NATIONAL INTEGRATED DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY
Emerging Issues, Agriculture
(continued)
8. PROPOSED PROJECTS
8.1
Livestock Development for Anegada
The production of livestock and poultry in Anegada is done on a very
small scale. Goats and sheep are reared under a loose grazing system.
Native fowls are reared in cages or allowed to run in the yards mainly for
egg production. There are no pig and rabbit producers. Because of the dry
climate, shallow soils and the coral structure of the island, the growth
of grasses are stunted. Palatable forages are scarce especially for large
ruminants e.g. cattle.
The programme would concentrate on the increase rearing of small
ruminants, pigs, rabbits and poultry. With respect to small rumninants and
pigs. Supply of breeding stock would be the main input by the Department
of Agriculture whereas with poultry and rabbits on-farm demonstration
production systems would be done.
Objectives
1) To increase livestock and poultry production on the island.
2) To increase the knowledge and skills of farmers.
3) To increase the income of farmers.
4) To decrease the importation of meat and eggs.
5) To develop a livestock farming clientele.
6) To encourage young persons to adopt farming as a profitable
business.
The programme of work would consists of the following:
1. Forage production
Establishment of forage banks such as guinea
and eggplant grass and leucanea plots at the Coconut Site and on
farmers’ holdings.
2. Poultry Production
Building of poultry cages to house fifty
layers. On-farm demonstrations of egg production, supply of chicks and
feed up to laying period.
3. Pig Production
Supply of purebred breeding stock and
assistance in the design of housing and marketing.
4. Sheep and Goat Production
Supply of purebred breeding stock and
assistance in the desgin of housing and marketing.
5. Rabbit Production
Building of rabbit cages to house one pair of
rabbits per person. Supply of breeding stock and feed up to first
litter.
8.2
Upgrading the Breeding and Multiplication Center for Virgin Island White
Sheep.
Goal
To increase the number of improved Virgin Island White Sheep
available as breeding stock to local and regional sheep producers.
Activities
1. Source and select animals for breeding.
2. Establish a breeding programme.
3. Establish a multiplication system on the situation at Paraquita
Bay and on selected farms.
4. Implement a management system for the station and farmer
operated multiplication units.
5. Provide improve housing facilities and feeding systems.
6. Develop a registration and certification programme of animals.
7. Develop a marketing programme for the BVI breeding animals.
Expected Output
- Increased number of breeding stock available for sale to farmers in
the BVI and the region.
- Increased sales of good quality Virgin Island White Sheep to
producers.
- At least two multiplication centres for Virgin Island White Sheep
established.
- Improved housing and feeding systems in place.
- Established registration and certification programme for Virgin
Island White Sheep.
8.3
Small Ruminant Production and Marketing Systems Development.
Goal
To facilitate integration and application of alternative technologies
in the development of commercial small ruminant production and marketing
systems in the BVI.
Activities
1. Select target areas and farmers.
2. Validate, demonstrate improved dry season feeding practices of
sheep and goats.
3. Establish on small to medium commercial farms improved, cost
effective housing systems for shelter and security of small ruminants.
4. Establish production and marketing systems for local lamb and
goats.
5. Train farmers and front-line extension officers.
6. Conduct socio-economic studies to demonstrate the impact of
improved technologies on farm families; gender roles and socio-cultural
considerations.
7. Develop marketing plan for locally produced mutton and lamb.
Expected Output
- Improved dry season feeding
- Improved housing on commercial farms.
- Improved supply of good quality lamb.
- Improved feeding and management of small ruminants.
- Trained farmers and front-line extension officers.
- Improved system for producing sheep meat established.
- Improved marketing of locally produced mutton and lamb.
8.4 Food Crop Production and Marketing Systems Development.
Goal
To Facilitate integration of alternative technologies in the
development of commercial food crop production and marketing systems in
the BVI.
Activities
1. Select target areas and farmers.
2. Establish validation and demonstration plots.
3. Conduct technology adaptation studies.
4. Train farmer and Front-line officers.
5. Transfer technology in Integrated Pest Management.
6. Establish quality assurance systems.
7. Conduct socio-economic studies.
8. Prepare marketing plan for locally produced fruits, vegetables
and root crops.
Expected Output
- Improved food crop production systems including adapted varieties,
fertigation, low rainfall practices and drip irrigation systems.
- Increased agro-tourism linkage through year-round production systems
including covered production systems.
- Farmers and extension officers trained.
- Improved post harvest handling methods.
- Pest and disease control with emphasis on Integrated Pest Management
methods.
8.5 Food Crop Demonstration and Training Centre including
Water Resources Development and Management Techniques in the BVI.
Goal
To increase crop production through the application of soil and water
conservation technology.
Activities
1. Provide technical assistance to the Department of
Agriculture and farmers in farm design for most efficient water
management, irrigation systems and water harvesting.
2. Demonstrate mulching techniques, utilizing guinea grass or
other available forages and other materials.
3. Test and demonstrate methods for conserving soil.
4. Establish systems for increasing the efficient use of drip
irrigation.
5. Validate and transfer dry land year round production systems
for food crops.
6. Train farmers and front-line officers.
Expected Output
- Improved efficiency in irrigation.
- Appropriately design farms to efficiently manage water and conserve
soil.
- Increased use of dry land techniques in crop production.
- Validated technologies.
- Trained farmers and front-line farmers.
8.6 Technical Assistance to the Ministry of Agriculture and
the Farming Community.
Goal
Establishment and management of a responsive technical assistance
service that meets the needs of the Ministry of Agriculture and the
agricultural community.
Activities
1. Assess needs and constraints.
2. Advisory services in farm planning, integrated pest management,
project development and implementation, agricultural engineering and
marketing.
3. Assistance in the planning and execution of the Animal Farmers
Week.
4. Selected training in non-programme areas including study tours
and seminars.
5. Preparation of farm enterprise development plans.
6. Other assistance that may be required.
Expected Output
- Needs and constraints documented.
- Improved farms, management practices and farmers incomes.
- Enhanced Annual Farmers Week.
- Enhanced CARDI’s image as a Research and Demonstration institution
in the BVI.
- Better trained Ministry of Agriculture staff and farmers.
- Enhanced capacity of the Ministry to satisfy the needs of the
farming community.
8.7 Establishment of a Technical Information Service.
Goal
To contribute to the technical information needs of the Ministry of
Agriculture and the farming community by the establishment of systems
that would access and disseminate information from the CARDI
Documentation Center.
Activities
1. Establish CARDI/CTA focal point committee.
2. Establish CARDI/CTA Question and Answer service.
3. Conduct selected literature search for CARDI clients.
4. Provide packaged technical information to the Ministry and the
farming community.
Expected Output
- Established BVI focal point.
- Informed Ministry and farmers.
- Improved information flow from conducted searchers.
- Increased availability of relevant packaged technical information.
8.8 Agricultural Cooperation Project between the BVI,
Montserrat and Anguilla.
1. Establish production and marketing task force.
2. Conduct market studies to determine market requirements.
3. Conduct transportation study.
4. Establish production scheduling and monitoring.
5. Establish a quality assurance system.
6. Conduct shipping trials.
7. Establish payment guarantee schemes.
8. Facilitate marketing selected commodities.
9. Facilitate exchange of selected germplasm.
10. Conduct economic and impact assessment.
Expected Output
- Established mechanism for coordinated production and marketing (task
force).
- Increased supply of selected commodities.
- Increased intra-regional trade.
- Increased farmers incomes.
- Defined market.
- Established guarantee payment scheme.
- Increase trade.
- Improved availability of selected germplasm.
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