at the University Field Station and over their 3-year academic journey, will be allowed to harvest the fruits of their labours. The passion fruit orchard will be established at the UFS using modern irrigation and production systems for monitoring growth, giving students the opportunity to track the development of their plants. Dr Marquitta Webb interacting with potential students at Open Days New students line up, eager to sow their passion fruit seeds Participants at FFA Agri-Investment Forum and Expo booth at Agri- The Government of Trinidad and Tobago invited the FFA to Investment participate in an agri-investment forum and expo, under the Forum and theme “Transforming Agriculture through Innovation and Expo Investment”. The event was held from Friday 19 August to Sunday 21 August 2022 at the Queen’s Park Savannah, FFA Port of Spain and followed the success of Guyana’s Agri- products Investment Forum and Expo. This initiative was to stimulate displayed conversations among key stakeholders, ie policy makers, at expo potential foreign and local investors, farmers etc in ways to reduce the regional food import bill by 25% by 2025.

16 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter Obituaries In This Issue Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted Cassius Mark Dereck Matthews of the University Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science Field Station (UFS), passed away on 26th July Degree and Honoured by the Faculty of Food and Agriculture 1 2022. Mr Matthews joined the UFS as a semi- Dr Shakuntala Haraksingh Thilsted skilled labourer in September 1999 and was Awarded Honorary Doctor of Science subsequently promoted to Sales Assistant. In this Degree and Honoured by the he was instrumental in establishing the UFS's Faculty of Food and Agriculture 2 pasteurized cow’s milk into the premium brand Partnership with Emphasis on Youth and Agriculture 3 that it is today. His charisma and natural talent Cassius Mark Dereck for sales and marketing made him integral to any Collaborative talks with 4 Matthews Cuban Ambassador promotional activities for the UFS and the FFA, such as the recently hosted UWI Open Days. He also participated in several The Faculty Celebrates 5 World Food Day inter-departmental cricket tournaments and represented the St Augustine Campus at the University’s Inter-Campus Games in August 2002. Celebrating Our Students 6 He will be remembered as a dedicated member of staff who was Celebrating Our Students 7 committed to the Field Station's ongoing transformation to becoming a model enterprise for agriculture, food, and nutrition in our nation and Celebrating Our Students 8 region. Celebrating Our Students 9 We regrettably inform of the passing of Dr Former Editor In Chief 9 receives Chaconia Medal Joseph Owen Douglas Slocombe (27 July 1931 to 19 September 2022), who graduated with a FFA Prizes Award Ceremony 10 Diploma from the Imperial College of Tropical Reducing the use of Hazardous Chemicals in Cabbage Production 11 Agriculture (ICTA) in June 1955. He then earned a scholarship to attend the Ontario Veterinary College of the University of Toronto, in Guelph. Diploma in Pesticide Technology 12 and Management He attended Cornell University in Ithaca, New York where he received his Doctorate of Nutritional Value and Versatility of Breadfruit Veterinary Medicine in 1969. From there, he 12 Dr Joseph Owen became a professor at the Veterinary College of The Faculty Plants Trees 13 Douglas Slocombe the University of Guelph, where he researched Throughout Campus and taught until his retirement in 1997. Dr Slocombe is world renowned as “Doctor Heartworm” for UWI to Support Management of Soils in the Caribbean 14 his research and advancement of heartworm pathology and medicine. He was the President of the American Association of the Advancement Training for Church Group at UFS 14 of Veterinary Parasitology from 1991-1992. He was then President of FFA at Exhibitions 15 the World Association of the Advancement of Veterinary Parasitology from 1991-1995. In 1997 he was conferred an Honorary Obituaries 16 Members of the World Association for the Advancement of Parasitology for his distinguished contributions in the field. Layout and Design Ms Sarojini Ragbir He achieved Professor Emeritus in 1998. His later life career involved Photography coming out of retirement to establish and professionalize new veterinary Miss McoanktarnibzuwtoPrista and programmes into world class institutions: first at Ross University of Veterinary Editors Medicine in St Kitts; then at The University of West Indies, School of Ms Sarojini Ragbir and Mr Bruce Lauckner Veterinary Medicine, St Augustine Campus, Trinidad and Tobago; and then at the American University of Antigua Veterinary School. Dr Slocombe was teaching until he was 80 years old and was a favourite among students.