By Terry Nisbett
One Caribbean agriculturalist believes that the seeds donor agencies send into the region are of inferior quality.
Indeed, he actually expressed the view that providing the Caribbean poor quality seeds may be a means of reducing the competitiveness of our crops. Barton Clarke, Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research Development Institute (CARDI), voiced his opinion stating, “Often, you get the impression that they send us seeds and so on that are stale, that they don't want, or they send us stuff that grows best in the European environment as opposed to the Caribbean context.” As a result, he strongly advocated that the region should take control of all aspects of their agricultural value chain.
Not everything that is free is useful or desirable. Similar sentiments are often expressed in a variety of ways, but the message is the same. Well, the lesson here in the story of the inferior seeds is that even if your competitors wish to help you, do not expect them to let you win. How did it happen that we have become dependent on donor agencies for planting material? It is highly likely that we get planting material suitable for the European environment if the donation comes from Europe. It is a bit naïve to expect otherwise. Why should European countries have seeds suitable for the Caribbean? The Caribbean is the place which should be producing seeds suitable for its own conditions. Somehow it is rational to expect that CARDI, the major research and development facility specifically for agriculture in CARICOM, would be foremost in developing the appropriate seeds and planting material. CARDI’s comments on the donor material show that there is willingness for the institution to help generate the seed inputs. There is probably a warning as well to Caribbean countries to look for regional solutions.
Our policy makers place much emphasis on achieving food security. Obviously, this will not be attained if we in the Caribbean expect to use inappropriate inputs provided by others. Seeds are the initial primary input of agricultural production. If we begin with low quality planting material, we are bound to produce poor quality agricultural outputs and in reduced quantities too. Even with reflection on just this initial position on the value chain, it shows that you may not be able to ensure your food security if you do not attain ownership of your inputs. Mr. Barton Clarke is right about being in control of all aspects of the value chain. As financial resources in the region are not ample, especially at this time, donor help may still be needed. But the assistance should be relevant and not lead to dependence. Instead it should create sustainability and independence.
In Jamaica, CARDI has donated seed production equipment to the Bodles Research Station in Old Harbour, St. Catherine. That is an initial step towards creating locally relevant seed material. The Bodles seed facility “currently produces hot pepper, pumpkin and sorrel seeds for sale to farmers,” according to old harbour news. Plans are also being made to produce clean Irish potato seedlings in Jamaica. In the jargon of agriculture, “clean” refers to such products being free of pests and diseases. Currently, Jamaica imports almost all of its Irish potato planting material. The Bodles Research Station, Northern Caribbean University and the Scientific Research Council have been declared as having the capacity to produce the seedlings. When production begins, Jamaica will have control of its own seed inputs with regard to its Irish potato crop. The Jamaica Social Investment Fund has provided money for the project. According to Managing Director Omar Sweeney, “It is envisaged that Jamaica can move from an importer of seed potatoes to an exporter, especially to other CARICOM states.” This is another move towards the goal that the CARDI director was encouraging the region to attain.
Even if CARDI and other entities are willing and capable of producing seed and planting material, it would be the responsibility of agriculture ministries to indicate their needs and request research in or production of materials for crops crucial to their country’s developing agriculture. Caribbean countries have to be willing to support CARDI financially as well. The research institute is involved in seed production notably producing corn seeds. These are sold to Grenada and are also used by farmers in Belize. In 2013, CARDI produced 29,000 pounds of corn seed.
Currently, much attention is being placed on the post-harvest areas of the agriculture value chain. Indeed, these are important areas to enhance because marketing and sales are crucial for revenue for farmers and for national economies. While these are important, the materials and input at the start of the value chain are equally important if there is to be any chain at all. Farmers will have little to market or sell if they use inferior seeds and seedlings.
The Caribbean will continue to need and utilise donor support in its efforts to improve its agricultural sector. What is becoming obvious is that we have to include stakeholders like CARDI officials in the discussions on what donor assistance to request and access. Clearly even assistance has its grades of utility.
