New $1.5 million compost production facility handed over

A new compost production facility at Orange Hill, which was constructed at a cost of EC$1.5 million, was officially handed over yesterday.

The facility is equipped with three bio-digesters for making compost and a steam sterilizing machine for the sterilization of soil and other inputs used for vegetable seedling production.

Also handed over at yesterday’s ceremony was the project “Strengthening Farmers’ Organization and Improving Fruit and Vegetable Production Technology in St Vincent and the Grenadines”.

The compost production facility and the project were handed over by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) at the Orange Hill Agriculture Biotechnology Centre.

ONE OF the new compost facilities at Orange Hill Agriculture Biotechnology Centre.

The project “Strengthening Farmers’ Organization and Improving Fruit and Vegetable Production Technology” was executed over a four-year period at a cost of EC$7,273,832.00 and involved:

1. The establishment of eight farmers’ cooperatives producing different agricultural commodities;

2. training of farmers and extension officers to strengthen their capacity to aid in the improved the management of cooperative organizations. Under the project, several farmers and government officers participated in training programmes conducted locally as well as in Taiwan.

3. Soil sample collection, analysis and fertilizer recommendations.

4. Outfitting of the Probiotics Laboratory

5. Improved technologies to enhance the production of bio fertilizers and bio pesticides.

6. The development of cultivation models for watermelon, pineapple, sweet pepper, tomatoes and carrots.

7. The procurement of equipment and training in analysis of pesticide residue in local and imported fruits and vegetables. 8.The procurement of agricultural equipment such as tillers and sprayers to support agricultural cooperatives

Yesterday’s ceremony heard addresses from Parliamentary Representative for North Windward Montgomery Daniel and Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) Calvin Chen-Huan Ho. The feature address was delivered by Saboto Caesar, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour.