TRAINING WORKSHOP on COMPOST

Today's agventures (adventures in agriculture) takes me to Terre Blanc Estate at Soufriere Saint Lucia. I have visited before, albeit briefly. Today, it is the venue for field training for farmers in composting. This training is part of a project to promote sustainable crop production through the application of organic agricultural methods for sustainable community development. We go right on to the banana plantation where the scent of the near by Sulphur Springs pervades.

The method demonstrated was Piling Compost.

Lucky for us, we are on a banana plantation where stems are readily available

Materials

• Source of carbon. Banana stems were used for this demonstration.
• Source of Nitrogen. Examples include green material such as grass or leaves. Grass was used in this training
• Source of Micro Nutrients. Examples include Blood Meal, Bone Meal, Fish Meal, Feathers, Manure. In this training horse manure and chicken feathers were used.
• Source of Micro Organisms such as mites, snails, ants, earthworms and woodlice. Examples include Soil, Compost. In this training soil was used.
• Water

Spreading the manure

Tools:

• Garden fork
• Cutlass
• Thermometer
• Wheel barrow
• Bags

It was interesting to learn that local soils are lacking in phosphorus primarily because they do not occur naturally in the soil. Bone meal, feathers and fish meal are all excellent sources of phosphorus. Fresh blood is another source of this micro-nutrient. It is best used as fresh as possible. If not possible to be used the same day then it should be frozen. The application method is 1/2 part water to 1/2 part blood. Moreover, fresh blood acts as an activator, accelerating the composting process.

Steps:

1. Procure the materials.
2. Clear the area for the compost pile.
3. Lay the stems in a rectangular shape.
4. Chop a layer of banana stems and lay them at the base of the heap.
5. Layer on the grass along the full length and breadth of the banana stems. 
6. Layer on the chicken feathers along the centre of the pile.
7. Layer the animal manure.
8. Layer on 3 bags of dirt.
9. Add another layer of chopped banana stems.
10. Add another layer of grass.
11. Add another layer of animal manure.
12. Add on 5 bags of dirt.

The Final Product!

The compost pile was not drenched with water as it was a day of intermittent showers. Although the Rainy Season officially began on June 1, no significant rainfall has been recorded. It still feels like Kawenm (french creole for Dry Season).

Management of Compost:

• The pile should be watered daily
• The temperature should be checked daily or at least three times per week
• The pile should be turned

Since this pile was made with less hardy material (with banana stems instead of woody tree stems) the composting should be complete in three months. Bulkier, hardier material takes six months to a year to compost.

TOMATO TIME

"Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit, wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad"-Miles Kington

A beautiful day for tomatoes

Well into the second month of the Dry Season, Saint Lucia experiences unusual daily rains and cooler temperatures. It is particularly disturbing to have rain intermittently throughout the day. And the chill, the terrible chill! But thankfully today is a better day- The sun is shining uninterrupted. A relative is harvesting tomatoes (local name: tanmadòz). Sunny conditions are best for him, as it saves him the additional process of wiping each tomato dry. Moisture on harvested tomatoes increases post-harvest losses. Each minute and every ounce of energy is valuable to accomplish the day's work.

Towards the end of last year purchasers and consumers lamented the lack of tomatoes on the market. In fact, tomato production has declined in recent times. The greatest challenge to tomato production remains the usual suspects-white flies. On the bright side, I am proud that the farmers of my community have met that challenge. An extension officer had remarked at the healthy condition of the tomato plants observed.Today that hard work is paying off. This farmer has an order of 10 crates to fulfill to a supermarket chain and another order for the Castries market vendors. The present buying price for tomatoes at the commercial purchaser is $3.00/lb. Prices to vendors at the local market are negotiable.
I walk to the neighbouring farm site, in the hopes of taking some good photos. It is not only a good day for tomatoes but a good day for photos too. Soon enough, I found myself assisting- "Many hands make light work". 

