FFA Newsletter July 2016

FACULTY of FOOD and AGRICULTURE Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 2 July 2016 The Faculty Moves On By Dean Dr Isaac Bekele Dean Isaac Bekele where greenhouses have been constructed and in operation, through a collaborative August 1st, 2016 marks the end of four years effort with China Agriculture University since the Faculty has been in existence (CAU).in its current configuration-the Faculty of Food andAgriculture (FFA). During that period the Faculty has New vegetable lines have beenbeen able to accomplish a number tasks, some of introduced and are under evaluation in thewhich are critical to its own development to better greenhouses. In addition, lines of sweet anddischarge its mandate. At the same time a number of field corn are being evaluated in the field.undergraduate curricula have been reviewed and newprogrammes introduced. As part of the collaborative As part of The UWI mission to contribute to the arrangement with CAU, effort is being maderegion’s socio-economic transformation through the to train Caribbean persons in the disciplinesdevelopment of trained human resources to support of plant genetics and breeding throughthe agribusiness sector at all levels, the Faculty is two phases. The first phase involves ourimplementing an effective and efficient approach to students completing MSc level training inachieve this in collaboration with the relevant institutions CAU with funding provided through CAU foroffering diploma/associate degrees in agriculture. two years. Following the completion of the A lot of effort was focused on the development MSc, the graduates will enroll for PhD level training atof internal resources and capacity and the creation of FFA.new partnerships and the strengthening of old ones. Operations at the University Field Station at A new farm was established in Orange Grove Mount Hope saw marked improvements in some key areas. Focus was also placed on student development, graduate studies, research and outreach and employee engagement. As I welcome the new Dean, Dr Wayne Ganpat and wish him all the best as he endeavours to continue to take the FFA forward, I would like to express my gratitude to The UWI for the opportunity to serve. In particular, I would like to convey my heartfelt thanks to the staff of the Dean’s Office and my colleagues and Deputy Deans, Professor Mattias Boman, Dr Lynda Wickham and Dr Mark Wuddivira, for their invaluable contributions in re-shaping the Faculty during my term. My sincere thanks also to the staff of the newly established Communications and Publications Unit and to Professor Julian Duncan for his selfless service as Editor In Chief of the Tropical Agriculture journal.

Page 2 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter Meet the new Dean Dr Over the next four years, Dr Ganpat will Wa y n e use his expertise in “Extension” – particularly his communications and outreach skills – to attract Ganpat students back to agriculture and agri-enterprise; and raise the profile of the Faculty of Food and takes Agriculture as the treasury for agricultural learning, research and technology, in the region. “We have to up his encourage agriculture students to think outside the box, to invent the systems that make agriculture and new food production, an art, a joy, and a business. We need to do this with the current students, even as we expand post as the enrolment in Trinidad and Tobago, as well as from the region and internationally.” Dean A primary goal is to re-establish the once vibrant presence of the Faculty in the region; working of the to help governments and food producers solve their many problems and repositioning the FFA at St Faculty Augustine as the agricultural centre for the region. Dr Ganpat hopes to build on the work started of Food by the retiring Dean Dr Isaac Bekele in seeking to harmonize the several agriculture programmes across and the region. One of his objectives is to communicate research findings and development efforts to bring Agri- about higher levels of food and nutrition security more widely to stakeholders, and to do this by inspiring a culture new generation of agro-entrepreneurs. on Source: UWI Today, Sunday 3rd July 2016 Aug- ust 1st, Dr Wayne Ganpat 2016 andwill serve in that capacity for four years. Dr Ganpatstarted his career as an agricultural officer in theMinistry of Agriculture, Trinidad and Tobago over 30years ago. He joined The UWI in 2010 as Lecturerin the Department of Agricultural Economics andExtension and in 2015 was appointed as Head of thatDepartment. In this IsueThe Faculty Moves On 1Meet the new Dean 2Another Engineer takes over the helm at UWI 3Research Awards 3 Layout and DesignCrop Pest Identification and their Management 4 Ms Sarojini Ragbir Agricultural Innovation Competition 5 PhotographyNew Heads of Departments 5 Mr Terry Sampson and contributorsADOPT FAITH Farming Training for Community Groups 6 EditorsLivestock Extension Programme Recommended 7 Ms Sarojini Ragbir and ProfessorDelegation from China Agricultural University Visits FFA 7 Julian DuncanPractical Skills in Agriculture Experience, 2016 8Agro Galaxy 21st Century Summer Camp 9

