Dominican farmers are expected to benefit from a series of workshop currently being held across the island on post-harvest management of root tubers.
The workshop which targets both small and large farmers, export agencies and hucksters of sweet potato, yam and dasheen is being spearheaded by the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) in collaboration with the Florida Association of Volunteer Action in the Caribbean and the Americas (FAVACA).
National Coordinator for the Root and Tuber Crops, Miranda Laurent, said that the series of workshop is geared at informing farmers and exporters on best practices in the agricultural industry.
“We saw it as a need as well because we are doing the whole value chain from production up to consumption. Now, as part of the value chain, post-harvest is critical. It can increase the shelf life, it can make you retain your market; so post-harvest technology and post-harvest science is crucial especially in the marketing aspect. So, addressing the different components under the value chain of those commodities, we figure that would be an ideal workshop for all people handling the produce after harvesting. Some large farmers have to store before they give to the hucksters or the exporters so they, too, keep the produce after harvest and they have to know the science so they can be better able to give the exporters a good quality product,” she said.
The workshops are being facilitated by Dr. George Wilson, a professor at the North Carolina State University.
Dr. Wilson, who specializes in the horticultural science department at the university, highlighted the significance of the workshop.
“Basically, we are helping the farmers to understand that yes, there are things that you can do, there are things that you must do, things that you should not do in order to be able to not only product, but to be able to harvest and deliver a high quality product. Producing a high quality product is not the problem to me. The real problem is maintaining that quality all the way to the market place and my conversations, so far, this morning has convinced me that these farmers are even smarter than I thought they were. They know about their markets, they know what they can sell, they know how good their crops are but they also know their weaknesses. Several questions have convinced me that they know details that can make a difference. They know how to deal with them and perhaps, they will pick up a hint or a clue today in our conversations that will help them to be able to do an even better job,” he pointed out.
Some of the topics that are being covered during the workshops are root crop harvesting, field handling, preparation for delivery, packaging, transportation and handling and post-harvest treatment.
Great work CARDI TEAM.
Sharon Jones, Miranda Laurent, Mr. Ettiene…
Excellent to address food security and ex portability issues.
Lord knows we need to be able to extend the shelf life of our local food. Especially in the hurricane season.
Looking forward to the Government supporting so much more of CARDI’s research and development
who works with the farmers before and after the training to ensure that the practices are carried out?
Yes Dr Wilson as you stated “this morning has convinced me that these farmers are even smarter than I thought”…… They have been doing this for decades and you should not come with your preconceived notions about the Dominican farmer! What the farmers need is a guaranteed market for the high quality. Rips they produce, they need aground processing plants to better utilize the nation’s raw products. I tired c plantain chips, mango juice, pAssion fruit juice and guava juice.. DA can produce that too.
But will Dominican eat what they produce, when their product is side by side to overseas products? We need to appreciate our own more.
Excellent point it starts at the preschool level. The natural produce we have is far better than the hormone laden foods we import..