The Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute has officially announced new leadership appointments for its Board of Governors and Board of Directors. The Honourable Floyd Green, Member of Parliament and Jamaica’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Governors. Concurrently, Professor Leonard O’Garro has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors. Both leadership tenures run from October 2026 to September 2029.
Minister Green brings extensive administrative and agricultural sector policy expertise to the Board of Governors. In his role as Chairman, Minister Green will guide the institute’s strategic policy alignment, focusing on expanding regional value chains, advancing import displacement initiatives, and strengthening agricultural standards across Caribbean Community Member States to bolster long-term food security.
Complementing this policy leadership, Professor O’Garro, a national of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, assumes leadership of the Board of Directors with a background in biotechnology, biosafety, plant pathology, and agricultural research. Professor O’Garro’s technical guidance will direct the institute’s scientific programming, ensuring that practical, science-driven innovations effectively address climate resilience and agricultural production challenges throughout the Caribbean.
Welcoming the incoming chairmen, CARDI Executive Director Ansari Hosein stated that their combined vision, scientific acumen, and regional and international experience will be instrumental in further strengthening the leadership and governance of the institute. Executive Director Hosein also expressed gratitude to former Board of Governors Chairman, the Honourable Lennox Andrews, Minister for Economic Development, Planning, Agriculture and Lands, Forestry, Blue Economy, Marine Resources and Cooperatives of Grenada, as well as former Board of Directors Chairman Mr. Ignatius Jean, for their dedication and outstanding stewardship over the years.
Established in 1974 to serve the research and development needs of CARICOM Member States, CARDI operates from its headquarters at the University of the West Indies Campus in St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago. The institute remains committed to delivering high-impact agricultural solutions that enhance regional productivity, food and nutrition security, and sustainable development across its member nations.
