Executive Director of the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) Dr. Arlington Chesney has announced that he will step down at the end of the year and the Board of Governors has approved the appointment of his successor Barton Clarke.
Chesney made the announcement at the closing off of the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in Suriname last week.
Clarke, who has been with CARDI for 15 years and previously with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), will inherit the cash-strapped entity. When approached by the media, the Barbadian declined to give a comment stating that at this time, it would not be appropriate as he is not heading CARDI until Chesney steps down at the end of the year.
Chesney revealed that for ten years, CARDI has dealt with the late payment of staff and outstanding issues with pension plans