Breadfruit and breadnut have excellent potential for contributing to food and nutrition security, viable livelihoods, sustainable environments and adaptation to climate change which are all key elements of the Agricultural Development Strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture of the Federation St. Kitts and Nevis. As significant sources of carbohydrate and protein, respectively, breadfruit and breadnut can partially replace imported sources of these nutrients and thereby contribute to the reduction of the high food import bill, while playing a significant role in the management of prevalent non-communicable, lifestyle diseases through their nutritional content. Both crops can be processed into a range of products that will increase availability as well as improve the ease of preparation and of diversifying the methods of consumption.

Under the project TCP-STK-3401, a workshop titled ‘Breadfruit Orchard Establishment and Management’ was conducted over two days, 10 and 11 December 2013, with the key objectives being (1) To provide participants with up-to-date knowledge on the establishment and management of breadfruit and breadnut orchards and (2) To provide participants with competencies in the key areas of cultivar identification, planting material selection, lining an orchard, hole preparation, planting and harvesting using a harvesting aid. The 30 participants consisted of farmers, processors, and staff of the Departments of Agriculture in St. Kitts and in Nevis, especially those with responsibility for plant propagation activities. The first session covered the establishment of commercial orchards, an overview of the botany, growth and development, and environmental requirements for breadfruit and breadnut production and an outline of sustainable production. The training on orchard establishment comprised two practical exercises, one on site selection for orchard establishment based on environmental conditions, mainly rainfall, and the other on cultivar selection using fresh samples of breadfruit and breadnut leaves, male inflorescences and fruit. The practical session on planting material selection was conducted using material from the nurseries at the Department of Agriculture, both in St. Kitts and in Nevis. This was conducted on farmer fields and comprised discussions on wind stress and the need of windbreaks, the factors influencing choice of cropping system, row orientation, plant population and spacing and practical sessions on lining the field, hole preparation, fertilizer application, staking and planting. A harvesting aid with a bag designed to catch the dislodged fruit was demonstrated.

The Manual was produced for St. Kitts/Nevis. However, it is hoped all countries of the Caribbean and beyond will benefit from the information being shared.

• Breadfruit and Breadnut Orchard Establishment and Management: A manual for commercial production

• Breadnut and breadfruit propagation: A manual for commercial propagation

• FAO Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean