resistance to lodging and insect pests. The roughage shortage during dry seasons was solved
through improving the forage value of local guinea grass that grows as a weed everywhere. An ap-
plication of 30 pounds nitrogen per acre improved the yield 1.5 times, with 4% higher digestible
proteins. We invited a U.S. company to come here to try bailing guinea grass, an endeavor which
proved to be highly successful. These may not look like sophisticated technologies, but they pro-
duced problem-solving results.
Agricultural Diversification
 We explored the possibilities of growing grapes in the Virgin Islands, since only an intensive
crop with high income possibilities could prove profitable in such a location with high land value
and costly labor. With the introduction of tropical cultivars and proper vine management, en-
couraging results have been achieved. However, additional testing is needed before profitability
can be determined. There are many other crops that can be explored for possible commercial pro-
duction.
 According to Dr. Noel Vietmeyer of the National Academy of Sciences, of the 80,000 species of
 edible plants in the world, there are only 100 we grow to any reasonable extent and understand
 scientifically. And of those 100 crops, only 20 to 22, most initially domesticated in the Stone Age,
 basically feed the world. Rice, wheat and corn account for the bulk of calories and protein eaten.
 No new major crop has been domesticated in 10,000 years. Dr. Ferguson of the University of the
 West Indies echoed similar feelings through his paper entitled, "Some Underexploited Crops in
 the Caribbean" presented at the seminar on agricultural research and small farm productions held
 in Jamaica in December 1982. The participants at that seminar recommended that an agricultural
 development effort in the Caribbean emphasize the proper utilization of existing technology,
 create or adapt new technology when needed, and transfer this technology in the most effective
 manner to the small farmers of the region.
 Another enterprise with a tremendous potential for enhancing food production in the Carib-
 bean is aquaculture. In the Virgin Islands we have studied three methods of tilapia culture.
 Tilapia, a tropical, freshwater, food fish, is easily cultured in a wide range of systems. The culture
 of tilapia in cages is the best method in areas with existing farm ponds. This method promotes
 multiple use of a resource that is often under-utilized and allows diversification of a farming
 operation. Pond culture is the best method in areas with a good source of water. It involves the
 construction of shallow ponds that can be drained for harvesting. Pond culture of tilapia can be
 readily integrated into a farming operation. Tilapia, a filter feeding fish that prefers vegetable pro-
 tein, will grow well on agricultural by-products and animal manure. The nutrient enriched water
 of fish ponds is ideal for irrigating crops. A third method being explored consists of a series of
 tanks in which the fish cultured water is continually purified and reused. This is a closed recir-
 culating system whose by-products include sludge which can be used for composting and high
 waste nutrient levels that can be used as a nutrient source for vegetable hydroponics.
 Market Identification and Development
 A fundamental component of increased production of traditional crops or the development of
under-exploited crops, is the assurance that markets exist or are being developed to accommodate
such production. While developing marketing strategies in the Caribbean, overemphasis is given
to export, and tremendous local markets are left open for importers. In some countries, what is
produced is exported and what is consumed is imported. In the majority of cases, something has to
be exported to keep a balance-of-payment, and agricultural commodities are the only items
available for export. In the Virgin Islands, many years ago, we thought of developing 'Solo' papaya
production for shipping to mainland markets. Our commissioner of agriculture took a sample to
New York City and received an open offer from a broker to accept all that we could produce.
When the story hit the newspapers, telephones started ringing. The manager of Caneel Bay Hotel
on St. John questioned the need to ship to New York when he was importing large quantities of
'Solo' papayas for his guests.
 Of course, we realize that as part of the U.S. we do not have to worry about balance-of-
payment. In the case of other Caribbean nations, the Caribbean Basin Initiative has offered duty
free access, since January 1984, to U.S. markets for certain goods produced in the Caribbean. I
participated in a recent Agricultural Marketing Workshop for the Caribbean Basin held in Miami,
Florida and observed a strong interest by U.S. importers to find out what agricultural commodities
they can expect from the Caribbean. Development of much needed infrastructure for storage and
processing of local foods is another avenue to explore in market development.
Human Resource Development
 Development and transfer of technology at local levels is vital to any drive to modernize and
diversify agriculture in the Caribbean. No matter how much money is invested in the agriculture
sector, success or failure ultimately depends on the strength and development of human resource.
It is imperative that, while innovative technologies are explored for use in the Caribbean, the most
essential resource, the human factor, also be developed. Without it there can be no conversion of
knowledge to technology, no translation of technology to productivity, and no application of pro-
ductivity to an improved quality of life. In December, 1983, I participated in a UNICA-sponsored
workshop on teaching agriculture and was impressed with the recommendations made by the
group. I hope their recommendations can be implemented.


VOL. XX-PROCEEDINGS of the CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY