Research into Livestock Production Systems in the Caribbean

Animal production is an important aspect of the lives and wellbeing of the Caribbean peoples but is accorded far less than adequate recognition. Technological advances in several areas of animal production have resulted from local research activities working against institutional, physical, financial and human constraints. Agricultural research in general and livestock research in particular enjoys a low priority for funding and staffing and at the moment research activities are at sub-optimal levels. It is argued that• research and development activities in livestock need to be supported through funding and staffing of regional and national research institutions; that while individual disciplines have been the main focus in the past, attention should turn to the building of multidisciplinary teams working together on common problems and utilising modern equipment. Consolidating the achievements of the twentieth century and developing systems appropriate to the twenty-first century should now be a priority in the area of livestock research in the Caribbean.