She loved her job as a security officer, but 49-year-old Cathy Ann Daniel was forced into the field of farming, as she was unable to secure employment in her field of choice to her age.
However, for the past 15 years, this Pearls resident have found joy and stability in planting her own food.
“To get a job was kind of hard for me, so I thought being self-employed would have been better for me.”
According to Daniel, she plants a wide variety of crops but loves putting her time and energy into Ochras.
“It has less work and it’s a faster selling crop.” Along with her crops like corn, butternut squash, pumpkin, eggplant, and root crops, she has plans of getting into watermelon, cauliflower.
Her biggest challenge as a farmer is readily accessible water.
“Most of the times when the plants getting ready, they don’t get sufficient water, so I don’t get good quality for the market,” she said.
Though she has the issue with water, the practice of mulching has contributed well to the growth of her crops.
“When I mulch, I use less water. I use dried grass and other stuff to conserve water,” she said.
Her five-year plan includes getting into rainwater harvesting and rearing of pigs as a means of maximizing her vegetable production.
Daniel is currently a beneficiary of the Climate Smart Agriculture and Rural Enterprise Programme (SAEP) and was recently assisted in the construction of a compost heap.
She had this to say about the initiative.
“Most of time when I have to plant, I use the same manure, but I have to buy it from farmers. As I am now able to do it myself, it will assist me greatly, so I am grateful,” she said.
It has not been an easy journey for her, but she had some advice for prospective farmers, especially women:
“Farming is a good thing.; it brings in an income. You may not get it the way you expect it but at the end of the day, you always have something coming in, it doesn’t matter how small it is. So, I would encourage young people, women, who is unemployed, and they are home, start somewhere and eventually, by the grace of God, you will make it.”
Things to note about Daniel:
• She loves planting ochra
• Mulching is her best farming practice
• She hopes to get into rainwater harvesting and pig rearing
TECHNICAL TIPS ON PLANTING YAMS IN GRENADA
SITE SELECTION:
• Loose deep, fertile clay loan soil is preferred
• Avoid steep, stony, gravely or waterlogged soil
• A sell well-distributed rainfall of at least 60 inches is required
LAND PREPARATION
• Prepare land early (March/April), using a fork or tractor to plough the area, then make ridges or mounds (hills).
• Establish drains where necessary
• Space ridges 3-4 feet apart and mounds about 4-6 feet apart
PLANTING DAYS: March
6th – 8th: Any root crops that can be planted now will do well
9th – 10th: A barren period, best suited for killing plants pests. Do plowing and cultivating
11th – 12th: Good for planting cucumbers, melons, pumpkins, and other vine crops. Set strawberry plants. Good days for transplanting. Favourable days for planting beets, carrots, peanuts and other root crops.
