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CARDI
CARIBBEAN AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH and DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE
Caribbean Agricultural
Research and Development Institute (CARDI) is the leading research and development organisation in the Caribbean. It was established in 1975 to serve the agricultural research and development needs of the member states of CARICOM.
The Standing Committee of Ministers responsible for Agriculture in CARICOM governs CARDI. This
body approves the budget and provides the Board of Directors with general guidelines concerning policy and programmes. The Board of Directors is composed of representatives of the Member States, the University of
the West Indies and Guyana, the Caribbean Development Bank, the Caribbean Food Corporation and Caricom Secretariat.
IMPACT ON:
 VEGETABLES
1988/89 saw the introduction of Caraibe Tomatoes from AVRDC. This cultivar is high yielding and
produces well in the rainy season. Producers very well received it.
In the early 1990’s CARDI trained extension officers and farmers, developed an improved production
tech-pak for Hot pepper, made available for distribution ‘virus free’ seed material produced by CARDI Antigua.
FRUIT AND TREE CROPS
In 1990, CARDI refined the technique of rapid multiplication of Breadfruit from root cuttings. Post harvest losses experienced by farmers was reduced by introducing improved picking equipment and reducing the
height of plants.
The use of flower induction technology together with CARDI’s tree management programme to obtain
off-season Mango production of selected varieties, farmers were able to increase fruit retention and marketability.
In 1992 Cardi found that rooting staghorn and juvenile cuttings of Soursop had a higher success rate than
mature cuttings. A tech – pak was developed and distributed.
Hawaiian Solo variety of Papaya
was introduced and a production package developed and adopted by producers.
Varietal trails on the yellow and purple Passion fruits for selection and multiplication for distribution of the
most suitable varieties.
FOOD AND ROOT CROPS
Research has been conducted on the use of Banana
plants and rejected bananas for feeding small ruminants have been successful.
In the 1980’s rapid propagation techniques were employed to produce healthy, disease free planting
material of the Dwarf Horne Plantains for distribution. Post harvest research on the Horne and Apem
plantain varieties identified handling and storage methods that can reduce losses attributable to ‘ship ripening’. These methods enhanced the exportability of plantains originating from St. Lucia.
In early 1980’s the high incidence of the ‘burning disease’ caused by the fungus Pythium myriotylum
impacted negatively on Tannia production. Production/management techniques were identified for effective control of the disease.
Evaluation of several Yam
cultivars in the early 1980’s identified indigenous and imported (including Belep and Oriental) varieties which were high yielding, tolerant to anthracnose and possesses characteristics of
taste and texture conforming to local and export market requirements. 1991 virus free tubers of several
high yielding, anthracnose tolerant varieties were introduced from Barbados for distribution to farmers.
From 1986 improved planting material of white yam (Florida, kabuels, and flimbite) for multiplication was
introduced from INRA, Guadeloupe. These high yielding varieties produce uniform tuber shapes that do well without staking, are tolerant to anthracnose and cook well.
CARDI maintained and distributed planting material of the Sweet potato
cultivars, Mandela and A26/7. Summer Regal and Jewel are high yielding, tolerant to weevil, wet soil, conform to market requirements and cook well were introduce by CARDI. Ten Peanut
varieties were evaluated for yield in the mid-1980s. 6, including local white showed that under good conditions could obtain high yields. Production and
management techniques were developed, and adopted by local producers.
Miscellaneous
The provision of farming systems technology and support in an attempt to improve the management practices on the steep hillsides of the Mabouya Valley Development project.
The USAID/ CARDI Farming Systems Research and Development Project for the development of small
farm implements was established in the 1980’s. 6 different implement were order through USAID. A peanut Sheller was bought from CARDI St. Kitts. The Hartley fork, a modified hand fork, was developed,
tested and introduced to the St. Lucian farmer. It was designed to do the same operations of the conventional fork with less effort. Evaluation of drip irrigation kits showed great promise.
For the Year 2000 and Onwards CARDI’s mandates are:
Technology generation, adaptation and transfer
Marketing development
Research coordination and linkagesTop of Page
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