Strategies to enhance collaboration among agricultural institutions and to increase linkage between research and extension
1987
Gumbs, F.A. (West Indies Univ., St. Augustine (Trinidad and Tobago). Faculty of Agriculture)
The English-speaking Caribbean is well serviced by agricultural institutions which can be classified into Executive, Regional and International Service, Regional training, research and development. The roles of these institutions are highlighted. Substantial agricultural training is available at several levels, but these have not fully impacted on agricultural development. Training programmes are not always established in response to a careful assessment of needs nor do they always take into consideration the existing capabilities. The logical approach is made difficult because of the absence of regional or national agricultural development plans and of an assessment of the needs for trained manpower. The objectives of the training programmes are often not clearly defined. A proper assessment of all training programmes needs to be carried out, objectives defined, curricula developed, programmes standardised and certified. The University of the West Indies should be given the resources to play the lead role in these activities. Research collaboration within institutions and coordination of research between institutions by commodity networks are proposed. The network system proposed for the Caribbean is presented. A linkage of research institutions with service institutions and a strong information system are necessary and are strongly recommended. The USA Land Grant System or the Scottish System seems more appropriate to the Caribbean. Argues that a suitably modified version of these systems should be adopted in the Caribbean or if the present system continues to be used, a much stronger link and better communications between researcher and extensionist are required.
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