The National Agricultural Research and Extension Institute (NAREI) is the leading organization tasked with spearheading agricultural research and extension activities for productivity enhancement and diversification of the non-traditional crops sectors. Its work can have a significant impact on exports here. In fact, work at the Institute has been increasing as it relates to crop production and improvement. In 2017 alone, it was projected that non-traditional crop production would increase by at least 2.5 per cent. By the end of the first half of 2017, a total of 400,000 Metric Tonnes (MT) was produced. A similar projection is being made for 2018. Major emphasis is also
being placed on coconuts, plantains, peppers, cassava, pineapples, spices and tomatoes for processing.
Plantain Production
Plantain production for the first half of 2017 was estimated to be 51,507 MT and is projected to exceed
its 2016 total production of 78,695 MT to reach at least 85,000 MT by the end of this year.
In 2018, the current emphasis on plantain production will continue in an attempt to supply the increasing demand for this commodity in the processing industry. Efforts will be on boosting plantain production, particularly through the promotion of improved agronomic practices; through the use of bunch covers to ensure product quality; Black
Sigatoka Disease (BSD) management; using organic fertilization methods and proper field sanitation. All this
will work to ensure a constant and reliable source of plantains for the processing sector.
Coconut Management for improved production
According to NAREI, the coconut industry continues to expand with the resurgence of markets for coconut products. It is estimated that an additional 5000 acres would be established within the next five years. Thus, there is the need to have an adequate supply of planting materials to satisfy the increased acreages. NAREI has since recognized the need to ensure the constant and reliable source of planting materials and as such, in 2017, the Institute established three coconut nurseries in Mon Repos, Wakenaam and Charity.
In 2018, nursery production would further be enhanced at all three of these locations, with support from the Hope Estate. The introduction of tissue cultured plantlet production is also programmed for 2018 to ensure a sufficiency of coconut planting materials. For NAREI, the increasing production/productivity of coconuts would be an on-going activity. Emphasis would be placed on management of pests and diseases and promoting the adoption of good agronomic practices, inclusive of fertilization. Coconut will continueto be promoted as an industry as outlined in the roadmap for the sector in 2016. Additionally, the operationalization of a major processing facility at Marudi will result in the production of value added products, inclusive of virgin coconut oil, activated charcoal,
coconut water, etc.
Hot Pepper Production
According to NAREI, production of this commodity will continue to be given priority to ensure that the demands of the processing sectors are met. For the first half of 2017, production was at 6,577 MT compared to the 10,745 MT produced in 2016.
Cassava Production
Cassava is another commodity which would be featured in 2018. According to NAREI, emphasis will be placed on increasing productionin Region 9 to cater for the demands of the two processing facilities at Wowetta and Moco Moco. The Institute has already begun to work with farmers in the communities of Quarry and St. Ignatius in order to improve cassava production.
Production of Spices (Turmeric, Ginger and Blackpepper)
The operationalization of the turmeric factory at Hosororo in 2017 has given impetus to this commodity. In 2017, 50 acres of turmeric were cultivated. For the first two quarters of 2017, it was estimated that at least 800 MT have been harvested across the country. It is estimated that by 2020, 150 acres would be cultivated to satisfy the local demand (167 tonnes) for this product. Similar activities are proposed for ginger and blackpepper.
Tomatoes
Apart from satisfying local demands, tomato production will be featured at Paramakatoi in Region 8. The Institute noted that this will ensure year round production of tomatoes for the sun dried tomato facility commissioned by President David Granger in July 2017.
Enhancing Diversification
According to the Institute, a number of diversification initiatives will continue in 2018, building from the successes of 2017. In fact, NAREI said it will continue to work with Amazon Caribbean (AMCAR) on the 500 acre fruit farm, Herstelling, in the Berbice River. An additional 50 acres is to come on stream in 2018. In 2018, NAREI, in collaboration with WUSC (World University Service of Canada), through the Promotion of Regional Opportunities
for Produce through Enterprises and Linkages (PROPEL) project, will continue to refine the production practices for Irish potato varieties. (Spunta, Bristol Pride and Kennebec) which showed adaptability to local conditions; additional varieties will also be acquired for testing. It is anticipated that ideal locations and dates for planting would be identified for successful cultivation of this crop. Based on current projections, an estimated 660 hectares (ha) are needed to satisfy local demand. The onion variety, Mercedes, was identified as suitable for local cultivation. Commercial planting of this variety will be done in 2018. Quinoa which was targeted as a
new crop to be established in 2017 was delayed due to the non-acquisition of seed material. The first trials were
expected to be done in the last quarter of 2017 in the Canje Area, Berbice. Further evaluations will be done in
- Other diversification initiatives include accessing and evaluating new varieties of watermelons, tomatoes,
cassava, etc. The evaluation of thebtwo new breadfruit varieties, which commenced in 2017, will continue in
2018.
