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Research and product development issues in the Caribbean food industry |
L. D. WICKHAM, Dept. of Food Production, Univ. of the West Indies, Faculty of Sciences & Agriculture, Saint Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago It is widely accepted that the development of a viable agro-processing industry is one of the best ways to ensure the survival of the food production sector in the Region in the light of increasing globalization and the threat of loss of markets through the importation of lower-priced commodities. However, important constraints to the expansion of the agro-processing industry exist. These include the quality and quantity of the raw material available, the availability of equipment and appropriate infrastructure, the level of technical knowledge, lack of funding for research and development activities, absence of appropriate backward linkages, the high cost of international certification as well as the lack of capacity for certification at the national level. Additionally, on a regional basis, there is a shortage of trained personnel with respect to the needs of the sector. Among the more critical deficiencies is that of researchers to assist the sector in keeping pace with the growing demand for high-quality value-added commodities suited for domestic as well as international markets. Most of the research investigations are conducted by regional universities and other public sector organizations with assistance from international donor agencies in many cases. However, research investigations often are not well-funded nor are they consistently linked to specific client needs. Further, the research effort is essentially uncoordinated and there is inadequate mechanism in place to disseminate research findings throughout the sector. While some larger agro-processing operations conduct product development research, many small-scale establishments are dependent on imported innovations. Despite some marked successes, these issues limit regional product development and there is no doubt that future developments must target the increase in high-value export opportunities. This paper identifies key factors that exist in the sector as well as the strategies that are necessary to this end.
Session 4, Critical issues in the Caribbean food industry
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