MIOACARIBBEAN COUNTRY ASSESSMENT

John Van DykeInternational Market Information Development

Caribbean CountriesWide Range of Programs

ManagementTrade Within Caribbean Region and U.S.Deficient TrainingPolicies and ProceduresUnderdeveloped IT Programs

Caribbean ProfileWide Range of ProgramsManagement and SupervisionData Collection Deficiencies

Reporter TrainingPolicies and ProceduresStandards and/or Terminology

DisseminationInformation Technology

Guyana Management

Guyana Marketing Corporation General Manager Program Manager

Supervision Program Manager

Data Collection Regional Offices Review Conducted on a Regular Basis Grades and Standards

Data Management Excel Spreadsheets & D-base IV Historical Data

Dissemination Limited Dissemination Lack of Widespread Knowledge of Program

GuyanaRecommendations:

Review supervisory structure to provide more direct supervision to reporters.  Establish and conduct a formal reporter training program.  Develop a reporter handbook establishing clearly defined policies and procedures.   Collect market information based on product quality standards or terminology.  Establish backup system for IT programs.  Improve and update website and publish current price information on a scheduled

basis.   Obtain feedback and explain the MIS program to producers and other industry

members.

Trinidad &TobagoManagement

Strong Support and UnderstandingSupervision

Well Developed and DefinedData Collection

Excellent Procedures and PoliciesData Management

In-house Developed IT systemDissemination

Broad Based User Friendly Web Site Wide Distribution

Trinidad and Tobago Recommendations: Establish a reporter assessment and

refresher course including standards review to maintain reporter expertise.

Maintain and enhance the expertise of the IT section.

GrenadaProgram Approval In Planning CommissionManagement

Basic Concepts Development Plan and Knowledge Industry Stakeholders

Industry StakeholdersSupportiveOwn Agenda

GrenadaRecommendations:

Establish market information program in Ministry of Agriculture

 Identify markets and/or marketing points to

report

St. LuciaProgram in Development Stage

Established Program ManagerStrong Industry Support

Data CollectionReview Data Currently SubmittedMarket Participants

St. LuciaRecommendations:

Focus on program development. Include Stakeholders in planning and

development stage.

BelizeManagement

Ministry of AgricultureBeltraide

SupervisionExtension Service

Data CollectionStudent Reporters

Data Management and DisseminationBeltraide

BelizeRecommendations:Establish Program In Ministry of Agriculture Address Student data collection and

Extension Service Employees to collect data.Develop reporter training program to include

quality identification and designationDevelop reporter handbook on policies and

procedures to collect, analyze, and aggregate data

JamaicaManagement

Divided between Agencies Rural Agriculture Development Authority MOA Data Bank Strong, Dedicated, Knowledgeable

Supervision Not Clearly Defined

Data Collection Too Large and Wide Spread to Manage

Data Management ABIS MOADB Trinidad and Tobago

Dissemination All Methods Under Consideration

JamaicaRecommendations: Clearly define the management structure for the program so all staff

members and reporters are fully aware of the duties and responsibilities.

 Establish data base to manage data collection, aggregation, and

dissemination in MOADB. Recommendations by NAMDEVCO should be considered including their assistance.

 Establish reporter training and testing program. Develop reporter handbook on policies and procedures  

HaitiProgram in Development StageFundingNGOsProgram Manager KnowledgeData Collection

Many Agencies InvolvedMinistry of TradeStatistics

HaitiRecommendations:

Establish MIS in MOA at Sustainable Level Concentrate on farmgate price reporting  Establish a reporter training program Develop a reporter’s handbook establishing reporting

policies and procedures

Strengths and WeaknessGuyanaStrength:Management commitment to programManagement understands the requirements for the

program, but lacks the time to stay fully engaged in the program

Weakness:Data collection proceduresReporter trainingStandards, grades, or uniform terminologyData ManagementDissemination

Strengths and WeaknessTrinidad and TobagoStrength:Management and supervisory structureReporter trainingCollection proceduresUniform standards and terminologyData managementDisseminationWeakness:None Identified

Strengths and WeaknessGrenada Strength:Commitment to establish program and support from

MinistrySupport from industry stakeholders for programWeakness:Planning Commission approval time periodLack of detailed program development planIndustry stakeholders could have their own agenda

on MIS development  

Strengths and WeaknessSt. LuciaStrength:Commitment and support by management

and the MinistryIndustry stakeholder request and support for

MIS programWeakness:Lack of fully development program structureDevelopment time frame

Strengths and WeaknessBelizeStrength:Dedication and support by BeltraideWeakness:Organizational StructureReporter expertiseReporter training programSustainability in present design

Strengths and WeaknessJamaica Strength:MOA supportManagement, but needs structureDiversity of reporting pointsData collection plansWeakness:Reporter trainingData managementReporter training

Strengths and WeaknessHaitiStrength:MOA support for programProgram manager has good concepts on how

the program should be organized and managed

Weakness:Program structure SustainabilityReporter training program