What drives you to succeed?

As customary on Tech4agri , we take the time to feature agriyouth like many of us out there striving for success. Understanding success factors certainly helps one along the way but it is not an exact formula. What is clear is that one must have that drive to pursue what he or she is truly after, exhausting every opportunity, to ensure they accomplish their goals.

This week we feature Machel A. Emanuel, a Dominican born, PhD student at the University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Jamaica. Machel’s academic background  features a Bsc. Zoology & Botany, following that an Msc. Plant Production and Protection.

Over time Machel opted for an academic career within the university community which led to a specific research area in crop science with a focus on post harvest techniques. Mainly his work is devoted to the physiology and biochemistry of fresh tropical and sub-tropical fruits during the maturation, ripening and storage stages.

Furthermore Machel has conducted research on some fruits such as ackee (Blighia sapida), june plum (Spondias dulcis), carambola (Averrhoa carambola), otaheite apple (Syzygium malaccense), soursop (Annona muricata) and custard apple (Annona reticulate) with much of his work featured on Acta Horticulturae, an immense online repository of horticultural research information.

He is also well networked as a member of the International Society for Horticultural Sciences (ISHS) and certified as an Organic Farm Inspector by the International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements (IFOAM).

Currently Machel is expanding his career, knowledge and field experience even further as a visiting scholar at the Horticultural Science Department, University of Florida.

Truly a dedicated individual, one can clearly see his efforts to build his reputation within the academic world. Trends within this strategy centre on finding a balance of skills and  certified qualifications  while simultaneously exposing oneself to related fields of study followed by narrowing one’s focus.

In a brief interview with Tech4Agri Machel explains more his method and continued efforts in agriculture.

 

Phd Candidate Mr. Machel A. Emmanuel

Producers on the ‘Innocentive’ – Part 1

The first in our series begins with an experimental set up by the manager of the Victory Country Ministry of Food Production Office, Saleem.

Though there are many tasks for this agricultural office which services the urban to rural area of Princess Town in south Trinidad, Saleem understands the importance of research and development.

Operating on an aquaponics system, Saleem planned and established the station by using very little space, thoughtfully placing the tank of tilapia fish, the locally preferred species for the craft underneath its raised hydroponics bed.

What is more striking however is the variety of items being grown in this one station.

The set up has lettuce, the most common of crops grown on hydroponic systems as well as chadon beni (cilantro), thyme, watercress, parsley and to one’s disbelief a full sized tomato plant laden with growing produce.

The set up combines hydroponic  pvc pipe lines which feed the lettuce and patchoi, in addition to a gravel bed which provide a steady base for the root systems of the other herbs/spices and the tomatoes.

As expected both the lines and the gravel bed are supplied by the half barrel tank of tilapia beneath the frame of the structure.

The structure itself was built by Saleem and his team giving node to the design and construction skill set using easy to access material.

Drainage from the lines and the gravel bed flow back into the tialpia tank after providing rich nutrients to the plants closing the cycle and ensuring stable growth.

Saleem and company are testing to see which vegetables/herbs grow best in the system; a simple set up with an important goal as many aquaponics and hydroponic producers usual grow one major crop.

By proving that multiple crops can grow in the same system, it is possible that this ‘aquaponic intercropping’ can assist in the prevention of pests or bacteria, if any as some herbs can act as a deterrent. This notion requires further research and development.

Additionally producers that grow multiple crops will then have multiple sources of income, as the risk of failure of the system followed by the loss of a mono-crop is reduced.

Saleem’s efforts are directly beneficial to farmers due to his standing within the local ministry’s office. The initiative is of his doing meaning him and his team qualify as ‘innocentive’

To: The Stakeholder in Youth Development

Here’s an update from the Agribusiness Society of the University of the West Indies! Follow them on twitter @abs_uwi , on youtube (absuwi) and on their facebook group

 RE: MEDIA KIT: Grenada Study Tour 2013

 THEME: An Assessment of the Grenada Cocoa Industry: Innovative Practices and Lessons for other Cocoa Producing Islands

 In May of 2013, young professionals in agriculture, the Agribusiness Society of the University of the West Indies undertook its annual Study Tour which seeks to provide the most valuable of learning dimensions; practical exposure. As leaders in agriyouth development, the executive of the Agribusiness Society have embraced the learning by doing method, and have planned and executed this event for the fourth consecutive year. The same will be done for 2014.

Through diligence and hard work, these individuals were able to secure much needed financial support from various sources within and external to the University of the West Indies.

The society wishes to thank Dr. Selby Nichols, Head of the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, a steadfast supporter of student development and major contributor these past four year and also heading into 2014.

The video above details the activities of the event.

