John Van Dyke International Market Information Development

Caribbean Countries Wide Range of Programs Management Trade Within Caribbean Region and U.S. Deficient Training Policies and Procedures Underdeveloped IT Programs

Caribbean Profile Wide Range of Programs Management and Supervision Data Collection Deficiencies Reporter Training Policies and Procedures Standards and/or Terminology Dissemination Information Technology

Guyana Management Guyana Marketing Corporation General Manager Program Manager Supervision Program Manager Data Collection Regional Offices Review Conducted on a Regular Basis Grades and Standards Data Management Excel Spreadsheets & D-base IV Historical Data Dissemination Limited Dissemination Lack of Widespread Knowledge of Program

Guyana Recommendations: Review supervisory structure to provide more direct supervision to reporters. Establish and conduct a formal reporter training program. Develop a reporter handbook establishing clearly defined policies and procedures. Collect market information based on product quality standards or terminology. Establish backup system for IT programs. Improve and update website and publish current price information on a scheduled basis. Obtain feedback and explain the MIS program to producers and other industry members.

Trinidad &Tobago Management Strong Support and Understanding Supervision Well Developed and Defined Data Collection Excellent Procedures and Policies Data Management In-house Developed IT system Dissemination Broad Based User Friendly Web Site Wide Distribution

Trinidad and Tobago Recommendations: Establish a reporter assessment and refresher course including standards review to maintain reporter expertise. Maintain and enhance the expertise of the IT section.

Grenada Program Approval In Planning Commission Management Basic Concepts Development Plan and Knowledge Industry Stakeholders Supportive Own Agenda

Grenada Recommendations: Establish market information program in Ministry of Agriculture Identify markets and/or marketing points to report

St. Lucia Program in Development Stage Established Program Manager Strong Industry Support Data Collection Review Data Currently Submitted Market Participants

St. Lucia Recommendations: Focus on program development. Include Stakeholders in planning and development stage.

Belize Management Ministry of Agriculture Beltraide Supervision Extension Service Data Collection Student Reporters Data Management and Dissemination Beltraide

Belize Recommendations: Establish Program In Ministry of Agriculture Address Student data collection and Extension Service Employees to collect data. Develop reporter training program to include quality identification and designation Develop reporter handbook on policies and procedures to collect, analyze, and aggregate data

Jamaica Management Divided between Agencies Rural Agriculture Development Authority MOA Data Bank Strong, Dedicated, Knowledgeable Supervision Not Clearly Defined Data Collection Too Large and Wide Spread to Manage Data Management ABIS MOADB Trinidad and Tobago Dissemination All Methods Under Consideration

Jamaica Recommendations: Clearly define the management structure for the program so all staff members and reporters are fully aware of the duties and responsibilities. Establish data base to manage data collection, aggregation, and dissemination in MOADB. Recommendations by NAMDEVCO should be considered including their assistance. Establish reporter training and testing program. Develop reporter handbook on policies and procedures

Haiti Program in Development Stage Funding NGOs Program Manager Knowledge Data Collection Many Agencies Involved Ministry of Trade Statistics

Haiti Recommendations: Establish MIS in MOA at Sustainable Level Concentrate on farmgate price reporting Establish a reporter training program Develop a reporter’s handbook establishing reporting policies and procedures

Strengths and Weakness Guyana Strength: Management commitment to program Management understands the requirements for the program, but lacks the time to stay fully engaged in the program Weakness: Data collection procedures Reporter training Standards, grades, or uniform terminology Data Management Dissemination

Strengths and Weakness Trinidad and Tobago Strength: Management and supervisory structure Reporter training Collection procedures Uniform standards and terminology Data management Dissemination Weakness: None Identified

Strengths and Weakness Grenada Strength: Commitment to establish program and support from Ministry Support from industry stakeholders for program Weakness: Planning Commission approval time period Lack of detailed program development plan Industry stakeholders could have their own agenda on MIS development

Strengths and Weakness St. Lucia Strength: Commitment and support by management and the Ministry Industry stakeholder request and support for MIS program Weakness: Lack of fully development program structure Development time frame

Strengths and Weakness Belize Strength: Dedication and support by Beltraide Weakness: Organizational Structure Reporter expertise Reporter training program Sustainability in present design

Strengths and Weakness Jamaica Strength: MOA support Management, but needs structure Diversity of reporting points Data collection plans Weakness: Reporter training Data management Reporter training

Strengths and Weakness Haiti Strength: MOA support for program Program manager has good concepts on how the program should be organized and managed Weakness: Program structure Sustainability Reporter training program