AIMING to enhance food security, climate change resilience and technology integration for the agriculture sector, the Korea-Caribbean Agricultural Research Innovation Platform (KoCARIP) was launched at the Hilton Trinidad, St Ann's, on September 18.
KoCARIP will involve the collaboration of the Rural Development Administration, the Republic of Korea, the Caricom Secretariat and its member states, as well as the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (Cardi). Attended by delegates from Caribbean nations including Grenada, Jamaica and Saint Kitts and Nevis, the launch kicked off a two-day event which included panel discussions, research presentations and a visit to the La Reunion Plant Propagation and Centeno Livestock stations.
Agriculture, Land and Fisheries Minister Ravi Ratiram said the platform would strengthen the region's capacity through transferring technologies such as mechanisation to protect agriculture and biosecurity. In addressing this, he said, through its work with the Food and Agriculture Organisation, the ministry has set up eight demonstration greenhouses to teach farmers about using modern farming methods.
"And we intend to expand that to 30 demonstration greenhouses to teach our farmers how we can do greenhouse farming, use hydroponics, aquaponic systems and vertical farming technologies to assist our farmers to cultivate their crops in a controlled environment and be able to mitigate against weather, pests and disease."
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