UWI School of Food and Agriculture provides immediate agri-environmental services to farmers

UWI School of Food and Agriculture provides immediate agri-environmental services to farmers

Mr Augustus Thomas (right) demonstrates the UWIMade Biophyte 1.0, a biological alternative to harmful pesticides, to local farmers in the Orange Grove area during the Mobile Agri-Environmental Services (AES) programme run by the University of the West Indies’ Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA).

St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago – August 15, 2024 – Department of Food Production, Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA), St Augustine Campus, University of the West IndiesRecognising the importance of safe and quality food in our diet, Agri-Environmental Services (AES) was established to meet this need and provide important support to farmers and other relevant stakeholders such as agrochemical companies in the area of ​​plant health services.

On July 23, 2024, AES took a significant step forward by providing diagnostic services directly to farmers in the Orange Grove area using a mobile approach for the first time. The program, offered free of charge, sees FFA teams visit farm sites and engage with local farmers to diagnose issues related to plant and soil health and provide guidance on appropriate remedial actions. Services include soil health assessments, such as pH and electrical conductivity (EC) measurements, as well as diagnosis of pest and disease issues.

Plant health services are essential to maintaining the vitality of agricultural systems, ensuring the quality and adequacy of the food supply needed to feed growing local and global populations. AES provides a comprehensive range of scientific analytical and diagnostic services, including pest and disease diagnostics, soil and water analysis, animal feed analysis, and food analysis. Each component is critical and interconnected within the broader agricultural and ecological systems.

These integrated services are designed not just to react when problems arise, but to proactively support our stakeholders through quality services. For example, pest and disease diagnostics play a vital role in protecting crops from pathogens and pests that can cause significant damage to plant health and yields. By identifying these threats early, effective management strategies can be implemented to mitigate the impact.

Similarly, soil and water analysis provides important data about the nutritional and chemical status of the environment in which plants grow. This information is essential for optimizing crop health and productivity, ensuring that environmental conditions support optimal plant growth. In addition, animal feed analysis ensures that livestock receive balanced nutrition, which is essential for their health and the quality of animal-derived foods. Meanwhile, food analysis assesses the safety and quality of food, safeguarding public health and maintaining consumer trust in agricultural output.

FFA recognizes the critical role farmers play in ensuring food supply, is committed to supporting them, and is determined to continue this mobile service, visiting different farming communities each year. This proactive approach aims to increase the resilience of food systems, improve the sustainability of agricultural practices, and enhance the availability and quality of food and agricultural products. By supporting individual farmers and agricultural producers, AES promotes food security and environmental sustainability for the wider community.

For more information or to take advantage of this opportunity, please contact plant pathologist Augustus Thomas 662-2002 ext. 82090 or by WhatsApp: 868-389-4237 (868-389-4AES). Alternatively, you can also contact us via the following email addresses: STA-AES.DFP@sta.uwi.edu.

The Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) will also TT 2024 Agricultural Expo At Queen’s Park Friday, August 16, 2024 – Sunday, August 18, 2024 The main goal is to build partnerships with key stakeholders. Farmers, processors, distributors, retailers and consumers are welcome to visit the booth where insights will be shared on improving the efficiency and sustainability of the local food supply chain. Please check the booth number E25 to E28 Meet the FFA experts.

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Notes to Editors

Photo Captions

Mr Augustus Thomas assesses the health of plants and the condition of the soil during a Mobile Agri-Environmental Services (AES) exercise.

A member of the Academy of Food and Agriculture (FFA) conducts soil analysis to diagnose pest and disease symptoms during a Mobile Agri-Environmental Services (AES) exercise.

A member of the Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA) shared a bottle of UWIMade (Biophyte 1.0), a bio-friendly pesticide that enables an ideal remedy for optimal soil health and plant protection, with local farmers in the Orange Grove area during a Mobile Agri-Environmental Services (AES) exercise.

About the University of the West Indies

University of the West Indies The University of the West Indies (UWI) is the Caribbean’s premier institution of higher education. One of only two regional universities in the world, it has five campuses across the English-speaking Caribbean and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe. The University of the West Indies is consistently ranked among the world’s best universities by the most prestigious ranking agencies. Times Higher Education (THE).

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