Centre for Agricultural Research & Innovation
Evidence-based science addressing the most pressing agricultural challenges facing Barbados and the wider Caribbean.
Our Focus
CAGRI at UWI Cave Hill conducts applied and translational research that bridges the gap between scientific discovery and practical solutions for Caribbean farmers, agribusinesses, and policy-makers.
Our six interdisciplinary research pillars address the full agricultural value chain — from soil to shelf — with an emphasis on sustainability, food sovereignty, and economic resilience. We partner with government agencies, regional universities, and international organisations to deliver research that makes a measurable difference.
Six Pillars
Each research domain is grounded in the specific needs of Caribbean agriculture and informed by community engagement, industry partnerships, and global best practice.
Developing resilient food systems that can withstand climate shocks, reduce import dependency, and ensure nutritional well-being across the Caribbean region.
Advancing controlled-environment agriculture and precision farming solutions suited to small island developing states with limited land and water resources.
Strengthening animal agriculture through improved breeds, local feed development, and sustainable aquaculture practices that reduce external input costs.
Transforming raw agricultural commodities into market-ready products that extend shelf life, add economic value, and create employment along the food value chain.
Protecting biodiversity and building agricultural systems that adapt to the intensifying impacts of climate change, including drought, flooding, and extreme weather events.
Empowering farming communities, youth, and women through participatory research, training programmes, and social enterprise models that revitalise rural economies.
The Dukes Agri-Industrial Park in St. Thomas is a flagship research and demonstration facility where CAGRI translates laboratory findings into real-world farming solutions. The site hosts controlled-environment growing systems, post-harvest processing infrastructure, and community training spaces.
Managed in collaboration with the Barbados Agricultural Development and Marketing Corporation (BADMC), Dukes serves as a living laboratory for sustainable agriculture innovation and a hub for agripreneurship.
Partnerships
Whether you are a farmer seeking technical support, a government agency needing evidence-based policy guidance, or an international organisation exploring collaborative research, CAGRI welcomes partnerships that advance Caribbean agriculture.