Volume 5 Issue 2 Page 3Another Engineer takes over the helm at UWI, St Augustine Professor Brian Copeland was appointed Campus Principal on 1st July 2016 for a five year period. Professor Copeland graduated from The UWI St Augustine with a BSc in Electrical Engineering in 1978, with an MSc in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto in 1981 and with a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Southern California in 1990. He served as Professor in Electrical and Computer Engineering and Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at The UWI from 2007 to 2015. Prior to his deanship, he was Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering from 1997 to 2007. Professor Copeland is well known for the development and patenting of the G-Pan, as well as the Percussive Harmonic Instrument (PHI). Professor Brian Copeland Professor Copeland has won many prestigiousawards. In 2008 he was the first recipient of the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and in 2007 hewas joint recipient of the Chaconia Medal Gold as a member of the G-Pan development team. He received theGuardian Life Premium Teaching Award in 2002, the BP/AMOCO Fellowship Award for Senior Academic Staffat The UWI, 2001 and a LASPAU/Fulbright scholarship for Doctoral programme at the University of SouthernCalifornia, Los Angeles, in 1987. He succeeds Professor Clement Sankat, who served two terms as Campus Principal from January 2008to June 2016. The FFA wishes the new Campus Principal all success in his new post and wishes Professor Sankat all thebest as he starts another exciting phase of his life. Research Awards for the FFAThe UWI St Augustine Campus hosted its 3rd biennial UWI-National Gas Company (NGC) Research AwardsCeremony on Wednesday June 8th, 2016. Started in 2012, under the auspices of the Office of the Campus Principal,this Research Awards Ceremony celebrates staff and students, who have excelled in their research endeavours;particularly those individuals whose research efforts have benefitted the people of Trinidad and Tobago and thewider Caribbean region.Two members and one department of the FFA received The NGC Research Awards Ceremony aims to:awards at this ceremony. Dr Vidya De Gannes, SeniorTechnician in the Department of Food Production, • Celebrate the outstanding research conductedreceived the award for Most Outstanding Graduate by staff and graduate students at The UWI St AugustineResearcher (Sciences), having been awarded the best Campus;thesis (sciences) for the academic year 2013/2014. • Promote a culture of scholarship, Dr Wayne Ganpat, Head of the Department innovation and creativity among staff and students;of Agricultural Economics and Extension, received • Continue to build on the tradition of scholarshipthe award for most outstanding researcher. and the mentorship of young researchers and research The award for the most productive students;research department went to the Department • Showcase the research of The UWI St Augustineof Agricultural Economics and Extension. Campus to our wider campus community.

Page 4 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter Crop Pest Identification and their ManagementThe Departments of Food Production and the farmers to be used as references in the field Agricultural Economics and Extension to identify and manage the crop pests suitably.held the 3rd farmer’s training on Crop pest An evaluation at the end of meetingidentification and their management, after two indicated farmers’ desire to attend moreconsecutive meetings on Identifying the training meetings on various aspects of crop production,needs of the farmers and Crop disease diagnosis. especially the sustainable management Dr Ayub Khan, Senior Lecturer from the of pests and diseases in vegetables production. Department of Life Sciences, Faculty of Scienceand Technology, facilitated the training. The farmers were given group activities to discuss and identifythe crop samples infested with aphids, whiteflies, Farmers involved in group activity to identify crop pests bybugs, mealybugs, thrips, scale insects, shoot and fruit discovery learning methodborers by the discovery learning method. Several technical tips on the use of non-chemical methods, such as the cultural and bio-controlstrategies for the sustainable management of crop pestswith a special emphasis on vegetable production, werediscussed. The techniques for mass culture productionand possible use of entomopathogenic fungi, in thecontrol of insect pests so as to reduce the excessiveand indiscriminate application of pesticides, were alsodealt with. Training modules were distributed toFarmer, Ms Chrisendaye Baldah Singh makes a presentation, Twenty five farmers from the Orange while Dr Ayub Khan listens Grove, Macoya, Bamboo and Maloney districts attended the training session. The farmers’ group activities were facilitated by Dr Wayne Ganpat, Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, Dr Duraisamy Saravanakumar, of the Department of Food Production, and Mr Jeet Ramjattan and Ms Jyothi Singh, Extension Officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Trinidad and Tobago. The session, which was held at the FFA Orange Grove Farm on 23rd April, 2016, was partly supported by The UWI Research and Development Impact Fund, “Promoting Agriculturally Important Microorganisms” Project, whose principal researcher is Dr Duraisamy Saravanakumar.

