St Vincent and the Grenadines: Banana farmers 'abandoning fields'

The Black Sigatoka has severely affected the banana fields of Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and Guyana, which has lead to the abandonment of these fields by the banana farmers. However, these countries are receiving assistance in order to eradicate this disease from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization.

Also in the Caribbean region - efforts made by  the agriculture sector of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to eradicate this disease are currently being hindered by farmers failing to replant with crops that are disease-free. The Black Sigatoka has significantly reduced the value of exports from St. Vincent and the Grenadines by 90%. The Agriculture Minister, Saboto Caesar states, "We are seeing the re-growth of the (affected) bananas in those areas... It is providing the perfect environment for Black Sigatoka." 

To read more on St Vincent and the Grenadines: Banana farmers 'abandoning fields'

Migrant worker receives damages in human rights abuse case

Monrose, a national of St. Lucia, went to Canada under the Seasonal Agricultural Workers Programme in 2009. While working for Double Diamond Acres (a greenhouse in Kingsville, Ontario), he was subjected to racist comments from a supervisor. After complaining about the racist comments, he fired and sent back to St. Lucia.

Monrose, with the assistance of a not-for- profit activist group for migrant workers, later filed a human rights complaint. Ontario's Human Rights Tribunal awarded $23,500.00 in damages: $5,500 in lost wages, $3,000 for damage to his dignity, feelings and self-respect and $18,000 for the violation of his right to be free from reprisal. 

To read more, please click on the link provided:
Migrant worker in Kingsville receives damages in human rights abuse case 

Group ‘not connected’ to Singh

A press statement was release on Saturday by the President of the Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago, Dhano Sookoo, stating that their organi­sation does not support the People’s National Movement (PNM) candidate Avinash Singh, who is 24 year old farmer based in Chaguanas.

Dhano Sookoo statement:

"The Agricultural Society of Trinidad and Tobago wishes to disclaim itself from statements made in the media whereas it was reported that the ASTT is in support of Mr Avinash Singh, PNM candidate for Chaguanas West.....Please be advised that the president of the Agricultural Society and its committee of management and members of staff [are] in no way associated with Mr Avinash Singh and the PNM political campaign in the constituency of Chaguanas West."

Adapted from the Trinidad Express Newspaper

Analytical Frameworks for Assessing ICT and Agribusiness Ecosystems For Application in Ghana and Kenya

The use of Analytical Frameworks to assess the support market system for start-up businesses in the ICT and agribusiness sectors is now being explored. Analytical frameworks will assist with "Terms of Reference (ToR) for carrying out start-up ecosystem assessments in Ghana and Kenya". The ToR is for projects that “support available locally for entrepreneurs in both the ICT and agribusiness sectors including university-run programmes, business incubators/accelerators, training providers and financiers (angel investors and VCs).”

The different types of Analytical Frameworks of interest are M4P and other frameworks and methodologies that support the  the proper evaluation of the ecosystem for innovative, technology-oriented start-up businesses in a particular country. This frame work will aid in the evaluation of:

• Existing institutions, 
• Gaps in the provision of support, 
• Ways in which the ecosystems may best be strengthened 

To read more on the use of the Analytical Frameworks, please click the link below:

Analytical Frameworks for Assessing ICT and Agribusiness Ecosystems For Application in Ghana and Kenya

Rwanda: Gap Still Deep Between ICT and Agriculture

Market sellers in Rwanda state that it is sometimes difficult to determine the market price of goods due to the fact that there is no common system of crop information. However, they are able to get some information pertaining to crop prices when market prices are reported via the radio and television.

The Director General of ICT,the Ministry of Youth and ICT, states that technology can improve the link between buyers and sellers of the agriculture product. 

One form of technology is e-Soko. e-Soko is a system that can be consulted via mobile phones or computers. It is capable of providing information on market prices, which  gives the buyer options of where to purchase and sellers information to determine how much quantity to offer. This system has the potential to stabilize market prices as well as sensitize the agriculture sector to the use of ICT.

To read more: Rwanda: Gap Still Deep Between ICT and Agriculture

Gov’t urged to safeguard fisheries sector from oil spillage

Building Business on Values, Integrity and Dignity (B-BOVID), an indigenous agro-based company in the Western Region of Ghana, has tasked the youth to venture into aqua-culture, saying it’s a viable and attractive career path for unemployed youth. They believe that this transformation would enhance youth development and help avert total dependency on crude oil and other natural resources in the country.

The company promotes a new model of socially inclusive commercial farming, combining innovative agricultural practices, ecological farming and social entrepreneurship to deliver high quality organic products.

Furthermore, they operate on the values of improving the lives of the people, the planet and profits (PPP) by conserving the environment, promoting sustainable lifestyles, creating jobs and reducing poverty in rural communities. 

They also offer Information Communication Technology (ICT) training to local farmers, students and promotes sustainable organic agriculture and profitable agribusiness for smallholder farmers.

To read more on this article, Gov’t urged to safeguard fisheries sector from oil spillage 

Indian edible veg, root, tuber exports for June '13 decrease in numbers

In June 2013, Indian's edible vegetable as well as different root and tuber exports displayed a decreased of 65.91 percent in comparison to May 2013. 

These figures are based on the tabulation of one of Indian's premier import-export research companies (Infodrive Indian) and the export shipping bills documented at the Indian Customs by exporters. 

According to the analysis, the main products were coffee, tea, meat and spices.

To read more, Indian edible veg, root, tuber exports for June '13