The tomatoes are picked in buckets and then carried to the shade of a mango tree to be sorted and packed into the crates for transport to the purchaser.

FRUIT LOSS:

The two most significant causes of fruit loss observed were:

1. Hungry birds: The young farming community has devised a noisemaker of old cans and rope to scare away the birds. Large bags are also affixed to the top of poles planted in the fields.The fluttering sounds and movement in the wind are employed to drive the birds away. These methods reduce extent to which the crop will be affected by hungry birds.

   

   The casualties

2. Blossom-end rot: The plant, like the human body requires nutrients to for growth and productivity. A calcium deficiency in tomatoes manifests itself in dark blotches on the bottom end of the fruit. As the circular patch increases in size, the area becomes soft and sunken and therefore renders the fruit unmarketable. 

   

   Tomato troubles

It was a successful day with fifteen crates of tomatoes harvested. Remember the farmer, when next you will wisely be using this fruit in your vegetable salad.

We needed 10 and finished with 15! Phew!

Papaya Production

What is your favourite fruit? Papaya (local name: Papay) is a worthy candidate. This tropical fruit is served most often as a breakfast fruit. With its high water content, the nutritional value of papaya includes the water-soluble vitamins A, C and E; mineral content and fibre.

Papaya estate

Today I visit a farm in papaya production at Marquis Estate and not a moment too soon. Farmer E. is getting ready to harvest. The trees are laden. This dwarf, yet high-yielding variety is called Red Lady. The plant is a self-pollinating variety that is noted for its resistance to the papaya ring spot disease.

However, they are not as resistant to Anthracnose and Bunchy top diseases which currently challenge papaya production in Saint Lucia. Anthracnose is caused by the fungus, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. Initial symptoms  of this disease manifests itself as watersoaked, sunken spots on the fruit. As the fungus develops the coloration of the spots change from black, then pink, then brown. Eventually, the flesh becomes soggy and spreads to the entire fruit. Anthracnose affects fruit both in the field and post-harvest.

Anthracnose on ripe fruit

Advanced stage of fruit rot

While Bunchy top is a transmitted by a leaf hopper, a1993 IICA Production asserts that the Bunchy Top is triggered by mineral deficiencies, the disease source being mycoplasma ."Bunchy top can be distinguished from boron deficiency by the fact that the tops of affected plants do not ooze latex when pricked". 

Both these diseases are controllable.

Bunch top advanced stage

Farmer E. believes that both the quality and quantity of papaya production establish papaya worthy not only at the breakfast table but also at the trade table to supersede banana production. While attempts have been made, papaya production has not significantly developed since historical 1993. The same diseases which plagued sustainable production and supply still exist. Commercial production was and still remains limited to the local market. The control of these debilitating diseases is a pre-requisite for the development of a papaya industry with export quantities and quality for international markets. It is also important to invest in research for the development of varieties that are resistant to disease. The Caribbean's competitive advantage over producers in sub-tropical areas also lies in:

• Shorter time required to flower
• Reduced period for fruit set
• Reduced time to harvest

Please share your thoughts on the potential of the marketability of papaya.

Other sources: 

Papaya: http://www.hort.purdue.edu/newcrop/morton/papaya_ars.html#Diseases

Texas A&M AgriLife Extension: http://plantdiseasehandbook.tamu.edu/food-crops/fruit-crops/papaya/

Plantain Plantation

Immature Plantain 

It is Sunday. It is 5:00 am. These are perfect conditions for sleeping in. But there is work to done and it shall be done. The farmer's day generally begins much earlier than other professions. With energy of purpose we set out on the expedition for young plantain plants for re-planting. We are sourcing the plants from Albert's farm at Marquis Estate, Babonneau. This rural area in northern St. Lucia is known as the bread basket of the north.