Volume 5 Issue 2 Page 5 Agricultural Innovation CompetitionEight teams were selected to advance their sponsored by Dairy Dairy. agricultural innovative ideas into prototypes This competition, which ran fromand compete for over $30,000 in prizes in the February 23rd 2016 to June 30th 2016,first annual ADOPT (Agriculture Demonstration was part of a larger project funded by the ResearchOf Practices and Technologies) secondary school and Development Impact Fund, which deals withcompetition, hosted by Faculty of Food and improving the sustainability of the ProtectedAgriculture in partnership with REPSOL. Agriculture (PA) industry through improving the contribution of PA produce to food security goals. Of these eight teams, Holy Cross College One of its goals is to implement non-“Agriholics” won followed by El Dorado East traditional systems for small-scale farming,Secondary “Tier Gardens”. Special prizes were also aimed at strengthening local food security andawarded; Mayaro Secondary school won the coveted adapting traditional open field farming methods“agribusiness/innovation prize” for their hydroponic exposed to the vagaries of the climate. system, the model of which will be constructed by the The project aims at blending PA shade houseEngineering Department of The UWI. This prize was technology with a combination of hydroponics,sponsored by REPSOL. The prize for “most enthusiastic organoponics, hybridponics, aquaponics, aeroponics,school”, sponsored by LJ Williams went to Holy Cross vermiponics and barrel-ponics growing systemsCollege. “Most energy efficient prize” was copped by and LED light technology for sustainable foodMucurapo East Secondary School and was sponsored production using low-cost or recyclable materials.by Atlantic Trading. Five Rivers Secondary School The second competition will commence inwon the prize for the use of “most recycled materials”, September, 2016.which was sponsored by Dairy Dairy, and the “mostinnovative project” prize, sponsored by Atlantic Submitted by: Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, lecturer,Tradings. The most “sustainable and community based Department of Food Productionproject” went to Holy Cross Agriholics, which was Announcing the New Heads of Departments from August 1st 2016 Dr Selby Nichols - Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension Dr Priya Kissoon - Department of GeographyHoly Cross College Team Agriholics winners of ADOPT secondary school competition, with Mrs Chantal Brathwaite-Phillip, REPSOL Representative

Page 6 Faculty of Food and Agriculture Newsletter ADOPT FAITH Farming Training for Community GroupsAs one of the many outputs of the ADOPT-RDI funded project, a 6-month training in sustainablefood production was initiated. The training started in March 2016 and will end in August 2016. This course introduces small farmers, lished a community garden in the Heights of Guanapohousewives, and socially challenged persons in the and have already experienced the full garden cyclecommunity to basic food production techniques from planting seeds to harvesting several crops. Manyusing the “FAITH (Food Always In The Home)” of them have also established their own backyardsustainable technologies and offers a sustainable gardens.solution to the food security crises facing. At the end of the course, participants Fifty seven persons initially registered for will receive a certificate of participation.the course, but currently 36 are actively involved Interest have been expressed for the programmein the establishment of a community garden as well to be extended to more communities and efforts areas their own home garden on Sunday mornings. The being made to offer further courses in collaborationcourse focuses on sustainable organic practices with the Caribbean Network for Empowerment throughand climate-smart agriculture (CSA) technologies. Training (CNETT), a recently formed organisation The sessions are mainly conducted by FFA, whose training programmes focus on workforcestaff members. Dr Wayne Ganpat kicked-off the development within the agriculture sector and trainingcourse with lectures on site selection, basic design for empowerment, employment and entrepreneurship.and land preparation, which was followed by seedstarting and propagation, by Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac. Submitted by: Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, lecturer,Dr Chaney St Martin conducted a practical and Department of Food Productioninteractive session on soil fertility and composting,while Dr Mark Wuddivira lecturedon basic irrigation techniques. Dr Annika Minnottfrom the Caribbean AgriculturalResearch and DevelopmentInstitute conducted a session oncommon insect pests and naturalpest management solutions,followed by an identificationand management session byDr Duraisamy Saravanakumarand Mr Augustus Thomas. Sessions to follow includethe basics of hydroponics andaquaponics, to be conducted byMr Rakesh Bukal, ResearchTechnician at the Vet School,Mt Hope, and commodityutilization by Dr Lynda Wickham. Participants have estab- Dr Chaney St Martin conducting a practical and interactive session on soil fertility and composting

