L. Harrynanan, M. D. SINGH, E. Harry, G. Rawlins and A. Mohammed Using linkages and farmer training to promote improvements in the small ruminant sub-sector for Trinidad and Tobago L. Harrynanan, M. D. SINGH, E. Harry, G. Rawlins and A. Mohammed

Overview Background/History Activities Results Conclusion

T&T, Jamaica & Barbados-2012 Trinidad & Tobago Jamaica Barbados Imports (MT) 3,562 2,307 1,239 Imports (US$ M) 13.6 10.8 5.7 Local production 123 1,426 148 Local prod % of consumption 3.3 38 10.6 Imports & production of sheep & goat meat in T&T, Jamaica & Barbados-2012 (FAOSTAT - October2014).

Background/History The local Goat/Sheep farming Industry has not been able to meet the demands of the local consumer There are greater income benefits to be derived from value added products when compared to solely primary products

Small Ruminants in the Caribbean Most Governments in the Region and several Institutions have active programmes which aim to support and further the development of the regional small ruminant industry. MFP, SFC, LLPB, THA, CARDI, CDB, CFC, FAO, IDRC, IICA, Mc Gill University, UWI MFP- Centeno livestock and Aripo livestock

*Project 1- IICA – Aug 2011 to Dec 2013 “Improving the Competitiveness of the Small Ruminant Sub-sector through the Development of National Grading Standards and enhanced Market Intelligence.” Participating IICA Offices IICA Offices in Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica In 2011, IICA started the implementation of a project entitled: “Improving the Competitiveness of the Small Ruminant Sub-sector through the Development of National Grading Standards and enhanced Market Intelligence”. This project was implemented in three of the countries where IICA has representation including Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago (JBTT). The small ruminant project was implemented as a cross-cutting coordination programme to include: 1) Agribusiness and Commercialization; 2) Agriculture and Food Security, and 3) Agricultural Health and Food Safety and also Food Security and Climate Change. The project was coordinated by the Agribusiness Specialist in the IICA Jamaica office. Funding for the project was provided through the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Competitiveness Fund for Technical Cooperation (FonTC). The project had a duration of two years, commencing on August 2011 and ending December 2013. * 2 years, IICA Funded

Project Objectives Improve the competiveness T&T small ruminant farmers, through the improvement of their current grading standards Provide a better understanding of the market and the current and future opportunities that exists. Fill the knowledge gap as it pertained to the cost effective approach to SR production in the Caribbean Lessons learned could prove effective to cases elsewhere in the region Engender deeper interaction and involvement of the IICA and CARDI Offices CARDI’s Medium Term Plan (MTP) 2008-2010 and current MTP 2011-2013 have placed emphasis on Commodity Development within the livestock industry with special focus on small ruminants as part of their Strategic Axis, Development of Sustainable Industries. CARDI completed much work in the areas of improved production technologies (breed improvement, feed and feeding systems, housing, etc.) and value addition for both meat and dairy production systems. Training has also been a key component in CARDI efforts

Target Group & Beneficiaries The main target groups: Small ruminant producers Extension officers of the MOA CARDI Bureau of Standards Public health authorities. The beneficiaries: small ruminant producers processors food service operators, distributors MFP, IICA and CARDI

3-day training workshop on “Meat Fabrication, Hygiene and Sanitary Slaughter of Small Ruminants” [CARDI, MFP, SFC, VET Public Health, TTGSS] Collaborating agencies/institutions: [CARDI, MFP, SFC, VET Public health, TTGSS]

IICA: 3-day training workshop on “Meat Fabrication, Hygiene and Sanitary Slaughter of Small Ruminants” Collaborators: CARDI, MFP, SFC, VET Public Health, TTGSS]

Activity 1 30 persons trained slaughtering, grading & meat fabrication SR carcass fabrication for supermarkets, restaurants & hotels Training video developed on Meat Fabrication during the practical. Theory and Practical

