volume 12 no. 3 march 2014 - namistt · 2015-03-04 · volume 12 no. 3 march 2014 · to improve...

Participants at the workshop held on February 24-25, 2014

The Ministry of Food Production (MFP) has embarked upon a mission to increase the level of food production in the country in an attempt to reduce the high food import bill which currently is in excess of TT$4B. NAMDEVCO in its drive to support this initiative has identified one binding constraint that impacts on the level of agricultural output, that being post harvest losses.

It has been estimated that approximately 40% of fresh agricultural produce is lost by the time it gets to market mainly due to improper post harvest practices; damaging the produce whilst harvesting, incorrect packaging of the produce, poor storage facility and inadequate transport handling.

In response to this challenge and arising out of a recommendation from The Third International Society for Horticultural Science (ISHS) Conference on Postharvest and Quality Management of Horticultural Products of Interest in Tropical Regions, which was held in Trinidad and Tobago in mid 2013, the Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Cooperation (CTA) in collaboration with The University of the West Indies (UWI) and The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) hosted a workshop entitled “Postharvest Management Strategies to reduce losses of perishable crops” over the period 24-25th February, 2014.

The priority activities identified at the closing of the conference were reducing postharvest losses, promoting development of value-added products for food security and increasing employment opportunities. The following were the main recommendations of the international conference:

· To expose a core group of certified farmers to postharvest handling and storage through training and capacity building, with the overall objective of having them understand post-production constraints, and the technical solutions to overcome them;

· To focus on perishable commodities such as hot pepper, dasheen leaves, cassava, sweet potato, pumpkin, mango, papaya, pommecythere, caraille, sweet pepper and shadon beni which offer opportunities for further analysis and development and improvement of the said chains; moreover, they also show the potential and the ‘way to go forward’ for other alternative crops whose chains could be developed;

Postharvest management to reduce losses of perishable crops

Sustainable Agriculture - responding to the challenges facing the sector

Wholesale Prices, Volumes, Export Prices, Seafood Prices

Retail Prices

Brief history of coconuts in Trinidad and Tobago

is a monthly bulletin of the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO). It provides information to strengthen the managerial and technical capacity of our agribusiness stakeholders and market intelligence in fresh produce and seafood at wholesale, retail and export markets.

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Volume 12 No. 3 March 2014

Dr. Majeed Mohammed - Senior Lecturer (UWI)

presenting at the Post Harvest Workshop

2 GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 12 No. 3 March 2014

· To improve postharvest logistical procedures and services throughout the commodity value-chain;

It was noted that the major concern in relation to value chain development probably lies with market requirements and developing ways to address them: quality issues related to raw produce and subsequent packaging, storage, and transport, together with compliance with international standards and certificates are major issues that need to be addressed. It was determined that effective postharvest treatments and sanitation protocols associated with packinghouse operations must be given high priority; more specifically, understanding, introducing and applying HACCP and other certification systems (e.g. GlobalGAP, FT) are of major concern and need to be implemented, with the final objective to develop postharvest certification that will allow regional products to enter international markets.

The objective of the workshop held in February last was to provide training to field officers, certified farmers and produce managers on improved methods to reduce postharvest losses of fresh produce as well as minimally processed products and selected value-added products from the commodities identified.

The key facilitator at this workshop was Dr. Majeed Mohammed, a Senior Lecturer at The University of the West Indies. Welcome remarks were given by Mr. Ganesh Gangapersad, Chief Executive Officer (Ag) (NAMDEVCO); he reiterated that postharvest does not start after harvest but rather at pre-harvest when crop selection occurs. In selecting

(L-R) Afiya John (Postharvest Specialist NAMDEVCO), Dr. Majeed Mohammed (Senior Lecturer UWI), Nirmalla Persad (Packinghouse Manager NAMDEVCO), Celestine Butters (Packinghouse Manager

Guyana Marketing Corporation), Ronald Pilgrim (Saint Lucia Country Representative CARDI), Dorian Etienne (Dominica Country Representative CARDI), Sandra Timothy (Postharvest Technologist

THA), Pathleen Titus (Technical Advisor Crops THA), Dr. Gauis Eudoxie (Lecturer UWI), Markneil Lewis (Extension Officer, Ministry of Agriculture, St. Vincent),

Ganesh Gangapersad (Chief Executive Officer (Ag.) NAMDEVCO)

a crop, knowledge of postharvest practices should be considered to ensure a safe product reaches the market.

In attendance were various stakeholders of the Agriculture sector: Lecturers from The University of the West Indies, CARDI, Farmers group representative, Ministry of Food Production, Field Officers from NAMDEVCO, Packinghouse Managers from Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago.

Sustainable Agriculture - Responding to the Challenges facing the Sector

Successful agriculture depends on a combination of three main factors land, labour and technology. These factors have had a positive impact on increased food production, especially the major commodities. How important is sustainable farming to the small and medium sized farmer? These farmers also utilise the factors described above, however they are also faced with challenges of soil depletion, water quality, and reduction in yields and increasing production costs. To add to these, the protection of the environment is another challenge being faced.

To rise up to the challenges, a movement for sustainable farming has come to the forefront. What exactly is this and how does it

It is anticipated that those persons in attendance would share this valuable information with the farmers and agro-processors in the sector and through continuous monitoring by Field Officers, a reduction in the levels of post harvest losses through improper practices would be realised. This would have an immediate effect of boosting the available amount of fresh produce on the market.

turn things around? Not only does sustainable agriculture address many environmental and social concerns, but it offers innovative and economically viable opportunities for growers, labourers, consumers, policymakers and many others in the entire food system.

This article seeks to identify the ideas, practices and policies that constitute the concept of sustainable agriculture.

Sustainable agriculture integrates three main goals--environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. Sustainability rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. Therefore, stewardship

of both natural and human resources is of prime importance. Stewardship of human resources includes consideration of social responsibilities such as working and living conditions of labourers, the needs of rural communities, and consumer health and safety both in the present and the future. Stewardship of land and natural resources involves maintaining or enhancing this vital resource base for the long term.

Making the transition to sustainable agriculture is a process. For farmers, the transition to sustainable agriculture normally requires a series of small, realistic steps. The key to moving forward is the will to take the next step. In taking these steps there are a number of strategies for consideration.

GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 12 No. 3 March 2014 3

Soil. Soil erosion continues to be a serious threat to our continued ability to produce adequate food. Numerous practices have been developed to keep soil in place, which include reducing or eliminating tillage, managing irrigation to reduce runoff, and keeping the soil covered with plants or mulch.

PLANT PRODUCTION PRACTICES

some pest problems brought on by crop stress or nutrient imbalance. Furthermore, crop management systems that impair soil quality often result in greater inputs of water, nutrients, pesticides, and/or energy for tillage to maintain yields.

In sustainable systems, the soil is viewed as a fragile and living medium that must be protected and nurtured to ensure its long-term productivity and stability. Methods to protect and enhance the productivity of the soil include using cover crops, compost and/or manures, reducing tillage, avoiding traffic on wet soils, and maintaining soil cover with plants and/or mulches.

FARMING AND NATURAL RESOURCES

Efficient use of inputs. Many inputs and practices used by conventional farmers are also used in sustainable agriculture. Sustainable farmers, however, maximize reliance on natural, renewable, and on-farm inputs. Equally important are the environmental, social, and economic impacts of a particular strategy. Converting to sustainable practices does not mean simple input substitution. Frequently, it substitutes enhanced management and scientific knowledge for conventional inputs, especially chemical inputs that harm the environment on farms and in rural communities. The goal is to develop efficient, biological systems which do not need high levels of material inputs.

Growers frequently ask if synthetic chemicals are appropriate in a sustainable farming system. Sustainable approaches are those that are the least toxic and least energy intensive, and yet maintain productivity and profitability. Preventive strategies and other alternatives should be employed before using chemical inputs from any source. However, there may be situations where the use of synthetic chemicals would be more “sustainable” than a strictly nonchemical approach or an approach using toxic “organic” chemicals.

Consideration of farmer goals and lifestyle choices. Management decisions should reflect not only environmental and broad social considerations, but also individual goals and lifestyle choices. For example, adoption of some technologies or practices that promise profitability may also require such intensive management that one’s lifestyle actually deteriorates. Management decisions that promote sustainability nourish the environment, the community and the individual.

Continued on Page 6

Water. We are all aware of the importance of water to agricultural production. The prolonged drought occurrences experienced in the past has brought home the importance of this resource and the need to mange it properly.

Steps should be taken to develop improved farming systems: 1) improving water conservation and storage measures, 2) using reduced-volume irrigation systems, 3) managing crops to reduce water loss.

The most important issues related to water quality involve salinity and contamination of ground and surface waters by pesticides, nitrates and selenium. Pesticide and nitrate contamination of water can be reduced using many of the practices.

Energy. Modern agriculture is heavily dependent on non-renewable energy sources, especially petroleum. The continued use of these energy sources cannot be sustained indefinitely, yet to abruptly abandon our reliance on them would be economically catastrophic. In sustainable agricultural systems, there is reduced reliance on non-renewable energy sources and a substitution of renewable sources or labor to the extent that is economically feasible.

Air. Many agricultural activities affect air quality. These include smoke from agricultural burning; dust from tillage, traffic and harvest; pesticide drift from spraying; and nitrous oxide emissions from the use of nitrogen fertilizer. Options to improve air quality include incorporating crop residue into the soil, using appropriate levels of tillage, and planting wind breaks, cover crops or strips of native perennial grasses to reduce dust.

Sustainable production practices involve a variety of approaches. Specific strategies must take into account topography, soil characteristics, climate, pests, local availability of inputs and the individual grower’s goals. Despite the site-specific and individual nature of sustainable agriculture, several general principles can be applied to help growers select appropriate management practices: • Selection of species and varieties that are

well suited to the site and to conditions on the farm;

• Diversification of crops (including livestock) and cultural practices to enhance the biological and economic stability of the farm;

• Management of the soil to enhance and protect soil quality;

• Efficient and humane use of inputs; and • Consideration of farmers’ goals and

lifestyle choices.

Soil management. A common philosophy among sustainable agriculture practitioners is that a “healthy” soil is a key component of sustainability; that is, a healthy soil will produce healthy crop plants that have optimum vigour and are less susceptible to pests. While many crops have key pests that attack even the healthiest of plants, proper soil, water and nutrient management can help prevent

Corn field being irrigated

Use of stakes in tomato crop management


Vegetables

Leafy Vegetables

Condiments & Spices

Root CropsPrice % Change Volume % Change

Fruits prices were relatively stable with the exception of Watermelon which experienced a significant month to month decline of 32%, this occur even though the supply of Watermelon was stable. A major 45% month to month decline a

Leafy Vegetables

All root crops captured in our monthly food basket publication experienced a decline in volume for the month of March 2014 when compared to February 2014. The range of this decline spanned as little as 2% to an extreme of 44%. Local Sweet Potato, Ginger and Common Yam saw significant declines in volume of 38%, 21% and 44% respectively for March compared to February, while Imported Eddoes declined slightly by 8%, volumes for Carrot. Cassava and Local Dasheen were fairly stable declining by less than 5%. Local Sweet Potato recorded a 31% increase in price; this is most likely as a result of the

Pimento (M), was the only commodity in this category which experienced an increase in volume for March when compared to February increasing slightly by 5%, this however doesn’t completely explains its 19% price reduction. The volumes for both Celery and Hot Pepper saw month to month reduction in terms of volume of 11% and 8% respectively. Celery price followed standard economic theory and increase by 16% as a result of

Increases in both volume and price of 5% was recorded for Tomato (M) in March when compared to February 2014. Melongene (M), recorded a month to month decline in price of 21% in March; this may be as a result of the 42% expansion in its supply. Bodi Beans experienced a moderate decline in volume of 20%, which may have contributed to the moderate increase in its month to month, price of 18%. The expansion in the volume for cucumber of 9% may have resulted in the 5% decline in its price for the month of March. Sweet Pepper (M), exhibited strange economic behavior for the month of March, in that it recorded month to month increases in both

Leafy vegetable prices for the month of March declined when compared to February for all commodities in this category. Prices for Callaloo Bush both open and rolled were the same in March as in February, the volume however for open Callaloo Bush showed a moderate month to month, decline of 13%, while that of roll Callaloo Bush remained stable. Lettuce (M) and Local green Cabbage, registered a 9% and 15%

Root Crops

Condiments & Spices

Vegetables

Fruits

Unit Feb-14 Mar-14 % change Feb-14 Mar-14 % change

Bodi Beans Bdl 22.84 26.87 18% 7,837 6,274 -20%

Cucumber Kg 6.08 5.79 -5% 93,473 102,011 9%

Melongene (M) Kg 14.41 11.38 -21% 11,809 16,724 42%

Sweet Pepper (M) Kg 18.44 15.56 -16% 12,230 8,521 -30%

Tomato (M) Kg 9.69 10.14 5% 57,272 59,859 5%

Pumpkin Kg 9.64 8.01 -17% 78,844 83,144 5%

REVIEW OF AVERAGE PRICES AND TOTAL VOLUMES AT NORRIS DEONARINE NORTHERN WHOLESALE MARKET FOR THE PERIOD FEBRUARY VS MARCH 2014

Price % Change Volume % Change




Carrot Kg 6.82 7.99 17% 104,464 100,041 -4%Cassava Kg 6.52 6.11 -6% 50,647 49,824 -2%Dasheen (Local) Kg 8.87 8.53 -4% 17,452 17,043 -2%Eddoes (Imported) Kg 8.19 10.32 26% 113,281 103,749 -8%Sweet Potato (Local) Kg 5.38 7.05 31% 185,195 115,380 -38%Ginger Kg 11.35 11.90 5% 63,084 49,696 -21%Yam (Common) Kg 6.61 7.45 13% 7,082 3,963 -44%


Celery Bdl 16.80 19.51 16% 8,443 7,518 -11%

Chive Bdl 24.91 26.87 8% 5,768 5,770 0%

*Hot Pepper Kg 63.22 50.62 -20% 2,866 2,651 -8%

Pimento (M) Kg 39.22 31.67 -19% 4,069 4,270 5%


Patchoi Bdl 5.24 4.49 -14% 15,770 16,486 5%

Spinach Bdl 5.73 4.41 -23% 11,714 11,230 -4%

Cabbage (Local) (Gn) Kg 9.43 8.06 -15% 51,009 56,509 11%

Callaloo bush (open) Bdl 4.00 4.00 0% 22,250 19,250 -13%

Callaloo bush (roll) Bdl 5.00 4.99 0% 17,650 17,300 -2%

Lettuce (M) Hd 4.18 3.81 -9% 12,201 9,920 -19%


Leafy Vegetables

contraction in supply for March. Imported Eddoes registered an increase in price of 26% in the month of March as compared to the previous month, a significant change despite a slight reduction in its supply; this indicates among other factors, a sharp increase in the quantity of Imported Eddoes demanded in March. Moderate increases in prices in March over February were recorded for Carrot and Common Yam of 17% and 13% respectively. The price of Cassava, Local Dasheen and Ginger were relatively stable changing by less than 6%.

this decline in supply. The price of Hot Pepper however, experienced a month to month decline in price of 20%, this suggest that demand contracted, so much so that, in the month of March it completely offset the expected supply driven increase and resulted in this considerable price decline. The price of Chive registered a slight increase in month on month price of 8% even though its volume remained unchanged.

increase in price respectively, this was most likely as a result of their 19% and 11% contraction in its supply. Patchoi and Spinach both experienced moderate declines of 14% and 23% respectively in their prices, even though their volumes were relatively stable changing by less than 5%. It suggests that for the month of March, there were significant declines in demand for both Patchoi and Spinach.

volume and price of 30% and 16% respectively. One explanation for this could be a substantial decline in Sweet Pepper (M) demand for the month of March triggering a sharp price decline that was slightly mitigated by a contraction in supply. There continue to be a shortage of pumpkin in the market in March, pumpkin volume were approximately 83,144 Kg which is 49% lower than the pervious year. As a result pumpkin price remained significantly buoyant despite a 17% month to month reduction. Pumpkin price at the market last month were 139% higher compared to the price in March 2013.

Papaya volume was recorded in March; this however, failed to affect its price which remained stable. The volume of Imported Banana and Pineapple decline month to month by 18% and 7% respectively, while their prices remain relatively stable.

Root Crops

Condiments & Spices

Vegetables

Fruits

Fruits



Banana (Imported) Kg 8.34 8.77 5% 74,625 61,215 -18%

Papaya Kg 5.85 5.77 -1% 34,496 18,988 -45%

Pineapple Kg 10.29 10.46 2% 65,980 61,657 -7%

Watermelon Kg 5.87 4.02 -32% 94,802 96,707 2%

COMPARISON OF WHOLESALE PRICE($/kg) FOR SELECTED SEAFOOD ITEMS

ORANGE VALLEY FISH MARKET PORT OF SPAIN FISH MARKET

Commodity Unit Feb-14 Mar-14 % CHANGE Feb-14 Mar-14 % CHANGEAncho Kg 57.32 56.22 -0.02 54.80 55.12 1%

Bachin Kg 26.46 25.36 NA 31.67 30.31 NA

Blanche Kg 4.41 2.94 NA 4.41 4.41 0%

Brochet Kg 19.40 20.16 0.04 28.66 29.10 2%

Carite Kg 61.23 60.28 -0.02 58.06 59.89 3%

Cat Fish Kg 4.78 5.76 0.21 5.06 4.70 -7%

Cavalli Kg 28.17 28.83 NA 26.90 23.34 -13%

Cro Cro Kg 13.48 13.66 0.01 14.37 16.64 16%

Cutlass Fish Kg NA NA NA 8.82 6.61 NA

Herring Kg 5.68 5.75 0.01 NA 6.61 NA

King Fish Kg 63.94 67.31 0.05 60.56 61.52 2%

Mixed Fish Kg 4.82 4.98 0.03 11.79 12.23 4%

Moonshine Kg 23.76 29.40 0.24 15.44 NA NA

Red Fish Kg 37.25 44.68 0.20 42.99 42.55 -1%

Salmon Kg 35.27 39.43 0.12 39.07 39.41 1%

Shark Kg 17.07 18.08 0.06 17.64 18.23 3%

Shrimp (M) Kg 33.09 32.29 -0.02 60.85 65.31 7%

Source

Packaging

Variety

MIAMI TERMINAL MARKET NEW YORK TERMINAL MARKET

Feb-14 Mar-14 Feb-14 Mar-14Dominican Republic 8 lb Box HABANERO $12.00 - $18.00 $12.00 - $16.00 $22.00 - $26.00 $22.00 - $24.00

Dominican Republic 15 lb Box HABANERO $12.00

Netherlands 2 kg Cartons HABANERO $22.00 $22.00

Dominican Republic 8 lb Box SCOTCH

BONNET $11.00 - $18.00 $11.00 - $12.00

Source USDA Market News

USA TERMINAL MARKETS WHOLESALE PRICES (US$) Feb - Mar 2014


THE ECONOMIC, SOCIAL & POLITICAL CONTEXT

In addition to strategies for preserving natural resources and changing production practices, sustainable agriculture requires a commitment to changing public policies, economic institutions, and social values. Strategies for change must take into account the relationship between agricultural production and the broader society.

The “food system” extends far beyond the farm and involves the interaction of individuals and institutions with contrasting and often competing goals including farmers, researchers, input suppliers, farm workers, farm advisors, processors, retailers, consumers, and policymakers.

A wide diversity of strategies and approaches are necessary to create a more sustainable food system. These will range from specific and concentrated efforts to alter specific policies or practices, to the longer-term tasks of reforming key institutions, rethinking economic priorities, and challenging widely-held social values. Areas of concern where change is most needed include the following:

- Food and agricultural policy. Policies are needed to simultaneously promote environmental health, economic profitability, and social and economic equity. For example, commodity and price support programs could be restructured to allow farmers to realize the full benefits of the productivity gains made possible through alternative practices. Government and land grant university research policies could be modified to emphasize the development of sustainable alternatives. Marketing orders and cosmetic standards could be amended to encourage reduced pesticide use. Coalitions must be created to address these policy concerns at the national level.

- Land use. Conversion of agricultural land to urban uses is a particular concern as rapid growth and escalating land values threaten farming on prime soils. Existing farmland conversion patterns often discourage farmers from adopting sustainable practices and a long-term perspective on the value of land. At the same time, the close proximity of newly developed residential areas to farms is increasing the public demand for environmentally safe farming practices. By helping farmers to adopt practices that reduce chemical use and conserve scarce resources, sustainable agriculture research and education can play a key role in building public support for agricultural land preservation. Educating land use planners and decision-makers about sustainable agriculture is an important priority.

- Labour. Policies and programs are needed to address this problem, working toward socially just and safe employment that provides adequate wages, working conditions, health benefits, and chances for economic stability. To be more sustainable over the long-term, labour must be acknowledged and supported by government policies, recognized as important and carefully considered when assessing the impacts of new technologies and practices.

Continued from Page 3SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURE - RESPONDING TO THE CHALLENGES FACING THE SECTOR

- Rural Community Development. Sustainable agriculture presents an opportunity to rethink the importance of family farms and rural communities. Economic development policies are needed that encourage more diversified agricultural production on family farms as a foundation for healthy economies in rural communities. In combination with other strategies, sustainable agriculture practices and policies can help foster community institutions that meet employment, educational, health, cultural and spiritual needs.

- Consumers and the Food System. Consumers can play a critical role in creating a sustainable food system. Through their purchases, they send strong messages to producers, retailers and others in the system about what they think are important. Food cost and nutritional quality have always influenced consumer choices. The challenge now is to find strategies that broaden consumer perspectives, so that environmental quality, resource use, and social equity issues are also considered in shopping decisions.

Source Document: What is Sustainable Agriculture-UC Davis Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program.

Strategies for change must take into account the relationship between agricultural production and the broader society.

Agricultural practice in a rural community

Market day - fresh produce for sale


PRICE COMPARISONS FEBRUARY 2014 VS MARCH 2014 ACROSS THE VARIOUS MARKETS

Commodity UnitNWM

February 2014

NWM March 2014

Farmers’ Markets February

2014

Farmers’ Markets March 2014

Municipal Markets February

2014

Municipal Markets March 2014

Vege-Marts

February 2014

Vege-Marts March 2014

Super- markets February

2014

Super- markets March 2014

ROOT CROPS

Carrot Pack 6.82 7.99 4.93 5.40 5.63 5.21 5.48 5.67 5.95 6.07

Cassava Kg 6.52 6.11 7.85 8.00 8.71 9.53 9.77 10.41 11.26 12.16

Dasheen(Local) Kg 8.87 8.53 11.34 11.77 10.86 10.14 12.08 9.81 15.47 20.62

Eddoes (Local) Kg 8.04 8.42 11.90 11.54 12.71 11.55 13.24 11.96 16.70 22.60

Sweet Potatoes (Local) Kg 5.38 7.05 8.61 9.65 8.54 10.59 9.99 10.86 13.09 16.44

Sweet Potatoes (Foreign) Kg 6.86 7.65 5.51 NA 8.07 13.18 8.47 11.02 11.48 15.43

Ginger Kg 11.35 11.90 14.33 15.32 17.56 19.03 21.20 21.51 26.44 26.98

CONDIMENTS

Celery Bndl. 16.80 19.51 1.82 1.97 1.65 1.86 1.85 2.10 2.37 2.55

Chive Bndl. 24.91 26.87 2.00 1.91 1.82 1.99 2.11 2.22 2.56 2.55

Hot Peppers Each 0.63 0.51 0.38 0.51 0.57 0.60 0.63 0.64 0.76 0.90

Shadon Beni Bndl. 11.24 11.00 3.02 2.96 2.00 1.81 2.43 2.79 2.34 2.11

Pimento Each 0.39 0.33 0.40 0.42 0.48 0.47 0.57 0.54 0.63 0.90

LEAFY VEGETABLES

Lettuce (M) Head 4.18 3.81 4.67 5.04 4.76 5.14 5.20 6.04 6.03 6.64

Patchoi Bndl. 5.24 4.49 6.00 5.19 6.12 5.80 6.74 6.42 7.69 8.05Amaranthus spp. (Spinach) Bndl. 5.73 4.41 6.06 5.55 6.21 6.01 6.99 6.71 8.33 8.64

Cabbage(Local) (Gn) Kg 9.43 8.06 12.59 12.12 12.19 12.04 13.35 12.44 15.63 16.35

Callaloo Bush (open) Bndl. 4.00 4.00 5.05 5.13 4.90 5.15 5.50 5.68 6.05 6.09

Callaloo Bush (roll) Bndl. 5.00 4.99 6.71 6.63 6.23 6.34 6.89 7.39 7.54 7.49

OTHER VEGETABLES

Bodi beans Bndl. 38.62 26.87 5.80 5.94 6.00 5.11 6.14 5.37 6.48 7.15

Caraille Kg 10.34 6.54 10.25 11.12 11.83 10.77 13.88 12.43 17.07 18.76

Cauliflower Kg 20.44 17.57 24.88 19.74 23.44 22.48 26.12 24.62 30.61 35.09

Cucumber Kg 6.08 5.79 10.36 9.39 8.35 9.88 9.00 10.19 10.78 13.57

Christophene Kg 6.09 6.46 12.40 11.62 11.52 10.34 13.07 11.30 18.41 19.17

Melongene (M) Kg 14.41 11.38 15.07 12.23 15.37 14.85 15.95 16.37 17.66 20.67

Ochro Each 0.40 0.27 0.35 0.38 0.42 0.40 0.48 0.46 0.51 0.52

Pumpkin Kg 9.64 8.01 9.26 9.62 9.07 10.62 9.44 12.03 9.81 13.54

Plantain (Ripe) Kg 10.16 8.89 11.02 11.32 11.69 13.10 13.14 14.45 16.02 16.45

Sweet Pepper (M) Kg 18.44 15.56 20.21 19.57 21.87 20.11 23.29 23.58 26.98 25.35

Seim Beans Kg 13.42 12.73 19.85 18.90 18.87 16.69 19.40 20.06 21.55 22.08

Tomato (M) Kg 9.69 10.14 15.71 10.90 16.72 12.37 19.10 12.87 24.32 18.95

FRUITS

Dry Coconuts Each 3.50 4.00 4.63 4.80 4.65 5.42 5.13 6.03 5.63 6.23

Banana (imported) Kg 8.34 8.77 11.02 10.78 10.12 10.96 11.00 11.66 11.73 12.17

Papaya Kg 5.85 5.77 7.96 7.98 7.87 8.83 9.16 11.12 11.25 12.69

Pineapple Kg 10.29 10.46 14.44 11.85 13.22 13.94 14.46 14.12 16.86 18.34

Watermelon Kg 5.87 4.02 6.06 5.51 8.38 6.14 9.44 8.72 10.39 10.08

CITRUS

Lime Each 1.53 1.98 0.64 1.14 1.12 2.31 1.20 2.29 1.49 2.59

Grapefruit Each 1.00 1.05 1.66 1.47 1.45 1.64 1.54 1.89 1.86 1.96

Orange Each 1.12 1.00 1.08 1.38 1.24 1.61 1.48 1.99 1.93 2.13


Brief History of Coconuts in Trinidad and Tobago

NAMDEVCO values the feedback from the readers of this newsletter and periodically we conduct a survey amongst the readership to gain valuable feedback and insights which is used to improve the quality of the product. During the month of May 2014, we shall be conducting a random telephone survey amongst readers and we seek your support in this exercise. Thanking you in advance for your understanding and assistance.

INFORMATION CORNER

Trinidad and Tobago’s Coconut industry came to prominence in the 19th century. In 1863, this country exported 226,791 dry nuts to England signalling the entry of Trinidad & Tobago into the world coconut trade. In 1901, there was 14,000 acres of land cultivated with coconuts in Cedros, along the coast of Galeota, Manzanilla and Mayaro. In 1910, two million pounds of copra were exported along with 3,332 gallons of coconut oil. By 1921, there were 30,000 acres under coconut cultivation in Trinidad and 10,000 acres under cultivation in Tobago. The highest acreage cultivated was 45,000 acres in Trinidad in 1930. For the next 12 to 26 years, large acreages succumbed to the Cedros Wilt Disease and those areas were re-planted with Sugar Cane. Production continued to decline steadily over the following years due to poor crop management and the devastating effects of the red ring disease, today, the production levels are at their lowest.

Today, there is less than 400 acres of productive coconuts cultivated in Tobago whilst In Trinidad; there is currently 12,000 acres under production of which 8,000 acres consist mainly of old and unproductive trees while 4,000 acres under cultivation have mature and young trees. The industry is currently generally old, unimproved and in need of rehabilitation.

Through an initiative of the Ministry of Food Production, an agricultural specialist Dr Avvaru Sujatha was brought into the country in 2012 to conduct research on formulating a biological agent to control and eliminate the red palm mite. To reinvigorate the coconut industry that has suffered a decline over the years mainly due to the red palm mite infestation, the Caribbean Agricultural Research and Development Institute (CARDI) and the St. Patrick’s Coconut Growers Cooperative Society Limited signed a General Agreement for Technical Cooperation in 2013.

It is to be noted that the coconut plant is very versatile, every piece of the coconut has productive use:- from the water being used as a health drink, the trunk for rope and furniture manufacturing. Additionally, coconut milk from the mature coconut is used to make extra virgin coconut oil whilst the coconut meat is grated or flaked for use in baked goods or candies. The dried meat, called copra, contains over 60% oil which is used in making soaps, cooking fat, margarine, cosmetics, lubricants, and many other products. Fibre from the coconut husk is used to make mats, brushes, cordage and packaging material for plants.

The growth of the coconut industry is affected by three main diseases namely: Lethal

Yellowing, Red Ring Disease and Cedros Wilt. Brammer and Crow, (2001) indicated that 35% of young coconut trees are killed by the red ring disease. It was further highlighted that one plantation in Tobago suffered an attack of this red ring disease and lost 80% of its coconut trees. Controlling the vector that causes the spread of the red ring disease involves the removal and destruction of trees that shows symptoms of the disease. This phytosanitary method halts the spread of the disease to neighbouring trees and increases the survival rate of the estate.

Copra is currently used by Coconut Growers Association (CGA) to produce a few high-value products such as soaps, margarine and cooking oil. In Trinidad & Tobago, there exists a healthy and insatiable appetite for coconut water which is seen as the next ‘best health drink’. The country currently imports the majority of its coconut water supplies and one of the country’s largest bottling establishments has recently established a large acreage for future production. Notwithstanding, there exists tremendous potential for the revitalization of this sector and the development of value added products with the potential for earning huge revenues.

volume 12 no. 3 march 2014 - namistt · 2015-03-04 · volume 12 no. 3 march 2014 · to improve...

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