Regional Organization for the Improvement of the Research and Development of the Agricultural Sector in the Caribbean

It provides for the research and development needs of the agricultural sector in the region as identified in national plans and policies. CARDI's main purpose is to improve agricultural productivity and food security in the Caribbean region. The organization aims to achieve this goal through the implementation of Farming Systems Research and Development (FSRD) methodologies. FSRD is a holistic approach to agricultural development that focuses on improving the overall productivity and sustainability of farming systems. The benefits of FSRD are expected to be significant, particularly for small-scale farmers in the Eastern Caribbean. These farmers are expected to benefit from increased production, productivity, income, nutrition, and reduction in drudgery. Farm families will also benefit from increased farm incomes and improvements in nutrition. At the national level, the anticipated benefits of FSRD include increased food security, reduced dependency on food imports, increased export earnings, and increased rural employment. Ministries of Agriculture (MOAs) will benefit from the training of Extension and Research Officers in FSR methodologies and an improved information base for policy making and planning. CARDI itself will benefit from the strengthening of its capabilities to implement FSRD and other research programs. The Institute as a whole will benefit from the improvement of its organization and management, which will enable it to implement FSRD and other research programs more effectively. The implementation of FSRD will involve the training of farmers, Extension and Research Officers, and other stakeholders in the use of improved agricultural technologies and practices. This will be achieved through a combination of on-farm demonstrations, training programs, and information dissemination activities. Overall, the implementation of FSRD is expected to have a positive impact on the agricultural sector in the Caribbean region, leading to improved productivity, food security, and rural livelihoods.