Derek P. Charles is currently employed as the National Specialist at the IICA Grenada Delegation. He holds MSc and BSc degrees in Agricultural and Rural Development and Agriculture respectively from the University of the West Indies. Derek has more than 15 years working experience in the Banana Industry in the Windward Islands and 10 years working in the UK with technical specialists of major UK supermarkets on quality control and improvements in the condition of green and ripened bananas. He has worked throughout the Windward Islands in strengthening the capacity of technical staff and farmers in the areas of GlobalGap, banana quality control, crop diversification and logistical development of the supply chain for root crops and fruits to the UK market.