As part of a project to support resilience-building in the\u00a0 productive sectors of Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) through the introduction\u00a0 of solar technologies, the Caribbean Agriculture Research and Development Institute (CARDI),\u00a0 in collaboration with the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), hosted a one\u00a0week training in Grenada.<\/p>\n
From Nov. 16 to 20, agro-processors and agro-processing groups interested in utilising this\u00a0 renewable energy resource for the preservation of food were allowed to gain a better understanding\u00a0 of areas such as solar drying, good hygiene, sanitation and food safety practices in relation to food\u00a0 processing and techniques in sweet potato flour processing. This initiative is anticipated to promote\u00a0 value addition in the root crop sector. The use of solar drying is expected to reduce the dependence\u00a0 on fossil fuels, thereby building resilience in agri-food value chains.<\/p>\n
Identifying the challenges commonly faced by agro-processors in Grenada, including lack of\u00a0 capital, inefficient processing and marketing, FAO Representative, Michael Church, spoke of the\u00a0 international organisation\u2019s readiness to support.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cWhile FAO understands that agricultural development faces a number of challenges, it\u00a0 is our hope that the training would be a great opportunity, which would enhance the capacity of<\/p>\n
agro-processors and improve their small scale businesses to meet market demands and to put them\u00a0 in a position to expand or attract investments.\u201d<\/p>\n
CARDI official, Reginald Andall, said although there are plans to work with other root crops, such\u00a0 as cassava, the focus was placed on sweet potato, due to its nutrient content.<\/p>\n
He said, \u201cSolar energy will be used to dry root crops, particularly sweet potatoes, which are very\u00a0 nutritious, and it is well loved across the island and in the Caribbean.\u201d<\/p>\n
Throughout the project, CARDI & the FAO will collaborate with the Government of Grenada to work\u00a0\u00a0with the recipient beneficiary group for the installation and use of a solar drying and root crop flour\u00a0\u00a0production facility. Permanent Secretary for the Ministry of Agriculture, Elvis Morain, welcomed the\u00a0\u00a0use of a cleaner and environmentally friendly process for food preservation.<\/p>\n
\u201cAn investment in solar is a worthy one. Participants are well placed going forward, so we can build\u00a0\u00a0on the training and other trainings in the future,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The project aims to bring a new variety of flour to the Grenadian market \u2013 one which is highly\u00a0 nutritious as well as gluten free. The project is worth an estimated US$69,000.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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