Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agribusiness Agricultural chains Agricultural markets Agriculture Agroindustry Competitiveness Knowledge management Rural development Trade

IICA strengthens the coffee sector in Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

 

Training was based on successful experiences of Costa Rica and Jamaica

Technicians from Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines during a visit to Finca Arias in Costa Rica.

San Jose, 5 September 2018 (IICA). The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) recently completed the second phase of a project that provided technical support to the ministries of Agriculture in Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, as reported by the specialized agency of the Inter-American System for rural development. The Institute assisted in developing the commercial and production capabilities of technical specialists and producers of the coffee sector in the two countries.

IICA launched the project in 2016 in response to the countries’ request for advice regarding the feasibility of coffee production in each country.

The technical advisory reports provided the countries with recommendations on the development of coffee as a commercial product, based on the understanding that this would involve long-term investment in matters related to production and knowledge building among interested groups in all areas of the production process.

During the second phase of the project, delegations from the ministries of Agriculture, accompanied by IICA personnel, carried out visits to Jamaica and Costa Rica in order to study the operation and several components of the value chain.

Two technical specialists from Saint Vincent and the Grenadines visited Jamaica, where they interacted with chain stakeholders involved in industry governance. A delegation from Dominica conducted a similar visit.

Additionally, six technical specialists from both countries visited Costa Rica to study the operation of the coffee industry. They toured coffee propagation nurseries, coffee research facilities, coffee farms of varying sizes and with different farming system approaches, and plants where coffee berries are processed for domestic and external markets.

The technical specialists also learned about barism, a highly specialized practice used to evaluate coffee cup quality.

The final activity of the second phase of the project involved the delivery of two commercial coffee varieties to the ministries of Agriculture in both countries, in order to conduct research under local climatic conditions.

Dominica and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines have highlighted IICA’s efforts to support the coffee sector and have expressed interest in receiving further support.

More information:

Michael Dalton, IICA Technical Specialist in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines.

Kent Coipel, IICA Technical Specialist in Dominica.

michael.dalton@iica.int

kent.coipel@iica.int

Share

Related news​

Delegados y autoridades agrícolas durante la Semana de la Agricultura del Caribe (CWA), en San Cristóbal y Nieves, participando en la firma de acuerdos y fortalecimiento de la cooperación regional para enfrentar la peste porcina africana y mejorar la sanidad agropecuaria.

Basseterre, San Cristóbal y Nievas

October 3, 2025

IICA Director General calls for deeper solidarity and joint action in the Caribbean in the face of African swine fever, which threatens the livelihoods of farmers and their families

Regional solidarity and coordinated action among countries are indispensable to address the threat of African swine fever, which, if it were to spread in the Caribbean, could have devastating consequences, stated IICA Director General Manuel Otero during Caribbean Week of Agriculture (CWA).

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Basseterre, San Cristóbal y Nieves

October 3, 2025

Argentina Deepens Agricultural Cooperation with the Caribbean at CWA 2025

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

Basseterre, Saint Kitts and Nevis

October 3, 2025

IICA Director General presents awards to two young rural entrepreneurs from Saint Kitts and Nevis during Caribbean Week of Agriculture

The individuals honored are Akiesha Fergus and Ryan Khadou, two passionate farmers who have demonstrated by their example that agricultural production can be a great way of life for the new generations.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins