Agricultural Extension Services conducts field training in fertilizer application

On Wednesday 7th September 2022, the Extension and Advisory Services Division in the Ministry of Agriculture through its technical staff conducted a field training exercise in fertilizer application last Wednesday, September 7.

According to a release, the activity focussed in the application of inorganic fertilizers, foliar fertilizers and organic manure application rates, quantity calculations, application methods and frequency of application on the vegetable demonstration plot established on Ruthlyn Robinson’s farm at Evesham, in Agricultural District 5, West. A total of 20 farmers are reported to have participated in the field training activity which was coordinated by Agricultural Officer Regional Supervisor, Donawa Jackson and District Extension officer, Shamika Grant together with technical Aides and other support staff of the ministry.

One of the technical staff of the Extension and Advisory Service Division in the Ministry of Agriculture showing farmers how to calculate the amount of fertilizer needed

Jackson said “The demonstration plot on which the training activity was performed was established as a teaching tool to train farmers in the application of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) and complements classroom training provided under a wider programme for the development of farmers”. He further noted that, “a group of selected fruit and vegetable farmers are expected to benefit from this capacity building initiative and will be in a better position to cultivate and supply safe and high quality food for local consumption”.

This programme is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries, Rural Transformation, Industry and Labour in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA).

The activity is part of the Resilient School Feeding Programme which is a sub-project of the Mexico-Caricom FAO initiative (Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean) funded by the Government of Mexico.