Three (3) Cuban Officials visited the island from Thursday January 29 – February 3, 2009 as a follow-up visit to a diagnostic mission which took place in April 2008 under a joint Jamaica/Cuba collaboration agreement signed by the two Ministers of Agriculture in 2008.  The diagnostic mission in April 2008 identified the following areas of collaboration – soil and water use, protected, semi-protected and open-field cultivation of vegetables, production of cassava and other tubers and veterinary services.

The three officials who were here were:
Maria Spencer Blake (MSc in Animal Production/Agricultural Engineer) specializing in Agricultural Engineering.
Osvaldo Pelaéz Padilla (MSc Agricultural Engineer) specializing in Agro-extension Systems, Plant Health, Grass and Forages, and
Greco Cid Lazo (Ph.D. Agricultural Science Engineer) specializing in irrigation and drainage, soil physics and extension.

The purpose of their visit was to observe and concretize the areas for technical assistance to the Agricultural Extension Service by visiting small farmers on their farms and having dialogue with them and the extension officers.

As a result, visits were made to farms in St. Elizabeth and Manchester, Research Stations and some government offices.

Areas of emphasis discussed and outlined for the development of specific programmes for continued collaboration include:

1)    Training of Extension Officers in Extension Methodology/Strategies.
2)    Greenhouse Management at low elevations.
3)    Animal and plant health (use of biological agents) and genetic preservation.
4)    Drainage and irrigation – designs and usage.
5)    Soil Management