Meat Fabrication

Hands-on practical experience

Hands-on practical experience

Hands-on practical experience

HIGH PRICE CUTS

Training in basic HACCP, GMP and Good Hygiene Practices for the slaughtering & fabrication of meat from SR Based on a training Manual on Hygiene Slaughter for small ruminants (developed by Dr. Linnette Peters) 1-Day training by Dr. Bissessar, Veterinary Public Health, Ministry of Health, T&T Activity 2

Participants Received Certificate of Achievement

Component 3 -Marketing Survey

Component 3 -Marketing Survey Activity 3 Component 3 -Marketing Survey Providing marketing intelligence on meat & milk products from SR. Data on purchases, satisfaction factors and reasons for purchase or non- purchase of value added meat and dairy products were captured Survey undertaken to better understand current markets Supermarkets-47 Institutions (Hotels, Restaurants, Caterers, and Roti Shops) -45 Meat Vendors -13 General public - 169 Supermarkets, Institutions, Meat Vendors and Members of the Public. The actual numbers surveyed in each of the segments are as follows: Supermarkets - 47; Institutions - 45; Meat Vendors – 13; Public - 169

Sensitization Seminar -Dec 11, 2013 “Market Study for Value Added Meat and Dairy Products from Small Ruminants in Trinidad and Tobago”

Objective of the Workshop To present the analyses of the survey findings quantities purchased preference for various types of cuts the perception of consumers towards sheep and goat meat, as well as goat milk and cheese The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA); the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society (TTGSS) are collaborating to host a one-day workshop on the “Market Study for Value Added Meat and Dairy Products from Small Ruminants in Trinidad and Tobago” to be held on December 11, 2012 at the Centre of Excellence, Macoya. The workshop is being held to disseminate and sensitize the stakeholders on the market intelligence of meat and milk products from small ruminants. This activity is the 3rd component of an IICA led technical cooperation project amongst the IICA and CARDI offices in Jamaica, Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago on “Improving the competitiveness of the small ruminant sub-sector through the development of national grading standards and enhanced market intelligence".   The consultant for the project Mr. Aziz Mohammed will be presenting the findings of the market study which engaged various stakeholders through 4 survey instruments: general public, institutions, meat vendors and supermarkets. The survey was conducted over the last 3 months in both Trinidad and in Tobago. A panel discussion on the 'Way Forward' will be led by Norman Gibson, CARDI.

Consultant & presenter: Mr. Aziz Mohammed 45 persons attended the workshop Stakeholders: farmers/producers, meat processors, butchers, supermarket operators, extension officers, Producer Associations, academic institutions

Overall Findings/Conclusions Local supplies of sheep and goat constitute a small percentage of the total market demand, with imports (approx 94%) meeting most of the demand. Local production has been on the decline over the last five years. The peak demand period for sheep and goat meat are the religious holidays Eid ul Fitr and Eid ul Adha,

Overall Findings/Conclusions Key to increased consumption of the local products were; price, consistency in supplies, quality standards and attention to hygiene and food safety. The level of sales of value added dairy products are very low and growth is dependent on the creation of demand through market promotion.

Component 4: Small Ruminant Study Mission to Fort Valley State University A four-day study mission -18 member team (5 Jamaicans, 4 Barbadians & 9 T+T). Feeding systems Reproduction techniques Animal health Grading, slaughtering and meat processing practices Value added products (milk, cheese, ice-cream, soaps etc.) from small ruminants Marketing strategies employed in the sale of meat and value added products from small ruminants.

