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Enhanced agricultural research throught 10 years of structural funds support: the PRAM in Martinique

Open DaysEuropean Week of Regions and CitiesBrussels4-7 October 2010

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Le PRAM Pôle de Recherche Agro-environnementale de la Martinique

Un Groupement d’Intérêt Scientifique et un outil au service du développement durable de la Martinique et de la Caraïbe

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Before 1998 : a mosaic of research institutes

• CEMAGREF (EPST) : Institut de recherche pour l’ingénierie de l’agriculture et de l’environnement

• CIRAD (EPIC): Centre de coopération Internationale en Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement

• IRD (EPST) : Institut de Recherche pour le Développement

• INRA (EPST) : Institut national de la recherche agronomique

• And other regional research structures (CTCS, Centre technique de la canne et du sucre) spread over 9 different geographical sites with 23 researchers working in the field of agricultural research

• Facilities dilapidated and poorly equipped• Difficulties in receiving students and trainees• Documentation and information scattered and not very functional• Low visibility

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Since 1998 : Rapprochement and concerted actions

• 1998 : Rapprochement of 4 institutes (Cemagref, CIRAD, INRA, IRD) with the help of the DRRT and the request for funding to EC through DOCUP 1994-1999 for the construction of an agricultural center in Martinique

• 1999: Preparation of the General Convention of collaboration Cemagref, CIRAD, INRA and IRD

• 1999: Scientific programme planning and request for funding to EC on DOCUP 1999-2006

• May 12, 2000: Laying the foundation stone of PRAM• January 15, 2001: Signing of the first convention of

collaboration Cemagref, CIRAD, INRA, IRD• October 18, 2002: Inauguration of PRAM• March 14, 2007: signing of the GIS agreement between the

partners Cemagref, CIRAD, IRD

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StrengthsSkills and know-how internationally recognized in Tropical Agriculture

Inter-institute collaboration and pooling of resources (GIS)

Multidisciplinary approach facilitated

PRAM: a unique tool with better visibility

WeaknessesLack of critical mass in certain disciplines

Attractiveness to develop outside of the Caribbean (Caribbean-Europe axis)

Develop relationships with universities

OpportunitiesMartinique in the heart the Caribbean ‘hot spot’ in term of biodiversity

Growing demand for agricultural products of better quality (see ratio import / export)

Ongoing relationship with the European scientific research institutes through the guardianship Institutes and projects financed by EC

ThreatsLack of legal personality GISRisk in mobilizing human potential linked to the willing of guardianship institutesFinancial risk associated with the end of structural funds after 2013

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The Martinique agriculture at a glance

1998 2008

PopulationUnemploymentAgricultural sector

397 000 hab 30% (166 000 actives)15%

403 000 hab22% (162 000 actives)12%

Agric. Area used (SAU)

37 700 ha 25 195 ha

Banana (area) 11 000 ha 5 750 ha

Banana (exported) 280 000 t 200 000 t (estim.)

Sugarcane (area) 3 100 ha 4 150 ha

Sugarcane (tonnage)

190 000 t 207 156 t

Sugarcane (rhum) 70 000 HAP 90 604 HAP

Ratio import/export

7,8

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The challenges of agriculture in Martinique

• Martinique, like other countries of the Caribbean arc, faces the challenge of maintaining a significant agricultural activity, rewarding and guarantor of economic stability, social and cultural. The challenges facing agriculture Martinique revolve around three main lines:– Diversification of productions to supply the local market

– Optimization of industrial crops– A reduction of the effect of cropping practices on the environment

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Issue: Diversification of local productions

Varietal Innovation :

New banana varieties(in pre-commercial phase)

New pineapple varieties

Economic development of endemic fruit such as local apricot (Mammea americana)

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Issue: Optimization of industrial crops

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Issue: Reducing the impact of agricultural practices on the environment

High Risk

Soil pollution by pesticides: the case of chlordecone

Effect of soil type on contamination by pesticides

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PRAM: a European future

• Provided that:– The transition funding

after 2013 (through calls for European projects, see REGPOT)

– The integration into the European Research system

– The political support from regional and national policy-makers

• Requiring: – critical mass of

scientists– clearly identified goals

on which resources are concentrated to achieve scientific excellence

A center of excellence for Agroecologyin the Caribbean