... professionalism in agriculture!

Crops cannot grow and develop without sunlight, water, air and
nutrients. The agriculture sector will not progress in the absence of
true professionalism in all those involved in its development process.
This professionalism must exist at the levels: among producers; their
service providers, including extension, input suppliers, marketers and
researchers; and policy makers. This i-bulletin examines the need for
us to look inward, at our own professionalism, as we each play our part
promoting a wider
and how our collective roles affect the development of the sector. Just
appreciation of
information and as agriculture is rooted in the soil, agricultural development is
knowledge rooted in professionalism.
management for
agricultural In a casual conversation with a Wine Engineer from West Germany on
development vacation in the Caribbean prior to the reunification of Germany, I (Naitram)
generally and
specifically,
asked “what is the difference between East and West Germany, with respect
support for the to wine making?” Her response was “in the East they are not professional and
IICA/CTA consequently they are not very efficient”. I asked her to elaborate and she
MEAgrISys project. explained that in her visits to wineries in the East, (prior to reunification) the
attitude was not one of getting the job done. She explained that as an
engineer, if she needed a part to repair machinery to maintain optimum
#4 of 2007 production and the person responsible for procurement was unable to do it in
a timely manner, she would go out and get it. On the contrary, her
a collaborative effort counterpart in the East would wait until the procurement person gets the
of: part - in the meantime production suffers. This example was used to
Naitram Ramnanan demonstrate the primary purpose of professionalism "getting the job done, in
CaRAPN Member a timely manner and based on accepted standards". Professionalism is more
and:
than one's educational achievement and training; it has a lot to do with work
Diana Francis attitude and ethics.
Trade Policies and
Negotiations There are some notable examples of agri-food Caribbean companies that have
Programme used professionalism as a critical part of their competitive tool kit and have
IICA Caribbean
successfully penetrated and maintained their space in world markets. Some
Region
popular ones are the Trinidadian Fruta fruit drinks with its Chubby brand that
has been patented internationally and currently being marketed in the
enabled by: Americas, the Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East and the world famous
Technical Angostura Bitters; Jamaica's Grace Kennedy range of agri-food products that
Centre for competes well in the Caribbean and North American Markets; the Guyanese
Agricultural and XM and El Dorado rums that consistently win international awards for their
Rural fine quality. However such success stories of professionalism and innovation
Cooperation
in agriculture are too few and far between. We need more!
(CTA –ACP)

The Views expressed

herein are not necessarily
those of the CTA and IICA
 Information supports Professionalism
The shorter Oxford Dictionary defines professionalism as: 1. Professional quality, character,
method or conduct; the stamp of a particular profession. 2. The position of a professional as
distinct from an amateur.

Professional Quality: is measured by producing a
product or service for the people and purpose for
which it was intended against an international
standard. A professional must have the capacity to
tailor the correct technical information and advice
on growing cabbages to suite the needs of a
housewife with a backyard cabbage plot, an investor
in 5 or more acres of commercially-grown cabbage,
and a Minister of Agriculture who wants to ensure
food security for the nation.
Character: generally describes the way we interact
or relate to others. Professionals must be able to
relate to others in a manner that is conducive to
team work and achieving common goals to enhance
business success.
Method of Conduct: because of their training and
practice, professionals are generally perceived as
leaders. Their actions set the pace and trend that
establishes a business culture and codes of conduct
in society. Strong and effective professionals, who
also have leadership positions, are essential to
support the emergence and growth of strong public
and private sector organizations. Further, self-
regulation is emerging as the best method of
ensuring professionalism.
In the absence of professional associations in the
field of agriculture, guidelines established in other
professional associations, such as medicine, law and
engineering, could prove useful in the agriculture
profession. Also institutions such as the Integrity
Commission, in the case of Trinidad and Tobago
provide guidelines for conduct
(www.integritycommission.org.tt). Some of the key
points relating to the measure of professionalism as
it relates to integrity and transparency are
highlighted because it applies equally to both public
and private sectors.

