Three Honoured with Caribbean Agro-Economics Society (CAES) Life-time Achievement Awards

The Caribbean Agro-Economics Society held its fourth New Year Dinner and Award ceremony on Saturday 16th February, 2010 at the University of the West Indies Social Club.  Dr. Ranjit Singh, Mr. Bruce Lauckner and Mr. Hesdie Grauwde were bestowed with Distinguished Contributor Award, in the category of Lifetime Achievement Award.

Dr. Ranjit Singh first became a member of CAES when he joined the Department of Agricultural Economic and Extension, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine. Dr. Singh was first elected to CAES executive in 1984 serving as Secretary from 1984-1986. In 1986, he was elected to the post of President for two consecutive terms, 1986-1990.  He was further elected as President from 1994-2004. He served as the Chair of the ad-hoc conference planning committee and Society’s fund raising committee. As the Director of Publications, he edited many of CAES Conference Proceedings and was Editor-in-Chief of Farm and Business, the Journal of the Caribbean Agro-Economics Society (now merged with Tropical Agriculture, Trinidad).

Mr Hesdie Grauwde studied in Holland various aspects of agriculture and agricultural Economics.  From early in his career, he showed his commitment to regionalism by then entering the University of the West Indies in St Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago to study for the MSc (Agricultural Economics) degree. As a student at UWI, St Augustine, he first became acquainted with the Caribbean Agro-Economic Society.  Having graduated from UWI, he returned to his native country Suriname, where he joined the Ministry of Agriculture.  He became the Representative for Suriname in CARICOM agricultural matters and was instrumental in the conceptualization of CARIFORUM, which proposal was accepted by the Heads of Government of CARICOM in 1992.  He joined the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Barbados in 1996, as a Policy Officer and it is this position, he greatly facilitated the operations of the Society, especially in fund raising and in the organization of Conferences in Barbados and Suriname.  He also served as the Barbados Country Representative and was Chairman of the Local Organizing Committee for the 28th West Indies Agricultural Economics Conference in Barbados in July 2009.  The great success of this Conference is a tribute to his organizational skill and dedication to the Society.

Mr. Bruce Lauckner is currently the Head of Strategic Alliances and Biometrician at CARDI. He first joined the CAES in 1977 when he attended the CAES conference in Antigua.  More recently, Mr. Lauckner has served on the Executive as President, Treasurer, Trinidad and Tobago Representative and ordinary member. 
The Caribbean Agro-Economic Society was formally launched on April 8, 1974 at the Ninth West Indies Agricultural Economics Conference in Jamaica. The major activity of the Society has been the organization of the Annual West Indies Agricultural Economics Conferences. This conference series started in February 1966 at the University of the West Indies. Some objectives of the Society are to:

1. Provide a forum for the examination of all agricultural institutions, policies, systems and practices in the Region and
2. Focus attention on the economic problems of agricultural production and marketing with a view to improving economic efficiency.

Welcome remarks were given Ms. Sarojini Ragbir, CAES Vice-President while Dr. Carlisle –Pemberton, CAES President gave a brief history of the Society.  Members were entertained by Latin dancing by UWI students Ms. Suzie Hassanally and Mr. Shannon Francis and instrumentals by the Browne sisters and treated to a sumptuous dinner.

Photographs show Mr. Hesdie  Graudwe receiving the Caribbean Agro-Economics Society Life-Time Achievement Award form Dr. Carlisle Pemberton, the President of the Society and Mr. Bruce Laukner with  the award.