Three (3) Farmers receive Agro-Incentive Cheques from Agriculture Minister

June 12, 2020: At an Agro-Incentive and Lease Letter Ceremony held on Friday 12^th June, 2020, Senator the Honourable Clarence Rambharat, Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, presented Agro-Incentive cheques valued between $60,000- $100,000  to three(3) farmers. Also attending the ceremony which took place at corporate headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) in Chaguanas, was MALF’s Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Ms. Susan Shurland.

The Incentive Programme received more than 1,000 applications in the first few months following its launch in October 2018 and was intended to assist farmers who needed a particular intervention, eventually leading to increased production, sustainability, resilience to climate change as well as improvement in health and safety conditions.

Minister Rambharat, was optimistic that the agro-incentive will yield more successful applicants in the coming months and was particularly saddened by the nature of some of the applications which only highlighted the fact that persons were not clear as to the intent of the programme. He said: “One of the disappointments is that out of the 1,000 persons who applied, I found that most of them did not understand what the incentive was about. People wanted us to buy vehicles, seeds, seedlings and those things which a farmer was traditionally expected to buy from which there is already some level of support.” According to the Minister, the incentive was intended to be “focussed”, meaning, it is specifically targeted toward individuals who are innovative and motivated; therefore access to the incentive grant will assist them in becoming better farmers in the long term.

During the brief Ceremony, Minister Rambharat also distributed three (3) Lease Letters, conveying Cabinet’s approval to grant standard agricultural and residential leases to the aforementioned recipients, for an initial period of thirty (30) years. These letters, will empower farmers and other would-be tenants to engage public agencies and institutions relative to the conduct of business in respect to their respective parcels.

 

 

 

 

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MALF’s Forestry Division commemorates World Environment Day

with “Poui” Tree Planting Exercise

June 06, 2020:- In commemoration of World Environment Day (WED) which was celebrated on June 5^th (yesterday), members of staff of the Forestry Division of the Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries (MALF) undertook a Tree Planting Exercise at the Caura Recreation Site. In keeping with the Theme for 2020… “It’s Time for Nature”, Forestry employees planted the Apamate, “Pink Poui” (Tabebuia rosea) along the banks of the river bed, as this would bring long term benefits on the environment and also assist with the following:

• Replacement of dead/burnt and fallen trees.
• Increase the air we breathe/water quality/release terminal velocity.
• Increasing aesthetics of the area (stress relief).
• Soil retention (reduce erosion).
• Promote “inbound tourist” when stage six (6) of the COVID-19 Regulations is lifted.
• Provision of habitat/food for wildlife (birds, bees, squirrels).

The Apamate Tree, which is one of the most aesthetic species that can be seen along the Hillside of the Northern Range with its large pinkish flowers, belongs to the Bignoniaceae family, whilst Tabebuia is the Genus and rosea, the species from the French vernacular. It is a large introduced deciduous tree very similar to Yellow Poui, easily distinguished during the dry season by its pinkish, large flowers.

 

Click and see image of the Pink Poui via the link below:

https://landscapeplants.aub.edu.lb/Plants/GetPDF/bae39478-cfaa-4ae4-b958-0b0e726085a1

 

 

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3 held by Coast Guard officers after birds drowned at sea

 

Three men were held by the Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard (TTCG) after they were allegedly seen throwing wild animals overboard while at sea near Trinidad’s southwest coast.

According to a reliable source, Trinidad and Tobago Coast Guard officers were on patrol near Trinidad’s southwest coast when they observed a pirogue with three men, who appeared to be throwing things into the water.

They approached the vessel and realised that the men were tossing live animals overboard to drown.

The officers apprehended the men and retrieved the items from the water, however, most of the animals had died.

Photos shared with Loop News showed small mounds of dead parrots, small birds and other wildlife, which had been cruelly drowned

Loop News was told that the remaining animals were brought to the Cedros Base and handed over to game wardens. Charges against the men were expected to be laid later this week.

Minister of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries, Clarence Rambharat, said the heinous act will be pursued to the full extent of the law.

