Omaira Avila Rostant

Omaira Avila Rostant has been appointed the CARDI Representative for Belize. Her appointment became effective on 1st October 2016. Omaira replaces Mr Anil Sinha who suddenly passed away in February 2016, after serving for 27 years as the CARDI Representative to Belize. As the CARDI Representative, Omaira would oversee the day to day operations of the Belize office. She will work in close collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries and other partners to implement the Institute’s work programme which has a strong focus on the production of cereals, grains and legumes, the commercial production of seeds and maintenance of seed banks. Prior to joining CARDI, Omaira coordinated the implementation of several roots and tubers projects in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Grenada. She was coordinator for the AgriNeTT project that created information and communication tools specific for the Agricultural sector. She was also the Manager for Research and Development at the Trinidad and Tobago Agribusiness Association (TTABA) from 2008 to 2010, where she was responsible for the introduction, production and postharvest management of several cassava, sweet potato and coconut varieties to suit industry needs. Probably one of her greatest asset is her extensive training and experience in Biotechnology and specifically plant tissue culture development which focuses on the management and conservation of in vitro planting material. Ms Rostant who is fluent in Spanish and English obtained an M.Phil in Plant Sciences from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine and a B.Sc in Agricultural Engineering (Specialisation in Plant Science) from the Central University, Venezuela.