Small Ruminant Tour to Fort Valley State University – Atlanta, Georgia supported 5 persons (9 persons total)- (MFP, CARDI, SFC, THA, FARMERS) Study Tour:

Projct 2: IICA COMPETITIVE FUND FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION FonTC Appropriate Intensive Small Ruminant Production Systems for the Caribbean based on Local Feed Resources, Coordinator - Dr. Manuel Sanchez in Dominican Republic & Lisa Harrynanan in T&T Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Centeno Livestock Station, El Carmen, Trinidad IICA’S COMPETITIVE FUND FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION [FonTC] Intensive Small Ruminant Production Systems for the Caribbean Countries 2-Day Workshop on “Improving Small Ruminant Production Based on Suitable Forages & Management in Trinidad & Tobago” Centeno Livestock Station, El Carmen, Trinidad February 27-28, 2013

32 persons : farmers, livestock officers and technicians “Improving small ruminant production based on suitable forages and management”. 32 persons : farmers, livestock officers and technicians build capacity in small ruminant production techniques strong emphasis on using locally grown forages: Leuceana & Moringa (saijan) among others. IICA Trinidad and Tobago, February 22, 2013. The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), the Ministry of Food Production (MFP), the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society (TTGSS) are collaborating to convene a two-day workshop on February 27 and 28, 2013 at the Centeno Livestock Station, El Carmen, Trinidad and Tobago. “Saijan” is commonly eaten as a vegetable in curries. The leaves contain more than 23% protein and possess a digestibility of over 80%.

IICA’S COMPETITIVE FUND FOR TECHNICAL COOPERATION [FonTC] Intensive Small Ruminant Production Systems for the Caribbean Countries Workshop on “Establishment, management and processing of forage species of high nutritive value” Sugarcane Feeds Centre, Pokhor Road, Longdenville September 19-21, 2013 2nd workshop – collaboration with (see logos)

Demonstration of small ruminant production models based on local feedstuffs. strong emphasis on using locally grown forages such as Leuceana, Tithonia diversifoliaithonia & Moringa (saijan) etc. Tithonia diversifolia promote innovation for the productivity and competitiveness of agriculture in Trinidad and Tobago through capacity building and the The consultant for the project Dr. Ismael Hernandez delivered presentations in Silvopastoral systems: an option for integrated farms and Establishment of forage species of high nutritive value; Recommendations for management, and processing and Demonstration of forage establishment by seeds, seedlings and stakes. Leucaena leucocephala (Wild tamarind)

“Establishment, management and processing of forage species of high nutritive value” 2 days of demonstrations at 2 farms – Ministry of Food Production Farm and Farmer Lindsay Gay. The second workshop entitled “Establishment, management and processing of forage species of high nutritive value” was held in collaboration with CARDI; the Sugarcane Feed Centre, and the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society at the Sugarcane Feeds Centre, Chaguanas on September 19, 2013 followed by 2 days of field demonstrations. Dr. Hernandez demonstrates the establishment of forage species Dr. Ismael Hernandez shows participants how to cut stakes Local forages as high quality feed for goat and sheep in Trinidad and Tobago The consultant for the project Dr. Ismael Hernandez delivered presentations in Silvopastoral systems: an option for integrated farms and establishment of forage species of high nutritive value; and recommendations for management and processing. In addition he demonstrated forage establishment at 2 demonstration sites: the Ministry of Food Production Mon Jaloux Forage estate and a small ruminant farmer, Up De Hill Farm in Moruga. Local and imported species used in the demonstrations either by seedlings, seeds, stakes or cuttings were Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia); Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala var. Cunningham); Clitoria (Clitoria ternatea var tehuana); Moringa (Moringa oleifera); Teramnus (Teramnus labialis); Guanacaste (Enterolobium cyclocarpum); Gliricidia (Gliricidia sepium) and Trichantera gigantean. Dr. Hernandez, a native of Cuba has It was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Food Production, Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI); the Sugarcane Feed Centre, and the Trinidad and Tobago Goat and Sheep Society.

Conclusion Agricultural forage developers should explore the benefits of forages as an alternative to grasses MFP has already embarked on establishing a forage farm at Mon Jaloux in Cunupia.

Conclusion Through the IICA >200 persons have been trained in meat fabrication & hygiene for small ruminants Number of farmers, agro processors, students capacity has been increased Establishment of forage banks Improved management of small ruminants.

IICA, CARDI, SFC, UWI, ST. AUGUSTINE Acknowledgements IICA, CARDI, SFC, UWI, ST. AUGUSTINE