The distance over unpaved, potholed road is shorter than road surfaced with asphalt and gravel. However, reduced speed does nothing to ease the pain of the inescapable bumps of the road. At our destination, we begin to ascend the plantain-planted slope equipped with bags, cutlass and digging implements. No sooner have we set off when a Giant African snail greets us "Good Morning". Albert is nonchalant about the pest problem. He shares that he has plans for the chemical control in the coming week.

Giant African Snail working its way up a plantain plant

All is progressing well until what seems like a passing rain cloud darkens the already overcast sky. The light showers which interrupt our work develop into sheets and sheets of cold rain. It is possible for rain to be especially colder, running down your back at 6:00 am. The silver lining is that we are given an opportunity to slow down and take in the view. Seemingly, waiting out the rain will take whole day. We abandon shelter of plantain leaves and continue digging out plantain suckers in the pouring rain.

Black sigatoka looms over plantain/banana production

Rainy days

 It is disheartening to know that all this productive land has been earmarked for hotel development. The immediate impact is the displacement of the livelihoods of farmers. On a national level this is contrary to strategies for increased food production, food security and environmental responsibility. Albert remarks at the several bunches of fallen plantains: "See how food is wasting in this country". Today they will not be wasted as I am taking them all home. My "party bag" also has sugar cane, limes, oranges and bay leaf. I all but roll down the muddy slope lugging my finds.

One of many fallen plantains

It has been a productive day and the day has barely started. Now it is time for sleep. 

Like water off a plantain leaf

Cool as a Cucumber- Part One

The sun is out after the rains of the past few days. It's an ideal day to be out in the field but I am not wearing the ideal shoes for such an excursion. A detour brings me on a long overdue visit to the farm site of Agrocomplex. Agrocomplex is a small agricultural business which aims to provide quality agricultural production and services which is operated by Mr. Henry.

Cucumbers keeping cool under shade

Mr. Henry produces lettuce, Chinese cabbage, corn, watermelons, eggplant, bell peppers, passion fruit, snake gourd, zucchini and tomatoes. In addition he produces seedlings as requested. Presently, most of the farm space is cultivated with cucumbers, with a smaller crop of butternut and zucchini. 

Cucumbers in the open. Cucumbers, cucumbers everywhere!

Today his usual busy self, Mr. Henry was met in the process of harvesting cucumbers for sale. As such, I had arrived at the right time to lend some assistance (other than photographing). Also making me right in time to be gifted a heap of farm fresh cucumbers. However the proof will be in the salad that I will prepare for breakfast next day.

Flower to fruit chart for cucumbers. Photos taken at Agrocomplex

Orchid Ordeal

Photo credit: erin ehnle/keeping it real: through the lens of a farm girl

The home garden is usually-and successfully- tended to by women. However, women have not transferred this success to the management of large scale farm business. In my experience, I have observed that the majority of large scale farm production is managed by males. Still, women are employed within the production process weeding and harvesting; providing supporting services such as veterinary services.

Today I visited the operations of a female farmer in St. Phillip, Barbados. This was as part of the activities for the ARDYIS Web 2.0 Workshop. Ms. Margaret Lovemore is in the business of producing dendrobium orchids. Orchids are a high value agricultural product used in bouquets, corsages and other floral arrangements. Her market is the local hotel industry and florists.

At present, orchid production in Barbados is affected by blossom midge infestations. The female blossom midge deposits its eggs inside the orchid buds. The maggots feed on the buds causing deformed buds and flowers that are not marketable. This pest wreaks all this damage in a life span of 21-28 days!

Ms. Lovemore has employed technology to mitigate this problem. She is in the process of setting up a 30 by 90 feet greenhouse, an investment of approximately USD 40,000.00. High temperature is common disadvantage in green house operations in the Caribbean. This structure has been equipped with fans and louvers to maintain an optimal temperature.

I wish Ms. Lovemore all the best in her endeavours!

The flowers

A section of the green house from the outside

Under construction: A view of the green house from inside