These knowledge products are:
- A Training Manual on Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture
- A Training Manual on Aquaculture for Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS) – Improving Water-Related Food Production Systems in Caribbean SIDS
Training Manual on Water Use Efficiency in Agriculture
This new Training Manual on Water Use Efficiency (WUE) in Agriculture, aims to build capacity for improved water management and productivity in the sector. The publication builds on a 2011 Training Manual for WUE in the Agriculture Sector, which was developed by GWP-C with the support of Caribbean WaterNet.
The drafting of the manual was coordinated by Caribbean WaterNet (Cap-Net UNDP), The Faculty of Food and Agriculture of The UWI St. Augustine Campus, in partnership with GWP-C. The lead author of the manual is Dr. Gaius Eudoxie, Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, UWI St. Augustine, with co-authors Bryan Smith, Jaye Thompson and Joseph Lucas. Input for its development was provided by Dr. Ronald Roopnarine (Lecturer in the Faculty of Food and Agriculture, UWI St. Augustine & Network Manager of Caribbean WaterNet) and Ms. Simone Lewis, Regional Coordinator of the GWP-C. The Training Manual offers various learning objectives and aims to:
- Demonstrate the benefits of improved Water Use Efficiency (WUE).
- Provide examples of demand calculation models for WUE in the agriculture sector.
- Demonstrate methodologies for assessing the economic benefits of improved WUE.
- Explain the potential impacts of climate change on water resources use in the sector.
- Initiate discussions at management levels that will make provisions for the adaptation of WUE measures.
- Foster discussions on retrofitting the industry with WUE devices.
The new knowledge product consists of six (6) modules which cover the following topics:
Module 1: Water Resources, Climate Change and Use Efficiency
Module 2: Crop Water Use
Module 3: Irrigation Technologies
Module 4: Irrigation Scheduling and Monitoring Technologies
Module 5: Crop Husbandry and Water Use Efficiency
Module 6: Agricultural Water Management and Alternative Production Systems
Training Slides covering all six (6) modules have also been produced to accompany the manual. These slides can be accessed here.
Training Manual on Aquaculture for Caribbean Small Island Developing States
The Training Manual on Aquaculture for Caribbean Small Island Developing States (SIDS), aims to build capacity for improving water-related food production systems in the Caribbean.
Drafting of the manual was coordinated by Caribbean WaterNet (Cap-Net UNDP), The Faculty of Food and Agriculture of UWI St. Augustine in partnership with the GWP-C. The author of the publication is Dr. Ryan S. Mohammed (Lecturer in the MSc Programme in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development in the Caribbean, UWI St. Augustine). Input for the development of the training manual was also provided by Dr. Ronald Roopnarine (Faculty of Food and Agriculture & Caribbean WaterNet).
It is within the culture of citizens of Caribbean Islands to consume seafood. It is this culture that has led to wide diversification of seafood types and dishes. However, it is this culture of consuming what seemed to be a never-ending supply of seafood, that has led to increased fishing efforts and simultaneous decreased catches and profits. Overfishing, challenges with inter-island management of fish stock, habitat loss, climate change and increased severity and frequency of adverse weather conditions, have all contributed to the Caribbean’s dwindling seafood stocks.
Caribbean Small Island States import approximately 50% of all seafood consumed. This is not sustainable for the Caribbean, as our food security and food sovereignty is in jeopardy. This is where sustainable aquaculture with sound green implementation, can promote the Caribbean’s future place in the Blue Economy. The manual seeks to provide the initial stages of information for the Caribbean Aquaculturist to not only start and operate a successful facility, but also build an aquaculture sector within Caribbean SIDS.
The sectors for each island would be different as conditions, customs and resources would vary island to island. Additionally, the publication provides information, guidance and options for the Caribbean Aquaculturist.
The manual covers eight (8) modules on the following areas:
Module 1: Choice of Species
Module 2: System Selection
Module 3: Site Selection
Module 4: Hatchery Design and Management
Module 5: Grow-Out Management
Module 6: Stock Harvesting and Processing
Module 7: Water Budgeting and Production Waste Management
Module 8: Budgeting and Cash Flow Management
This Manual also has accompanying training slides, covering all modules, which can be accessed here.
Both knowledge products will be used as a training tool in the Caribbean and act as both a participant handbook and facilitator’s guide.
About the Collaborating Organisations
Caribbean WaterNet (Cap-Net UNDP)
The mission of Caribbean WaterNet is to promote sustainable Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) of the Caribbean: “Ensuring a future by learning in the present.” Caribbean WaterNet focuses on building institutional and technical capacity of Caribbean SIDS as it relates to IWRM by increasing resilience of vulnerable populations across the region. It develops and administers training programmes, workshops, awareness initiatives and outreach concepts tailored to suit the Caribbean context.
Faculty of Food and Agriculture, The University of the West Indies (UWI), St. Augustine
The Faculty of Food and Agriculture (The UWI St. Augustine) focuses on agricultural progress, sustainable food production, improving food security in the region, increasing the environmental knowledge base of its members and thereby improving the quality of the lives of those touched by its work. With its relevant research and wide range of undergraduate and graduate offerings in agriculture, agribusiness, food and nutrition, geography and related areas, the Faculty is poised to make a significant contribution.
Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C)
"A Water Secure Caribbean" is the vision of the Global Water Partnership-Caribbean (GWP-C). It works to achieve this by supporting Caribbean countries in the sustainable development and management of their water resources by promoting Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Together with its over 114 Partners in the Caribbean, GWP-C works with them to advocate, build capacity, communicate knowledge, build partnerships and mobilise multi-stakeholder groups to foster and sustain IWRM in the Caribbean.