The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, has extended efforts to train farmers and technical staff in Soursop Production. This is aimed at developing a better understanding of key agronomic practices that can contribute and lead to increased production and improved qualities of the fruit, to help the country to maintain the current export market.
An engagement of stakeholders – farmers, extension officers and exporters – was held on Thursday 10th June ,in St. Andrew by the Ministry. The session provided relevant information on agronomic practices that must be utilised – from propagation to harvesting and marketing – to have a viable soursop Industry.
Senior Agricultural Officer, Lauren St. Louis, said, “This is an opportunity for us to assist our farmers to better their livelihoods, improve their cultural practices and to boost the economy,” as she reminded stakeholders that Grenada has a unique opportunity, as it is the only country which can export fresh soursop to the US Market; a unique market position that it can continue to capitalize on and fully exploit the demand.
Following up on research and development in other countries and the use of science and technology for Soursop Production, Chief Agronomist , Allison Haynes, identified a number of critical areas that farmers must get right . These included the incorporation of important macro and secondary nutrients during the lifecycle of a soursop tree.
She explained to stakeholders,” Nitrogen and Potassium are nutrients that soursop like; these are things we must incorporate to improve our quality; these are also important for size and taste as well. Calcium is also important as well, for the formation of the cell walls in fruits and curing injuries; so these are things we must consider when fertilising our trees.” Presentations were also made by the Supervisor for the Northern Agricultural District, Maximus Lazarus, and Francis Noel focusing on Land Preparation and Pest and Disease management respectively.
“This session is our way of giving greater attention to the Soursop sector; That is why we have looked today at areas suitable for soursop production-spacing of the plot 18 X 18 , layout of the field and intercropping; we want to ensure that all the farmers are producing Soursop that is marketable,” Lazarus said. ” Soursop is a very lucrative crop but farmers have to be aware of the pests and disease and control measures, so we can take advantage of the market we have,” said Noel.
The Ministry is hopeful that the practical demonstrations made to stakeholders during the training will be implemented in various phases of Soursop production, to increase production levels and increase quality of the fruit, to help the country maintain the current market demands.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands and Forestry, continues to provide technical support to farmers through the extension department ; duty- free concessions on agri-puts and vehicles for agricultural purposes ; the technical guide on Soursop Production that has also been developed for farmers and gardeners; along with thousands of Soursop plants that will be available for sale at subsidized costs of $2.00 per plant , during the annual plant distribution season next month.
