In St. Kitts and Nevis, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Marine Resources is addressing sweet potato production challenges by collaborating with the International Potato Center (CIP) in Peru and the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI). These partnerships aim to revitalize the crop, crucial for local farmers and consumers, by overcoming disease-related yield reductions.
Under the guidance of Permanent Secretary Miguel Flemming, the Ministry is intensifying research to boost sweet potato sustainability and prosperity. A key initiative includes discussions with CIP for developing disease-free nurseries and introducing resilient sweet potato varieties. This collaboration seeks to ensure a stable supply of healthy sweet potatoes through farmer training, capacity building, and enhanced laboratory efforts for disease detection and management.
Additionally, engagements with CARDI, led by Executive Director Ansari Hosein, focus on advancing sweet potato research and development. These efforts are designed to equip local farmers with cutting-edge agricultural innovations and effective pest and disease management strategies.
Through these international collaborations, the Ministry of Agriculture aims to secure the long-term success of sweet potato farming in St. Kitts and Nevis, ensuring the crop's role in the nation's food security and agricultural economy.
Source: Observer