Farmers explore new approaches as heat and other pressures challenge agriculture

After two farming symposiums in Dennery and Union, Castries, farmers and others in the industry said they were glad to learn about additional farming methods. They also spoke of the need for well-rounded solutions to deal with rising heat and other issues.​

At Orchid Garden in Union on Friday, August 14, farmer Fimbar Evans, who has over 10 years of experience, said he enjoyed the second and final symposium. He said the event exposed him to additional farming methods he might try.

“I’m really considering hydroponics now,” Evans said, reflecting on methods discussed at the event aimed at helping farmers increase efficiency and support healthy crop production through a variety of climate- and environmentally resilient practices. “I already have the space; I think I could adapt to try it.”

Isratech, a Jamaica-based company that has been supplying agricultural products and facilitating programmes throughout the region, organised the symposiums. The company also plans to open an outlet in Saint Lucia soon.

Speaking at the event, Agricultural and Biosystems Engineer Faustinus Monero and Isratech Jamaica’s Technical Director Arturo Ramirez discussed modern agricultural practices and multiple irrigation methods that they say have been tried and tested and have shown favourable results in Saint Lucia and across the region.

“Most of the technologies are very appropriate and relevant to the present situation and difficulties that the farming communities face here,” Monero told St. Lucia Times.

He said the main problems farmers face include water shortages, flooding due to changing climate patterns, pests and not enough workers.

Among the agricultural methods discussed to address these concerns were vegetable grafting, full-scale rainwater harvesting systems, solar pumps, nutrient management through composting, hydroponics, enhanced pest and disease identification, and drip, micro and sprinkler irrigation.

Evans talked about how well drip irrigation works for him. Since January, he has used rainwater and a drip system to water his half-acre farm, where he grows tomatoes, corn, cucumbers, peppers and tree crops.

He says he has seen the benefits of using the method in addition to spending less time watering his crops.

“I could say it saves water, because it has its working time, so there’s a time where I shut it off… if you just keep it going, that’s when you have excessive water wastage too,” Evans shared.

According to Evans, increased heat has also been a noticeable concern, but he has learned to manage it.

“The heat is coming down these days; you just have to prepare for it, get up early in the morning, water and make sure the soil is really irrigated.”

Lindsay Daniel, who grows ornamental plants like air-purifying plants, cacti, succulents, palms and others on her land, also reiterated the value of discussions on irrigation and other planting methods aimed at improving efficiency.

“I have about 700 plants and it is a hassle watering, especially,” said Daniel. “Between the sun and watering it is very hectic for me. I have some physical challenges and sometimes I just can’t go outside to water them. It’s interesting to know how easy it is to turn a pipe on and take care of my plants.”

Daniel said she has had to water her plants more often lately because the El Niño climate pattern has made it hotter over the past two months.

During Friday’s symposium, farmers and agricultural stakeholders openly questioned and discussed how well the methods worked, their drawbacks and the costs.

Ramirez said the company was committed to working alongside farmers to tailor solutions to their needs.

Addressing current issues facing farmers, particularly water scarcity in Saint Lucia where irrigation is concerned, he said, “I think we need to build resilience considering water scarcity concerns because even though we are in Saint Lucia with the tropical weather and with a lot of rainfall we are not taking advantage of that, so I think that first we need to look at the rainwater harvesting capability of the greenhouses for example or the houses and store that water in order to use it in the future not only for agriculture but for other uses.”

Ramirez said the company plans to hold more symposiums in the future to keep the conversation going between farmers and other stakeholders.

The article Farmers explore new approaches as heat and other pressures challenge agriculture is from St. Lucia Times.