Volume 5 Issue 2 Page 7Visiting Professor Recommends Livestock Extension ProgrammeDr Peter H Robinson with livestock specialists from The UWI dairy cows and (iii) Dairy nutrition and nutritionaland the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources management: One dairy extension programme. Dr Robinson thought that Trinidad and TobagoThe Department of Food Production organized has favourable weather, land with high pasture potential, interactive sessions and field visits to small private and a large population of dairy consumers to make thedairy farms with visiting professor, Dr Peter H Robinson, dairy enterprise a success. He indicated that the dairyCooperative Extension Specialist from the Department of sector in Trinidad and Tobago has a great potentialAnimal Science, University of California, Davis, from 16th but the policies and the programmes are perhaps notto 20th May, 2016. Dr Robinson had lengthy discussions adequate to realize this potential. He thought that evenwith dairy producers, in order to get an understanding the export possibilities for high value dairy products,of the status of dairy farms in Trinidad and Tobago. for example mozzarella cheese from buffalo milk with In addition, he presented three lectures on a Caribbean brand, could create a niche market inMay 18th, 2016 on topics related to dairy extension: countries where Caribbean settlement exists. The dairy(i) Dairy farm intensification: Are there lessons for production system in Trinidad is largely resource basedTrinidad and Tobago from the California model? (ii) rather than knowledge-based, which suggests that theOptions for feed co-products in lactation rations of focus on extension and research has to be greater to make advances in the dairy sector and create a profitable enterprise. Policies with a focus on food production, with refinement of land allocation schemes and funding availability, coupled with problem oriented research and extension can contribute to this achievement. During discussions with dairy farmers and livestock officers of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Marine Resources, it was evident that there is a need for a livestock extension programme, as currently none exists. Submitted by: Dr Uppoor Krishnamoorthy, Mr Cicero Lallo and Professor Gary Garcia, Department of Food ProductionDelegation from China Agricultural University visits FFAThe FFA hosted three members of China Agricultural Dean Bekele and Samuel De Costa with CAU Vice President,University (CAU) led by Vice President Gong Gong Yuanshi and other members of CAUYuanshi, from 28th May to 1st June 2016. Among thetopics discussed was the progress of the AgriculturalInnovation Park (AIP). The delegation toured the laboratories andthe AIP facilities and expressed the hope that thecollaboration between The UWI and the CAU will bestrengthened and that the graduate training programmesoffered by the CAU will lead to capacity building ofstudents in areas of Caribbean needs.

