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List of participants in the CAIS Working Group

CAIS Summary Draft Project Proposal Comments

Introduction:
Accepted.

Emphasize: Farmers

Add: Businesses (small and large)

Specific problems:

Strengthen statistics unit in data collection activities including support for developing systems, equipment (computers) and transportation support for data collection activities.

Support for statistical analysis/forecasting

Direct need for information on market prices for farmers. Prices of input supplies. Tariff and non-tariff barriers to trade. Other trade legislation, customs procedures, list of exporters and importers, socio-economic data; specific legislation for the information and telecommunications sector.

Improve quantity and currency of local data and information.

More dissemination of technical information is necessary.

Support for publication/dissemination of statistics and information.

Training support in responding to users needs (currently the Ministry of Agriculture has limited resources and mechanisms to disseminate information on request by users).

Goal
Accepted.

Objectives
Accepted.

Results
Accepted.

Assumptions

The group pointed out that the following assumptions were of concern to Belize:

The list of potential members suggested for Belize was: -

It was agreed that the list was not exhaustive but the committee will begin with this group and later invite other relevant groups as necessary.

It was also noted that it was not desirable to have a large group and specific terms of reference will be prepared for selecting members. However, it will focus on groups which collect and disseminate information relevant to agriculture.

Responsibilities of National Hubs

Add: Function as the national contact point.

National Hub

The Belize Chamber of Commerce was elected to be the National Hub, to be coordinated by Narda Garcia. However, a small committee comprising the Chamber of Commerce, the Ministry of Agriculture, and TIPS was elected to form a core group. The Chamber was selected since they currently have funding and are better equipped to disseminate information and defray costs associated with coordinating CAIS at the local level.

To develop mechanisms to ensure coordination and continuity in the network

To develop a strategy to reach small farmers as well as the agri-business sector.

The Regional Information Centre needs to recognize that small business is not adequately supplied with information.

Joint Activities
Accepted.

National Agricultural Information Networks

Concern was expressed for the following with respect to the national information networks:

The Belize participants were adamant and stressed the need for the inclusion of equipment and working capital in any project for the development of a Caribbean Agricultural Information Service. Technical assistance cannot be utilized in the absence of these factors.

The RIC should consider the importance of education programmes to let people know how this will help.

Belize would wish to know from the inventory, who are the key players in the industry and what they want.

They suggested finding out what information people are interested in and the needs identified would assist in project identification.

Belize was particularly interested in capacity-building type projects.

There was a need to strengthen the information services in community organizations.

Training in upgrading training in information management and

Belize was interested in participating in the CAIS project and would be willing to be a pilot.

The focal group consisting of the Chamber of Commerce, TIPS, and Ministry of Agriculture would have a meeting on 20 July 1998 to discuss the following:-

Representatives designated to work on the CAIS Programme are as follows:

Mr. Praham, and Jose Castellanos will represent the Ministry of Agriculture while other groups will name their representatives at a later date.

Belize would send a report to CARDI by 3 August 1998, subject to elections being held.

Contact Person:

Ms. Narda Garcia

C. de Freitas
IRM (Ag.)
July 1998

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