By Zoila Palma: The 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2026 in Trelawny, Jamaica happening this week, featured technical sessions focused on modernizing the production, protection and commercialization of root and tuber crops across the Caribbean.
The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) co-hosted the sessions, bringing together agricultural experts, researchers, government representatives and private-sector partners to explore ways to improve productivity and strengthen regional supply chains.
Presentations covered research and practical techniques to improve sweet potato, potato, yam, dasheen and cassava production.
CARDI shared comparative research on sweet potato yields using tubers and cuttings, alongside soil management practices to increase productivity. Other sessions examined single-node yam propagation, tissue culture mini-sett production, yam germination and trials on dasheen planting density and fertilizer use in Dominica and St. Vincent.
The technical discussions also addressed pest and disease management, including biological controls for sweet potato weevils and CARDI trials using bay leaf oil to manage yam rust disease in Dominica.
Researchers also presented cassava production guidelines aimed at maximizing yields to support commercial applications such as flour, starch and brewing. Participants included representatives from the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), CASE, Caribbean Chemicals Jamaica and Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining.
The sessions concluded with discussions on value addition and expanding markets for processed root crop products.
Private-sector partners, including Red Stripe Jamaica and hotel sourcing agents, explored opportunities to strengthen commercial links and increase demand for regional produce.
The post Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2026 highlights opportunities in roots and tubers Industry appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Zoila Palma: The 20th Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2026 in Trelawny, Jamaica happening this week, featured technical sessions focused on modernizing the production, protection and commercialization of root and tuber crops across the Caribbean. The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) co-hosted the sessions, bringing together agricultural experts, researchers, government representatives and private-sector
The post Caribbean Week of Agriculture 2026 highlights opportunities in roots and tubers Industry appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
