Purdue Extension Educators Molly Hoag and Abigail Creigh recently traveled to Trinidad to provide technical assistance to cocoa farmers in the Tri-Valley Cluster as part of the John Ogonowski and Doug Bereuter Farmer-to-Farmer Program. The program is funded by USAID and connects farmers from different parts of the world to share their expertise and knowledge.
The Tri-Valley Cluster is a group of farmers, agro-processors, and rural community development activists from the North-Eastern regions of Trinidad, who are focused on leading and facilitating the development of rural community agribusiness. Specifically, the group wanted to learn how to make baking flour from root crops and tubers such as cassava, dasheen, and sweet potato grown on their farms, to help diversify their agribusinesses and increase their profitability during non-cocoa bearing seasons.
Molly and Abigail provided training to ten members of the Tri-Valley Cluster, teaching them about food preservation and processing, as well as how to be more sustainable in profits for food products they grow. The farmers learned new techniques for making baking flour, allowing them to provide new products for allergy sensitivities and use local products instead of costly wheat imports. This knowledge will help the Tri-Valley members improve their agribusinesses and ensure adherence to international standards in terms of agro-processing techniques.
Through the Farmer-to-Farmer program, Purdue Extension Educators are able to share their expertise and knowledge with farmers in other parts of the world, helping to empower them to be more successful in their agribusinesses. The program not only benefits the farmers, but also helps to build stronger international relationships and improve global agriculture.
Photo Credit: United States Agency International Development
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