Page 8 Faculty of Food and Agriculture NewsletterAgriNation: Producing, Preserving, Restoring - Practical Skills in Agriculture Experience, 2016This year 40 students registered for the Students in the field AGRI1100: Practical Techniques and Tools inAgriculture Summer Course. The 8-weeks practical sales day, which took place in the seventh week.course was themed under the ideology of an Each group was assigned a different fieldagriculturally aware nation that not only produces, trip location for the fourth week. In the fifth week,but preserves as well as restores the environment. i.e. students learnt about freeze branding of cattle, artificial“#AgriNation: Producing, Preserving, Restoring”. insemination of cattle and visited the Orange Grove The AGRI 1100 course is a practical Field Station where they witnessed large scale fieldcourse for the first year students of the various and greenhouse production. During the sixth weekagricultural degree programmes to experience the students completed their presentations and beganpractical side of livestock and crop production. working on posters related to the course theme, This year, each week brought new challenges which they presented on the final day of the course.and unique learning opportunities that would help The final two weeks of the course were theto equip the students for life after graduation. most hectic as students had to prepare for their sales The first week of the course was orientational day on the seventh week, which turned out to be asince students might not have had exposure to a farm great success; one group made TT$3000 in sales.and the activities carried out on a daily basis. The highly There was a written assessment in the eighthmotivated and enthusiastic students were divided week, after which the students spent the rest of theinto five groups, led by a group facilitator. Students day doing fun activities such as a cricket competitionprepared their poultry pen in anticipation of the arrival between staff and students, races and a tug of warof day old chicks that they would care for over the next between groups.8 weeks and they prepared their respective field plots On the final day, students were required tofor the planting of their crops. They were also required utilize as many local resources as possible to createto set up a seedling nursery that they would monitor. unique dishes for a cook-out competition, after In the second week each group was which they were presented with their certificates ofassigned to a livestock unit (such as dairy, completion, awards and prizes. pigs, rabbit, sheep, poultry and wildlife). This ended the journey of anotherto carry out management practices. During successful and highly-rewarding 8-weeks practicalthe third week discussions were held on the course where everyone came out a winner!development of an Agri-product for an annual Submitted by: Mr Hamza Ali (student) and Dr Ravindra Students enjoying an afternoon of fun Ramnarine (lecturer), Department of Food Production

Volume 5 Issue 2 Page 9 Agro Galaxy 21st Century Summer CampThe ADOPT-RDI funded project launched a record of a specimen is made. They engaged in crafts 2-week agri-summer camp entitled – “Agro involving pressing flowers, making cards and settingGalaxy 21st Century” on July 11th at the FFA. up a diorama. The importance of plant museums,The objective of this first agriculture camp was orchards, animal houses was pointed out to them. Ato introduce children between the ages of 5 plant specimen from 1842 was shown to the campersto 16 years to new innovations in agriculture, to highlight the length of time a specimen can last.environmental stewardship through gaming, In the second week, the Agri-Innovatorsexploring and learning what makes farming fun. set up a window farm-hydroponic system, while The children were divided into three age the “Sowers and Future Farmers” built mini-groups: “Sowers”, the youngest between 5 to 8 greenhouses, visited the Sugar Cane Feed Centre,years, “Future Farmers” between 9 to 11 years and the Agri-Innovation Park at Orange Grove andand “Agri-Innovators” between 12 to 16 years. ended with an activity display and talent show. Campers were shown that agriculture does At the end of the camp children will seenot only deal with crop and livestock production agriculture in a different light and possibly gain a,but also with nutrition, landscaping and cuisine. deeper appreciation of what agriculture entails. In the first fun-filled week, the 50 campers The camp will continue for an additional twolearnt about making healthy food choices, engaged weeks for Agri-Innovators, between the ages 14-16,in human board eco-games developed by camp who expressed an interest in agriculture. They willcounsellors focusing on environmental stewardship assist the ADOPT team in the construction of theand sustainable agriculture, visited the University “grow room” and other ADOPT-RDI project relatedField Station, where they “adopted a cow”, petted the activities.sheep, goats and rabbits, planted seeds and seedlings, It is hoped that these secondary schoolset up mini-hydroponic systems planting pakchoi, students from forms 3 to 5 will be mentored untillearnt about value-addition by making muffins, they are ready to decide whether they want to registerdonuts and chips using breadfruit flour, and visited in the certificate and diploma programmes at FFA.the National Herbarium where they learnt about The camp will be run during the longcuration, how plants are pressed and how a correct school vacation until the project ends in 2018.Ms Chanelle Joseph, Instructor, Department of Agricultural Campers having funEconomics and Extension, instructs campers on health and Submitted by: Dr Wendy-Ann Isaac, lecturer, wellness using a game board Department of Food Production