Perform your functions and administer resources
under your control in an effective and efficient
manner

Be fair and impartial in exercising your duty

Arrange your private interests in such a manner
so as to maintain public confidence and trust in
your integrity

Not use your office for the improper
advancement of your own or your family’s
personal or financial interest or the interest of
any person

Not engage in any transaction that is not related
to your official work

Not use public property or services for activities
not related to your official work

Not, either directly or indirectly, use your office
for private gain

Not use funds under your control in disregard of
the Financial Orders or other regulations
applicable to such funds;

Not accept a fee, gift or personal benefit that is
connected directly or indirectly with the
performance of your duties;

Disclose your interest and disqualify yourself
from any decision making process where there is
a possible or perceived conflict of interest.

The complexity of agricultural development is similar to that of managing human health. Human
health management requires a multi-disciplinary team of doctors, from general practioners, that
deal with preventative medicine and treat routine problems, such as, flu, to specialists that treat
specific diseases, such as, internal medicine, neurology, etc. The team approach in health care, to
diagnose and treat problems is equally important in agriculture, which is an inter-dependent
system. For example, low yields maybe related to a combination of factors, including poor soils.
Hence, soil scientists must be consulted if the team determines poor to be the leading factor. This
expert advice must guide the determination of the solution set and decision-making, collectively,
by the multi-disciplinary agricultural development team.

Is the Agricultural Knowledge and Information System (AKIS) ready to

promote and enable a culture of professionalism?
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 Building Professionalism and AKIS: A Symbiotic Relationship
The concept of professionalism is essential to providing a credible and full set of information in a timely and
effective manner. In this context the AgroMatrix is seen as a viable framework to conceptualize, plan and
measure the progress in agriculture. AgroMatrix was developed through with professionals and leaders in
agriculture from 2001 in a hemispheric-wide dialogue aimed at positioning agriculture issues on the Inter-
American development agenda. It promotes a holistic concept of agricultural development built on two
pillars: sustainable development and systemic participation. The latter is particularly important for
professionals, since they must view their individual perceptions and tailor their training and educational
achievement into decisions and actions that yield positive benefits to society, of which agriculture is an
integral part. Just as other noble professions, eg. - medicine to ensuring the health and wellness of the
society; law to ensuring law and justice prevails; educators to ensuring and educated populace - have a
great responsibility to society, agriculture professionals also have a great responsibility. After all, the
natural environment and the food that it provides are fundamental to our very existence. They must
facilitate and enable the development of entrepreneurship and business ventures that are competitive, and
simultaneously environmentally sound, socially responsible and institutionally ready. It is only by adopting a
'systems approach' that ensures full integration of the four major dimensions of sustainable development,
that the goals of food security and development of non-urban areas can be achieved and sustained.

The AgroMatrix defines the full information set we will need to achieve the goal of
sustainable development. We all have our role in providing that information in the most
professional manner possible!
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Information,
Agriculture and the
Role of
Professionals
The Bigger Picture!
In this new age of powerful competitive
forces in agri-food markets, faltering
public confidence in the Caribbean
agri-food is a clear manifestation of an
erosion of professionalism in
agriculture. The Jagdeo Initiative,
which seeks to revitalize agriculture,
must make 'revitalizing professionalism'
a central focus of the agriculture
community as well.
The Initiative, supported by
development partners, must encourage
and facilitate initiative in redefining a
professional code, if it exists, or
defining ones where it does not, that
includes guiding principles, to enhance
professionalism and practice good
agriculture at all levels, in the same
way that farmers and processors are
required to do, through GAPS, HACCPs,
and other quality assurance
regulations.
Professionalism pertains to the
approach and attitude of those working
at all levels in a sector to ensure the
best use of the resources for the
maximum good of the society. For
example, the fruit-growing region of
Chile always had ideal growing
conditions for fruit production.
However this did not automatically
translate into a success story in terms
of fruit exports. It was only when the
growers, researchers and policy makers
came together and defined some goals
and devised and implemented a
professional plan did the success story
was achieved. Professionalism is also a
challenge of changing mindsets and
attitudes.
“….the general public expects that the
agricultural professionals will seek their
interests in ensuring that policy makers adopt
the right policies to ensure that food security
with respect to availability and affordability
is achieved in the shortest possible time”..
In the small democracies of the Caribbean,
professionals almost have no choice in engaging in
politics, both as active politicians themselves and in
holding politicians accountable. However, given
Caribbean reality of politics and governance and the
small private sector, there has been an unfortunate
“silencing” of the professional voice.
Professional associations are however, gaining in
strength, particularly in academia and the private sector.
This augers well for a gradual improvement in the
quality, character and conduct of professionalism in the
national community generally, with positive spin-off
effects in agriculture. Should this improvement persist
and gain strength, then the result will be much improved
and effective public policy and public institutions
responsible for guiding and facilitating the development
of agriculture. This is the difference between politics and
governance.
Collectively, professionals must influence the
decisions and actions of politicians - essential to good
governance - rather than have their technical decisions
and actions determined by the expediency of politics -
which is a short-term phenomenon. This can only be
achieved by scrupulously sticking to the principles and
the facts at all times, and by effectively communicating
these principles and facts to those that make the final
decision. The dangers of an alternative conduct are very
obvious in our societies and communities. The most
startling example is the conversion of prime agricultural
lands across the Caribbean into non-agricultural uses,
which compromises current and future generations' food
security, livelihoods and general well-being.
A functional AKIS is important to enable all of us to
conduct ourselves with the highest level of
professionalism regardless of our role in the agricultural
development process. The viable AKIS has a role to
educate the general public to demand that policy makers
ensure that the agriculture sector is strengthened and
well resourced to provide for our basic level of food
safety and environmental sustainability. The general
public must also support the professionals in the
execution of their various roles, and hold public officers
accountable for their decision and actions. Therefore the
key players of the health, agriculture, manufacturing and
the media and information sectors must come together to
develop an effective information system as a key element
in enhancing professionalism in agriculture!
Pg.4
 ……. an information learning process for a difference!
Information binds all of us in the agricultural development process.
We all play a role in providing key pieces to fill the agriculture
information puzzle. Building that puzzle takes partnerships!

