CATIE and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States Sign MoU to Promote Sustainable Agriculture and Food Security

• The agreement establishes a strategic partnership between two organizations dedicated to fostering inclusive and sustainable development in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The Tropical Agricultural Research and Higher Education Center (CATIE) and the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance sustainable agriculture and enhance food security in the Eastern Caribbean region. 

The MoU was signed by CATIE’s Director-General, Luis Pocasangre; the Director-General of OECS, Didacus Jules; and Dominica's Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy, Roland Royer.

OECS is an intergovernmental organization composed of countries and territories from the Eastern Caribbean. It was established in 1981 to promote cooperation and integration among its members to improve social, economic, and environmental well-being across the region.

The organization is headquartered in Castries, Saint Lucia, and its members include independent countries and associated territories such as Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Saint Kitts and Nevis, and Montserrat. Anguilla, the British Virgin Islands, and Martinique hold associate member status.

A high-level visit to CATIE's campus in Turrialba, Costa Rica, spanned two days, aimed at fostering collaboration in agricultural research, education, and extension between CATIE and OECS.

Below are some of the key moments from the visit:

Presentation on CATIE’s Work: The delegation attended a presentation by Dr. Pocasangre and the Dean of the Graduate School, Mariela Leandro, showcasing CATIE's work in agricultural research, education, and extension. The presentation outlined the institution's innovative approaches to sustainable agriculture and its commitment to supporting regional development.  

Symbolic Tree Planting: As a gesture of the joint commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship, Dr. Jules, his spouse, and Minister Royer planted several trees in CATIE's Botanical Garden. This act served as a reminder of the crucial role reforestation and natural resource conservation play in combating climate change.

Visit to the International Cocoa and Coffee Collections: The group had the opportunity to explore CATIE's extensive cocoa and coffee collections, showcasing unique varieties and ongoing research to improve production and disease resistance.

Presentation of the ACTIVA-CATIE Innovation Lab: The delegation witnessed how CATIE’s research translates into practical solutions for sustainable rural agricultural entrepreneurship. The focus was on innovation, entrepreneurship, and promoting business models that support local communities.

Visit to AGROINNOVA Project and NORTICO Farm: The visit provided an overview of fine cocoa production and aromatic chocolates, highlighting the importance of innovation in agro-industry. It underscored the value of innovation and the potential for growth in the cocoa sector.

Exploration of Sustainable Livestock Systems: The group also visited CATIE's sustainable livestock system, learning about the institution's approach to efficient and environmentally friendly livestock production.

Strategic Partnership with the Eastern Caribbean

The Memorandum of Understanding aims to establish a strategic alliance between CATIE and OECS to drive agricultural development, strengthening human resource and management capacities within governmental and non-governmental institutions.

Key elements of the agreement include:

• The exchange of germplasm for coffee, cocoa, vegetables, and fruits to develop productive and sustainable agricultural systems.
• The use of climate-adapted production models for ruminants, dairy, and beef cattle to support the livestock sector in OECS member states.
• The implementation of bio-inputs for soil and water conservation to boost degraded land productivity.
• The training of technicians and extensionists in disciplines aligned with green and inclusive development, including agroforestry, soil management, and sustainable livestock production.

The agreement also outlines various activities to promote knowledge exchange and collaboration.

CATIE will organize technical visits and training sessions for experts from OECS member states, while OECS will encourage group visits from students, farmers, and agricultural technicians to CATIE's experimental stations in Costa Rica.

OECS will also provide logistical and financial support to ensure that professionals, farmers, and students from the region can participate in CATIE's training and capacity-building programs.

Additionally, both organizations will work to identify funding opportunities for projects focused on climate-smart and resilient agriculture.

For Sustainable Development and Resilience

Minister Royer emphasized the importance of learning about the TR4 of Fusarium, a significant threat to the banana and plantain subsector in Dominica. "Detailed information and preventive strategies will enable us to implement prophylactic measures and create nurseries to mitigate the risk of this disease in Dominica," he noted.

Royer also highlighted progress in cocoa research, a key crop in Dominica. "Studies on hybrid and disease-resistant varieties open possibilities for strengthening our cocoa processing sector, contributing to the sustainable growth of our economy."

The visit to the Botanical Garden was equally inspiring, according to Royer. "It showed us how we can integrate innovative approaches in our own context to boost agritourism and diversify our tourism offerings."

OECS Director, Didacus Jules, noted the opportunity to witness the research and projects that CATIE is undertaking in key areas like sustainable agriculture, plant health protection, and banana cultivation, among others. "We are interested in exploring new forms of collaboration to address the agricultural challenges that our members face," he said.

Jules also mentioned that the University of Trinidad and Tobago would partner with CATIE to collaborate in the forestry sector, an area where they have already had success in training forestry officers in the OECS.