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Report on National Consultation
Jamaica
5 August, 1998
List of participants in the CAIS Working Group:-
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CARDI Staff |
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Joseph Lindsay Soil Scientist |
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Francis Asiedu Animal Nutritionist |
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Dionne Clarke-Harris Entomologist |
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Albert Fearon Animal Productionist |
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Peta-Gaye Powell Research Assistant |
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Julian Seaton Agronomist
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Sonia Harris Plant Protection Office, Ministry of Agriculture, Bodles
Research Station |
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Basil Been Coconut Industry Board |
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Thomas Wilson Coconut Industry Board |
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Paul Jennings Ministry of Agriculture |
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Florence Young Ministry of Agriculture |
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Joe Suah Ministry of Agriculture |
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Hyacinth Chin Sue IICA |
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Eulit Pinnock Antilles Chemicals |
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Cleve Battick Scientific Research Council
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Chairperson/Facilitator: Claudette de Freitas |
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Rapporteur: Joseph Lindsay |
CAIS Summary Draft Project Proposal Comments
Introduction
Accepted.
Beneficiaries
Accepted.
Problems to be addressed
The following problem was added for Jamaica
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Lack of information policies at the national and regional level |
However the following problems were highlighted:-
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Lack of coordination among organizations |
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Lack of strategic marketing programme |
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Limited resources for processing information – particularly limited
resources for managing information |
Goal
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Change the word "plant" to "infrastructure" to avoid
ambiguity. |
Results
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For the Regional Information Centre, specify that it is a regional
coordinating point |
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Apart from National Directories of agricultural data sets, there was also
a concern for ensuring a link to international directories of data sets, not
only local data sets. |
Assumptions
Add the following assumptions:-
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Adequate security for information systems (to protect sensitive data and
encourage participation) |
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Instead of "low turn-over of staff" – include "Build
local sustainability" which would include ensuring adequate staff, as
well as developing the system and management to support the sustainabillity. |
Elements of CAIS Structure
The list of potential members suggested for Jamaica was: -
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Potential Hubs [Lists] (N.B. Peta-Gaye please refer to e-mail of 18 August
1998 for lists) |
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Potential Network members [List] |
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Partner Institutions |
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Regional Information Centre [CARDI HQ]. |
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.
Responsibilities of National Hubs
Accepted.
National Hub
Refer to list from Jamacia
Responsibilities of the Regional Information Centre
Accepted.
Joint Activities
Accepted.
Other concerns, issues, and suggestions
Noted in other areas.
General Recommendations
Noted in other areas.
Proposed Project Activities
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Add a financing plan to resource projects and for sustainability e.g.
market research and pricing of products. |
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Look at a mechanism for formalizing arrangements for network members. |
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Jamaica strongly urged that they become a pilot. |
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Include the development of a financing plan and sub-projects to facilitate
implementation in the activities. |
Participants recognized that the CAIS Programme will be established over a
five-year period. Although it is anticipated that CAIS will be a permanent
feature.
Follow-up Action
CARDI HQ
- Information Resource Manager will forward a copy of a form letter which
can be adapted for Jamaica, to allow sensitization of the agricultural
community about CAIS by Monday 10 August, 1998.
CARDI Jamaica
- The CARDI Jamaica office will expand the list of potential members
developed and send the letter about CAIS to the potential members.
- The CARDI office will initiate developing a plan for the inventory
exercise and for participation as a pilot in CAIS.
Contact Person:
Ms Peta Gaye-Powell is the contact person for PROCICARIBE and will also
function as contact person for CAIS.
C. de Freitas
IRM (Ag.)
August 1998 | 