Welcome back!

The new year is well on its way. With it comes new technology and innovation geared towards the many problems producers and other stakeholders face in agricultural production. Some of them are meant to improve entire industries while others simply seek to improve the lives of consumers. Each technology or method currently under research and development is astounding in its own right and will pave the way for the progress of the overall agricultural sector. Let’s take a look at some new innovations for 2014:

Biochar from Biomass:

By now  many of us have heard of bio energy which is renewable energy made available from materials derived from biological sources. According to the website Wikipedia.com, “biomass is any organic material which has stored sunlight in the form of chemical energy. As a fuel it may include wood, wood waste, straw, manure, sugarcane, and many other byproducts from a variety of agricultural processes”

The Cool Planet  organization has created a patented two-part mechanical and chemical process  which converts biomass into both carbon negative drop-in gasoline and biochar. This clean renewable fuel can be distributed and used in today’s vehicles with no change to existing infrastructure. The biochar, when placed in the ground as a soil enhancer, removes CO2 from the atmosphere while improving the soil for agricultural use.

Later this month we’ll learn more of biochar from a young Belgian agri-entrepeneur who utilizes biochar in her business endeavors.

A diagram depicting how Film Farming works
Source: Agricel.com

Film Farming: Here in the Caribbean many of us are aware of plastic mulch used to suppress weeds, conserve water and sometimes to reduce disease. There is no better case of science providing an improvement that Film Farming.  According to its creators Agricel this is “a technology in which plants are cultivated on a hydromembrane composed of water-soluble polymer and hydrogel. This hydromembrane absorbs water and nutrients from the culture medium, and does not release any to the plant side.  Accordingly, the plant develops a lot of fine and dense roots closely attached to the hydromembrane surface to absorb water and nutrients.”

This technology saves 90% of water consumption, Uses 80% less fertilizer, protects crops from diseases via pathogens as bacteria and viruses cannot penetrate the membrane material, its low cost and it allows the plant to produce many nutrients. An interesting technology it is.

Reblogged from ICT4Ag Blog

In the Caribbean region, Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is prevalent with mobile penetration at a particularly high level. Access to computers, smart phones, tablets and other ICTs is needed in every industry, with the easiest access found in the business, education, tourism, commerce and energy industries. However, with respect to the agricultural sector, ICT support varies considerably across the islands.

Some countries, such as Jamaica make heavy use of ICTs and social media in their various agricultural authorities such as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). Conversely in several other islands, ministerial facilities and divisions are on occasions under-resourced and lack appropriate technologies which could improve service and efficiency.

Regardless, there are several examples that can be found, whereby business and research divisions source the necessary equipments to facilitate their needs, particularly along the agri-food value chain.

At the University of the West Indies Field Station in Trinidad and Tobago, livestock researchers have employed microchip technology to assist in research efforts for Agouti production. Agoutis are large mammals belonging to the rodent family. This wild mammal is native to South America and the Caribbean. Along with other animals such as manicou and iguana, it is referred to and consumed locally as ‘wild meat’ meaning that it must be hunted.

Agouti of the Field station’s production system

Conversely, research efforts at the agricultural field station have established a production system for the animal similar to that of rabbit production and other small ruminants. The aim is to facilitate a timely value chain that will provide the meat to the public which is in high demand. Although micro chipping animals is not a novel idea, establishment of an entirely new option in meat production is. Using the technology, researchers are able to communicate and record important data such as genealogy, size and growth rate which will then support research activity. Despite this interesting precedent, researchers face issues in acquiring the necessary funding for continued and further investigate work.

Tech4agri would not be the same without a constant update of the latest technological applications which can be found in today’s world. As we all know mobile applications lead the way in development making it’s way into every field imaginable. For developing countries this maybe a setback as although mobile phone penetration is widespread and commonplace, the network infrastructure necessary to physically utilize mobile apps may not be as up to date as it should be.

However, there is certainly no harm in being aware of what exists. In addition there are many other outlets that can be of use almost anywhere. Simple databases and other online resources such as tech4agri itself is readily available. Here is your update on what’s out there:

The Leftover swap app

Leftover Swap is an application that seeks to reduce food wastage. In many developed countries large portions of food are served at all types of food outlets. However much of it is thrown away going to wast. “The app. that is expected to launch later this month. will let users barter or give away their unwanted restaurant remainders. Users who don’t want their leftovers will snap a photo of their food and post it to the app, then anyone in the area can arrange a pick up or delivery.” At the same time it brings a social aspect to food exchange in that you are able to meet potential “food takers and food givers” through the development of a community. One major red flag that I have observed is the issue of health and food safety. Only time will tell how the creators of this app will tackle this issue.