Management of Pest and diseases
NAREI has noted that it will continue to employ the Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies to manage pests and diseases. Lures, bio-pesticides, baits, trap-cropping and pheromones would be utilized to manage pests and diseases. IPM for the management of the BSD of plantains and bananas will continue to be a priority activity.
Additional demonstration farms on farmers’ field will be established to promote field sanitation, fertilisation
and other agronomic practices to reduce the application of non-organic fungicides and pesticides. Cultivation
of the four BSD resistant plantain and banana cultivars, identified in 2017, will be expanded. The Institute also noted that IPM of coconuts will also be given prominence, especially for the management of the Red Palm Mite
(RPM). In addition to biological controls using predators, IPM plots established on farmers’ fields at Mahaica, Hague, Wakenaam and the Pomeroon will be continuously monitored. The IPM treatments evaluated include field sanitation and fertilisation, combined with a more environmentally friendly fungicide.
Green Agricultural Practices
Apart from the green practices, the Institute said that emphasis will be placed on the use of mychorrizae (tomatoes and pepper) and rhizobia (beans) to reduce the use of synthetic fertilisers on these crops. The use of activated charcoal and biochar, as soil amendments, would be promoted on low fertility soil, especially on the Linden/Soedyke Highway, to enhance the water holding capacity and nutrient retention of these soils for
enhanced crop production.
Additionally, the use of composts and vermicomposts to improve the organic matter content and nutrient status of
soils would be encouraged. In addition to cow manure, which was traditionally used as the source for vermicomposting, the use of pig manure as well as sheep or goat manure would be evaluated as sources for vermicomposts.
NAREI stated that it will continue to work with the Ministry of Communities with respect to its tree planting exercise. This Ministry intends to establish 300,000 trees over a three year period; an activity which commenced in 2017.
Hinterland Agricultural Development
Hinterland Agricultural Development continues to be a priorityfor the Ministry of Agriculture and its agencies. NAREI will be engaged in the research and technology transfer aspects of the Inter-American Bank (IDB) funded
Sustainable Agricultural Development Project (SADP).
Other activities which have already been fulfilled under Hinterland Agricultural Development in 2017 are
summarised below:
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation of the 20 acres of orchard established at Ebini;
- Spice cultivation and processing in Region 1 and the expansion of the Hosororo nursery.
- The production of tomatoes to supply the sun dried tomato facility at Paramakatoi;
- Establishment of nursery and farm at Paramakatoi;
- Utilisation of farm at Kato for the production of crops such as potatoes, onions, fejou and fruits;
- Expansion of cassava cultivation in Region 9 and the Irish potato trials.
Climate Smart Practices
NAREI has said that it will be engaged in the recently approved Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) Project targeting climate smart agriculture. This project seeks to identify crops that show resilience to the vagaries of climate change and the adoptive measures that farmers could utilise. In 2018, an assessment will be conducted on the production practices being utilised for shade houses that were previously established. This will provide guidelines on how these practices could be improved. Work will continue with farmers and private
investors who have expressed interest in expanding shade house cultivation.
Demonstration farms/ Training
Demonstration farms are essential to transferring appropriate technology as well as for training farmers using the Farmer Field School approach. In 2017, more than 80 demonstration farms/plots were established in all ten
regions. This exercise will continue in 2018, in districts which were not previously targeted.
NAREI revealed that it will continue to provide support to the Community Development Projects (CDP) which
were previously established and those coming on stream in 2018. Extension services and training
would also be provided to the four target areas under the Regional Agriculture Infrastructural Development (RAID)
Project. Demonstration farms are also to be established in beneficiary areas of Ithaca, Triumph, Buxton and Mocha.
Mangrove Management/Restoration
In 2017, an assessment of the coastline from Regions 2 through 6 was conducted to evaluate the condition of the coastline and identify sites to restore mangroves. Based on that assessment, a brushwood dam and geotextile tube
groyne was established in Region two.
The Mangrove programme for
the next three years will focus on
(i)
Mangrove conservation and sustainable management;
(ii) Restoration of degraded sites;
(iii) Research;
(iv) Education and awareness and
(v) Increased technical capacity through training.