A workshop on climate adaptation for livestock farmers opens today

A workshop designed to expose livestock farmers on ways to better protect their
animals from the adverse effects of climate change takes place at the Antigua and
Barbuda Hospitality Institute today (Monday February 26).
The workshop is a joint undertaking of the Ministry of Agriculture’s Veterinary
and Livestock Division and the UWI Climate Change and Health Leadership
Fellowship.
Veterinary Officer, Dr. Nneka Hull James said the workshop will bring together
approximately 40 livestock farmers as well as staff of the division to discuss areas
of concern regarding climate change and its impact on the sector.
“We recognise that the hurricane season is often starting earlier and ending later as
well as such issues as excessive heat and flooding that are associated with climate
change. We want to expose our farmers to techniques to protect their animals from
these events. How to set up proper drainage in the event of flooding and ways to
protect animals in cases of excessive heats are some of the areas of focus at the
workshop,” she explained.
Additionally, there will be a panel discussion involving the Director of NODS,
Sherrod James, The Met Office, represented by Orville Paige, the Director of
Agriculture, Gregory Bailey and National Specialist of Inter-American Institute for
Cooperation in Agriculture (IICA), Craig Thomas.
Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr. Tubal Edwards, will deliver the feature address at the
opening exercises.
The range of livestock farmers in the country includes; poultry farmers (layers and
broilers), pig, cattle and goats and sheep.
Tthe UWI Climate Change and Health Leaders Fellowship Programme forms part
of a European Union (EU) funded 5-year project aimed at Strengthening Climate
Resilient Health Systems in the Caribbean. The project is being implemented by
the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and is bringing together 5 main
sub-regional partners (including the UWI) working across 16 countries. The
Project is aimed at improving climate and health systems, as well as human
capacities, in the Caribbean.