Rooting for Success: Expanding Dasheen Exports Through Innovative Practices

Dasheen, also known as taro, is a root vegetable produced year-round in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. As the nation has diversified its agricultural practices, dasheen has emerged as a highly beneficial crop that strengthens food security. It is a high yielding plant that can withstand extreme weather conditions, making it economically advantageous for farmers and ensuring a more stable food supply. It also plays a crucial role in promoting soil health by maintaining high levels of carbon, which aids climate change mitigation. Beyond its environmental benefits, dasheen is highly nutritious and versatile. Every part of the plant can be used in cooking, which helps minimize food waste.

With its many advantages, global demand for dasheen has increased in recent years. However, exporters in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have faced challenges in developing a sustainable post-harvest treatment that complies with stringent European Union regulations for product safety. To address this, IESC conducted in-depth research to identify the best methods and organic-based products to extend the shelf life of dasheen, making it suitable for export to markets in Europe and North America.

In July 2024, Evergreen Caribbean Technical Agriculture Development Company Inc. (ECTAD), an exporter based in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, achieved a major milestone by successfully conducting its first trial shipment of dasheen to the United Kingdom. This success was made possible through the technical and financial assistance implemented by IESC through the USAID Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA). CAPA is an important part of the food security efforts being undertaken as part of the U.S. Caribbean Partnership to Address the Climate Crisis 2030 (PACC2030).

Jethro Greene, chief coordinator for the exporter, expressed gratitude for CAPA’s assistance: “The Activity is about solving farmers’ problems and today, this is exactly what was done. Through the support of CAPA, an organic-based post-harvest treatment was developed to extend the shelf-life of dasheen. Today we are now able to export to the United Kingdom.”

The impact of this success is profound. The trial shipment has opened up high-value market opportunities for dasheen exporters, resulting in confirmed orders for ECTAD to supply at least 1650 kgs of dasheen every two weeks. This results in more than US $90,000 in additional revenue for local farmers over the next year, significantly enhancing their livelihoods.

Building on this momentum, ECTAD and IESC are already preparing to conduct a similar trial shipment to France. IESC is also assisting ECTAD’s registration with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to gain access to the United States market. With the groundwork laid for continued market expansion, CAPA’s success with ECTAD demonstrates the power of collaboration and innovation in advancing economic growth and food security.

---

The USAID Caribbean Agricultural Productivity improvement Activity (CAPA) is a three-year program designed to improve food security and promote sustainable farming practices. IESC is implementing the program in Guyana, Suriname, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominica, Barbados, Grenada, St. Lucia, and Trinidad and Tobago.

This story is made possible by the support of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of this story are the sole responsibility of IESC and do not necessarily reflect the views of USAID or the United States Government.