News

CAGRI Leads in Innovative Agricultural Transformation

27 September 2024

Two pervasive plants are poised to make a significant contribution to scientific discovery in Barbados, that could lead to revolutionary outcomes in nutraceutical and other potency applications as well as functional foods.
 
Annato (Bixa Orellana), a tropical shrub native to the Americas, and the well-known aloe vera will feature prominently in research at an agricultural project at Dukes, St Thomas.  The research is being conducted by the University of the West Indies at Cave Hill’s Centre for Agricultural Research and Innovation (CAGRI) in collaboration with its Department of Biological and Chemical Sciences located at the campus’ Faculty of Science and Technology, and the Faculty of Medical Sciences.
 
The project marks a significant leap in the region’s research into nutraceuticals and botanical medicines, positioning Barbados as a leader in sustainable agricultural, innovation, and immersive educational opportunities for students.
 
The initiative involves using Annatto, which is renowned for its economic and industrial value, as a perimeter crop on the land.  Its seeds contain the natural pigment bixin, responsible for its vivid red-orange hue, widely used as a natural colorant in food and cosmetic industries.  The choice of Annatto is not just practical; its distinct appearance will make it an unmistakable feature of the Dukes landscape. With 100 Annatto plants spaced along a 14-acre perimeter, this crop will serve as a symbolic marker of the land’s new direction while contributing to the exploration of nutraceutical applications and industrial use.
 
Aloe vera will also be established at Dukes in a project involving its scientific investigation to determine the most suitable varieties for applications in industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and categories of functional foods.  This research aims to match aloe varieties with optimal uses, enhancing the value of Barbados’ production of Aloe and positioning the island at the forefront of Aloe research.
 
UWI students will also have an opportunity to work directly in the field, as part of an immersive learning experience.  Students from the ECOL 3463 Tropical Crop Ecology course are participating hands-on in the establishment and management of crops at Dukes. Their involvement spans the entire process – from land preparation and planting to ongoing cultivation, soil testing, and pest management.  This dynamic, field-based learning environment allows students to apply classroom knowledge to real-world agricultural challenges, including germination trials, crop maintenance, and post-harvest processing.  Practical activities also include monitoring plant growth, assessing soil conditions, and experimenting with innovative mulching techniques to optimise crop yield and quality.
 
In addition to providing critical hands-on learning experiences for students, CAGRI’s Dukes project serves as a living laboratory for researchers.  The project fosters collaborative research between UWI and local stakeholders, exploring the potential of botanical medicines and nutraceuticals. Annatto, Aloe vera, and other medicinal plants being cultivated at the site will undergo rigorous scientific study for their therapeutic properties and commercial applications, contributing to the advancement of pharmaceuticals, functional foods, and natural cosmetics.
 
Moreover, the project aligns with CAGRI’s mission to create sustainable agricultural solutions while engaging with local communities.  Partnerships with farmers and stakeholders are integral to the project, ensuring that research outcomes translate into real-world benefits, not only for Barbados but for the wider Caribbean region.
 
Dr. Michele Singh, Director of CAGRI emphasises, “This initiative marks a new era for agricultural research at UWI. The opportunity to transform Dukes Agricultural Land into a hub of innovation in agribusiness, nutraceuticals, and education is unprecedented.  The potential for students to gain practical skills, for researchers to push the boundaries of knowledge, and for Barbados to lead the region in sustainable, modern agriculture is immense.”
 
The Dukes Agricultural Land project is poised to become a model of how academia, research, and agriculture can merge to address both local and global challenges.  From advancing medicinal plant research to empowering the next generation of agricultural scientists, this initiative is a beacon of progress and possibility for the region.
 

Return to all news