Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
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of agricultural drought plays a significant role. Agricultural drought mon-
itoring in the region is largely carried out by agricultural ministries in each
territory and relies on collating and monitoring both rainfall and agricul-
tural production indices. Drought mitigation strategies generally encom-
pass sensitizing agricultural producers to ongoing drought and teaching
water retention strategies, providing drought assistance in the form of wa-
ter, or providing agricultural necessities to rehabilitate the farmer after a
devastating drought. The mitigation strategies are largely responsive rather
than proactive.
Only a few regional entities such as the Caribbean Institute for Me-
teorology and Hydrology (
http://inaccs.com.bb/carimet/top.htm)
and The
Climate Studies Group Mona of the University of the West Indies
(http://
www.mona.uwi.edu/physics/Research/csg/index.htm)
are actively involved
in such endeavors, and their research is in the early stages. Encouragement
of such research efforts in addition to other research investigating links
between climate and crop yields would enable the development of truly
proactive drought monitoring and mitigation system for the West Indies.
Though few West Indian territories possess such a plan, the Jamaican gov-
ernment provides a model for the structure and potential use of such a plan.
Finally, we note that the potential exists for the use of crop models and Ge-
ographical Information Systems (GIS) to assist in drought monitoring and
management. Neither of these tools are currently employed on a significant
scale in the territories of the West Indies.
[154
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AC
KNOWLEDGMENTS Worthy Park data were obtained from the Sugar Research
In
stitute, Mandeville, Jamaica, through A. Amarakoon of the physics department,
Un
iversity of the West Indies. We thank C. Thompson of the Ministry of Agricul-
ture (Jamaica;
http://www.moa.gov.jm)
for many useful discussions.
[154
References
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lix, F. 1977. Effect of rainfall on cane yield at Frome. J. Jamaica Assoc. Sugar
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Planning Institute. 2000. Value of agricultural exports, 1995-2000. Economic and
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Pulwarty, R.S., J. Eischeid, and H. Pulwarty. 2001. The impact of El Niño on
rainfall and sugar production in Trinidad. In: Proceedings of the West Indies
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