Siddiqui Sylvester started farming in 1990, in a small orchard with various fruit trees containing soursop, mangoes, cashew nut and others. However, after the passage of Hurricane Ivan in 2004, he stopped farming, only resuming in March of 2020.
An advocate for maximizing the benefits of local herbs, Sylvester is a cultivator of many species, including Tarragon , Basil, Santa Maria, Turmeric, Stinging Nettle, Venn-Venn, Lemon Grass.“When I lived in the United States, I saw people paying lots of money for things like Lemon Grass; I realized that more and more people were becoming health conscious . I thought about the teas that you can drink, that can help and decided to go that direction,” he explained.
In managing his farm, Siddiqui says inorganic fertilizers are not used; Chicken Manure and other natural types of fertilizers are preferred. This is combined with the use of wood chippings, that help to control the growth of weeds.
The aim is to get the herbs into bags, that can be purchased by locals as well as tourists. “When you come to Grenada, you don’t just get a spice basket with some nutmegs or spices together, but you will be getting some of the Natural Herbs – Moringa, Basil, whatever it is. You will get lots of it.”
Concentration at this time, Sylvester explained, is on the local market. He said, “At this time, the products are getting tested by the Bureau of Standards, we are hopeful that in the very near future we can launch the products and have them on the shelves and in the hands of vendors who sell to tourists.”
He affirms his contribution to the food chain as being small. He wants to use his herbs to move from the garden directly to the consumer and cut the long chain between production, processing,and end user,to make agriculture successful for the persons who invest in it.
His innovation towards processing of the herbs is using Solar Energy and Solar Driers. His aspirations are to be one of the main producers of “medicinal herbs, that are certified locally and on the international market, so Grenada can get the benefits from the agriculture we are engaged in.”
In addition to the wide variety of herbs , he cultivates several cash crops on his 5-acre plot, employing three persons fulltime. Sylvester believes that suitable pre-conditions need to be developed in the sector for young persons to become interested.
MANAGEMENT OF BURNING DISEASE IN TANNIA: Tip from Agronomist Troy Augustine
- Tolerant cultivars
- Clean, disease-free planting material
- High soil fertility
- Use of Ridomil, Rizolex or Acrobat fungicides as a soil drench
- The field must be well drained and easily cultivated.
- Waterlogged soil conditions favour the development of the fungus that causes the disease. Select a field which enjoys moderate rains throughout the year. A location with moderate rains, 140 – 200 cm (56 – 80 inches) during the growing season is ideal.
Distribution of COVID 19 packages continued in the parishes of St. Mark and St. John with over 60 families receiving support last week. This initiative is a collaboration between SAEP and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Wet Cocoa Purchasing Day .
Wednesday 3rd.
Brothers 8am -12pm
Diamond 1pm- 4pm
Planting Days: November
7th – 8th
Good days for planting peas, squash, corn, tomatoes, and other aboveground crops.
9th – 11th
A good time to kill plant pests or do plowing. Poor for planting.
12th – 13th
Extra food for vine crops. Favourable days for planting aboveground crops.
14th – 15th
Seeds planted now will grow poorly and yield little.
