Activities in Jamaica

Mr. Alexi Reid, of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Jamaica (right) receiving technology transfer at a Rice Factory in Japan.

Mr. Alexi Reid, a Research Assistant from the Bodles Agricultural Research Station at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries in Old Harbour, was granted a two-year JICA Award to pursue a Master of Science Degree in Agriculture in Japan. Mr. Reid studied at the Yamagata University from 2010 to 2012. While there his area of focus was on the socioeconomic aspect of the rice industry.

In 2008 the government of Jamaica decided to boost its local production of rice in order to ensure food security for the nation. Mr. Reid was one of the officers selected for overseas training under the bilateral technical cooperation programme between the governments of Jamaica and Japan.

Upon his return to Jamaica, Mr. Reid is expected to support the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, giving guidance to the farmers and advice on the varieties of rice to be grown, best suited to the Jamaican conditions. According to Mr. Reid, most Jamaicans are eating rice instead of our traditional staple foods such as yams and bananas. The demand for rice is increasing hence rice production has to be an essential component of our food security strategy and a priority for the Jamaican government.

Mr. Reid intends to raise the level of awareness of the farmers regarding the techniques for rice cultivation, in addition to encouraging private sector partners to participate in this venture. In order to be prepared to undertake this huge project, Mr. Reid has returned to Japan to complete his Doctorate Degree at the United Graduate School of Agricultural Sciences, Iwate University, in a similar field.

Another participant of JICA’s Training Programme in Japan, who studied “Rice Cultivation Techniques”, is Mr. Dwaine Josephs. Mr. Josephs is from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) Jamaica and he pursued his training in Tsukuba City, Ibaraki Prefecture from February 6 to November 11, 2011.

Mr Josephs studied a wide variety of rice. Among the subject areas taught in this programme were rice physiology and ecology, plant pathology, rice morphology and anatomy, seed and germination, rice breeding, soil analysis and fertilizer, weed, disease and pest control, experimental design, statistical analysis and writing technical reports.

The practical aspect of his training took Mr. Josephs not only to other areas in Ibaraki Prefecture but to other rice growing prefectures throughout Japan. He gained practical knowledge in areas such as germination tests, seed selection and soaking, seed sowing, seedling management, land preparation and transplanting of seedlings. All participants of the training programme conducted assessments of plants at various stages of growth, participated in data collection, data analysis, harvesting and writing of technical papers.

Upon his return to Jamaica Mr. Josephs presented an Action Plan. His project is entitled “Rice Production, Productivity and Sustainability”. His project will commence soon. The objective of his project is “to improve rice cultivation productivity through efficient techniques and seed production in Jamaica”. The target group for RADA are extension officers, agricultural assistants and farmers.

Mr. Dwaine Josephs of RADA, Jamaica, learning mechanical transplanting in Tsukuba, Japan

Mr. Dwaine Josephs of RADA, presenting his proposed experiment to his colleagues at the Tsukuba International Centre in Japan.

Brown Plant Hopper Insecticide training in Japan

Mr. Dwaine Josephs and his colleagues at the Graduation Ceremony at Tsukuba International Centre in Japan.
Copyright Photos: Messrs. Alexi Reid & Dwaine Josephs