MEAgrISys is a project to build a Monitoring and

The Bottom-Line….
Evaluation Agricultural Information System, for follow-
How else can we stress the importance of
up to the AgroPlan 2015 (a hemispheric initiative) and
information?
the Jagdeo Initiative (a Caribbean region process). It is
funded by the CTA, managed by IICA and depends on Let us count the ways!
genuine partnerships and commitment of all the
interested and affected in agricultural and rural 1. to make good decisions;
development in the region. 2. to strengthen good practices;
3. to continuously develop
MEAgrISys is part of a development process that quality products;
recognizes the importance of information to facilitate 4. to build and expand a satisfied
development. It is being built on the well defined client base;
conceptual framework of the AgroMatrx. 5. to encourage participation and
cooperation.
AgroMatrix promotes a concept of agriculture beyond 6. to empower ourselves
the traditional farm and food and located in rural . . . . . and so on
areas. It advocates a development approach built on
partnerships, full participation, integration and Information exists on all topics, in all media, from all
sustainability. It is built on an expanded concept of perspectives and at all hours! Information helps make
information that goes way beyond statistical and good decisions and choices. Information is a right; not
economic (production and trade indicators). an option! We all need to work together to build
information systems that promote and enhance a
AgroMatrix clearly defines a set of information needs culture of professionalism in agriculture. What is that
for sustainable development of agriculture and rural information? Where does it come from? How can it be
life. This set of information needs goes beyond the harnessed and channeled to strengthen the efficiency
usual statistical information, to integrally include and efficacy of decisions, at all levels that benefit
qualitative information as a key aspect for explaining most, if not all?
the situation, performance and making an assessment
of the development outlook. W hat does the issue
of information mean
MEAgrISys emphasizes other quantitative non-market for YOU and YOUR
data and particularly qualitative information that PROFESSION?
relate to the Ecological, Human/Social and
Political/Institutional dimensions of development as W hat part can YOU
within the remit of agriculture and ‘essential’. Such Play in building a
information makes the project and information credible information
development process radical departures from the past. base to influence
These types of information are not new; nor outside good decisions and
the interest and scope of member states. They already actions?
exist in national surveys, annual reports of Ministries H ow can YOU help
and other organizations. MEAgrISys seeks to pull that
information together in a common framework to
to build local
provide a more holistic analysis of the situation in MEAgrISys projects to
agriculture. identify and
disseminate critical
MEAgrISys is necessary and practical. But by itself, it information?
cannot begin to solve all the weaknesses in The MEAgrISys project is
information systems in agriculture in the Caribbean. geared towards the continuous upliftment of
agricultural professionals, including YOU!

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