The Caribbean Animal and Plant Information Network

The Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) is presently implementing a four-year project in the Caribbean region to establish a regional information network on animal and plant health--the Caribbean Animal and Plant Health Information Network (CARAPHIN). CARAPHIN's immediate goal is to give the participating countries the technical capability to process and analyze the phyto- and zoo-sanitary information that they generate, share this information within the region, and use it as an effective instrument for decision making for agricultural development and trade. Sharing of information is further facilitated through the periodic regional and hemispheric meetings organized by IICA, by the Inter-American Animal Health Commission, and by the Technical Advisory Committee on Plant Protection. The Veterinary and Plant Protection Services of the region have expressed interest in the continuation of CARAPHIN as a permanent mechanism for agricultural health information management in the Caribbean. This motivated IICA to seek financing for a second phase of CARAPHIN, which will be executed from 1992 through 1996. Phase II of the project will seek to ensure the continuing application of the techniques and methodologies acquired by the agricultural health services of the different countries, and the functioning of the disease/pest information systems at the regional level. This will be achieved through technical assistance, continuing education, publications, provision of useful databases, and transfer of the project to a regional institution.