The Bahamas Agriculture and Marine Sciences Institute (BAMSI) will join forces with several international universities to engage in student exchanges and collaboration with facilities on teaching and research assignments, according to Prime Minister Perry Christie.

"BAMSI is about knowledge-driven development of our agriculture and marine resources, and the institute is now a member of the Caribbean Council of Higher Education in Agriculture (CACHE)," said Christie.

This week, BAMSI and the College of The Bahamas (COB) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU). That agreement led Christie to say that there are more agreements with the University of Miami, University of Florida, Ocean University of China and one pending with the University of the West Indies School of Agriculture in St. Augustine, Trinidad. Christie explained that because of the agreement, BAMSI now has the same entry qualifications as COB.

Christie spoke during the 2016/2017 budget communication in the House of Assembly yesterday.

Christie also mentioned that The Bahamas was accepted as a member of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI), the premier agricultural research entity in CARICOM.

CARDI will have an office located in North Andros on the BAMSI site where professionals from CARDI are expected to add a new dimension to its research program, according to Christie.

"Bahamians working as counterparts to CARDI professionals will be able to undertake research on The Bahamas and earn UWI postgraduate qualifications at both the masters and doctoral degree levels," said Christie.

The Caribbean Farmers' Network (CaFAN) -- a small farmer organization in CARICOM -- invited BAMSI to have its Associated Farmers' Programme as a member.

"It is also notable that BAMSI is the only marine institute in CARICOM, and possibly the region as a whole, and a number of CARICOM states have announced their intention to send their students for training in order to more efficiently manage their marine resources," said Christie.

"BAMSI is an investment in human capital development, and in the food and nutrition security infrastructure of our country. BAMSI will continue to transform the agricultural sector and provide a more secure marine environment for Bahamians," Christie added.

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian