In order to help the Vincentian farmers to access the knowledge of the soil analysis on SVG fields, the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Technical Mission will hold again a workshop in this interest on soil analysis at the venue of Orange Hill Farm on August 16, 2018. Interested Vincentian farmers are welcome to attend.
Mr. Chao-Chiung Liao, chief of the Taiwan Technical Mission, said that the Mission together with the Ministry of Agriculture establish the Soil Laboratory to provide soil analysis to Vincentian farmers to draw the soil map of SVG. Farmers will then receive a report on the data of soil analysis and the advice on nutrition and farming.
Mr. Liao indicated that the Soil Laboratory is a part of the “Project of Strengthening Farmers’ Organizations and Improving Fruit and Vegetable Production Technology in St. Vincent and the Grenadines.” The project has been implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Technical Mission since 2015.
Mr. Liao emphasized that, with the soil analysis, the Vincentian farmers could be able to obtain more knowledge about their soils and would have better ways to plant different fruit and vegetables accordingly.
Mr. Ming-Zing Lee, a specialist of the Mission, added that the workshops aimed to assist the farmers to understand the meaning of soil analysis and how to use them to enhance production and fertilize efficiently.
Mr. Lee said that the Ministry and the Mission have held six workshops in 2018, and more than 150 local farmers from different cooperatives such as Rafco, New prospect, Sowapco, Mt. Pleasant, Rasfaco, Gremco, South River and Pingco have attended.
Mr. Chun-Chun Huang, a specialist of the Taiwan Mission, said that Mr. Basil Nash, an instructor of the Plant Protection and Quarantine, shared his expertise with farmers. Mr. Nash encouraged farmers and growers to sample their soil to find out the kinds and amount of Pre plant fertilizer nutrient needed for optimum production.
Mr. Huang added that farmers are welcome to contact the Soil Laboratory, located in the Plant Protection and Quarantine at Campden Park, call 457-1283 to request soil analysis service. As for those who wish to understand the soil analysis are also invited to attend the upcoming workshop in Orange Hill Farm on August 16, 2018. Interested farmers may contact Mr. Lee at 531-0367 for information.
Mr. Nash interpreted the soil fertility testing results to farmers from Rasfaco cooperative.
Farmers listened carefully on the concept of soil fertility.
Mr. Nash interpreted the concept of soil nutrient availability affected by soil pH to farmers from Rasfaco cooperative.
