Composting introduced to farmers

In order to promote composting in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, a serial of compost workshops was held by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Taiwan Technical Mission (TTM) collaboratively in Peter’s Hope and Spring Village on April 28 and May 5, respectively. More than 30 farmers, agricultural officers, and TTM experts attended.{{more}}

Sydney Sutherland, the compost extension officer of the Ministry of Agriculture, introduced the advantages and the steps for making compost. He stressed that it is very important to keep moisture and aeration inside the compost.

Carlos Lai, the specialist of the TTM, stated that farmers are able to make compost by two simple steps. The first step is to dig a hole on their farms. The second one is to put green materials (grass, leaves, and kitchen waste), animal manure, water, and soil inside the hole. With appropriate mixing and stirring, after only three to four months, a pile of compost will be available.

Both Sutherland and Lai emphasized that there are several benefits for farmers if they make and use compost, such as making the soil healthier, reducing the use of chemical fertilizer, protecting the environment, keeping the environment clean, and reusing the natural resources.

In August, another workshop is scheduled to be held. Furthermore, a new compost manual was completed by the joint-efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture and the TTM. Anyone who is interested in attending the workshop or would like to have a copy of the compost manual can contact Mr. Sydney Sutherland or the TTM.