Extension officers better equipped to support local farmers to enhance their crop yields
Ahead of the bustling holiday season, 27 extension officers from across Dominica gathered at the One-Mile Agricultural Station in Portsmouth for intensive training on Integrated Vegetable Crop Management led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The training, which ran from November 25- 28, was part of the ongoing project “Improving Livelihoods through Diversified High-Value Vegetable Crop Production,” as well as through a Letter of Agreement (LOA) with the University of the West Indies (UWI).
This training marks the second of a series of training initiatives designed to enhance the capacity of extension officers to support local farmers in adopting sustainable agricultural practices. The first training, held in May 2024 in Saint Lucia, focused on regional collaboration and the importance of integrated crop management.
The four-day program provided both theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience in the integrated management of vegetable crops and cropping systems. Participants learned about a variety of advanced technologies and practices aimed at improving agricultural productivity and sustainability. Key topics included protected agriculture, climate management and its impact on crop yields, soil and substrate management, water conservation, pest and disease management, plant nutrition, and other essential cultural practices.
The training also emphasized practical, cost-effective technologies to optimize crop production throughout the year, even in the face of the changing climate and fluctuating weather patterns that challenge Caribbean smallholder farmers.
Several Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face significant agricultural challenges due to climate change, including increased water variability, soil degradation, pest and disease outbreaks, and rising costs of agricultural inputs. These issues exacerbate food insecurity and threaten the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. By equipping extension officers with new knowledge and practical tools, the training aims to build resilience in the agricultural sector and support the transition to more sustainable farming practices.
Melvin Medina Navarro, Lead Technical Officer for the project, stated, “This training is an example of great collaboration between regional partners and has equipped Dominica’s extension officers with advanced knowledge and practical tools to support farmers in adopting sustainable technologies and practices that boost crop yields, enhance resilience to climate challenges, and strengthen the agricultural sector’s sustainability.”.
Dr Gaius Eudoxie, Deputy Dean Outreach, Faculty of Food and Agriculture, UWI, highlighted, “The University of the West Indies is proud to collaborate on this initiative, empowering extension officers with innovative solutions and sustainable practices that address the unique agricultural challenges faced by SIDS countries like Dominica.”
Meanwhile, Norman Alexander, an extension officer and a training participant gave his feedback on the training. He expressed, “As an extension officer and most importantly as a greenhouse farmer, I found this training extremely important, refreshing and timely. Particularly, topics that stood out for me included climate smart farming, integrated pest management, best cultivation practices, propagation, etc. As an extension officer and farmer, I intend to implement and pass on the knowledge gained to others in the farming communities.”
The participation of the UWI team in the delivery of this training strengthens regional collaboration, ensuring that knowledge-sharing across Caribbean nations leads to the development of robust, region-specific solutions. This effort aligns with the broader goal of improving agricultural productivity and promoting food sovereignty in the Caribbean.
The success of this training initiative underscores the importance of continued investment in agricultural education and innovation in the Caribbean. As the region faces increasing climate challenges, the need for adaptive and resilient farming practices has never been more urgent.