“It again highlights the extent of the trafficking fueled by demand locally for illegal and potentially diseased laden animals. Unfortunately, in this case the three persons dumped the birds leading to a complete loss. In prosecuting the matter I have asked our Game Wardens to highlight the callous way in which this illegal trade is conducted.”

 

$5,000 for a bird

Loop News was told that the illegal wildlife trade has long been in existence due to the demand by Trinidadians for singing birds as well as exotic pets such as macaws and parrots.

The source, who preferred to remain anonymous, said some birds could fetch as much as $5,000 if they were songbirds, hence the continued poaching and illegal sale of these animals.

What Trinidadians don’t know, however, is the inhumane treatment the animals are made to undergo in order to be sold here.

“With baby macaws, the only way to get them is to cut the tree down or climb the tree and take them away from the parents. For a baby monkey, poachers have to kill the mother, because she will protect her babies with her life.”

“Also, the process of transporting them is terrible, under very inhumane conditions. Then these poachers have to wait for a trader from Trinidad. During this time they are underfed and badly kept, and then while transporting them, traders try to conceal them and keep them in any way possible, and in many cases the animals die before then can even reach Trinidad.

Loop News was told that this thriving illegal trade continues, and on a few occasions, such as in this instance, Coast Guard officers were able to catch the perpetrators in the act.

The public is being urged not to support this illegal wildlife trade.

“We need to stop the demand, people need to become aware of the importance of our wildlife and the fact that when they buy these exotic animals, the method that goes towards getting those animals from their habitats to their houses is a very cruel process.”

“They think it’s cute and adorable, but they don’t know what happens for example when a baby monkey (an animal which is in demand) becomes mature, it becomes very aggressive, and that’s when people don’t want them anymore.”

Anyone with information on the illegal capture or sale of wildlife is urged to contact the Trinidad and Tobago Police Service on 555, 999 or 800-TIPS, or the Wildlife Section at the Forestry Division on 662-5114 or 645-4288.

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Site Selection – Planting and Maintenance of Fruit Trees

We have discussed planting seedlings, seeds and cuttings. However, there are very few homes in our beautiful country that does not have a fruit tree in its yard. So how do we plant fruit trees?

Transplanting Fruit Trees
• Choose trees that suit the space
• Plant trees at least 8m (25ft) away from all structures to prevent damage by roots
• Ensure trees are staked 15 cm from its base to secure it from toppling
• Dig a hole large enough to facilitate the whole root ball with extra space for the stake
• Add 2 parts soil to 1 part manure and 30 g of 12:24:12  fertilizer and add to planting hole

 

Soil and Water Conservation

If you are planting on hillsides there are several management practices that aide in soil and water conservation

• Crop Rotations
  • Relay planting (sowing second crop while the first is still in the ground)
  • Contour cultivation and planting
  • Use of organic matter ( improves soil structure, fertility and moisture holding capacity)
  • Laying crop residue or mulch on exposed soil (impede water flow)
  • Diversification of farm enterprise
  • Maintenance of forest at the upper end of slopes
  • Protection of land with cover crops during fallow period
  • Confinement of animals so they do not cause erosion or compaction of soil

 

Please see our Home Gardening Album for relevant factsheets pertaining to this video https://www.facebook.com/pg/ETIS-Division-103936031246037/photos/?tab=album&album_id=118130909826549

 

Video – Site Selection Planting and Maintenance of Fruit Trees

https://www.facebook.com/103936031246037/videos/vb.103936031246037/221413072254833/?type=2&theater

 

Information courtesy the Extension Training and Information Services (ETIS) Division

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries

Management of Pests and Diseases

What are Pests?

Pests are organisms (weeds, insects, animals) that cause damage to crops. They affect the plant’s growth and vigour, reduce yields and may even kill the plant.

 

Types of Pests
• Insects- Aphids, beetles, caterpillars,
• Insect-like organisms –mites, spiders
• Weeds
• Molluscs- Snails and slugs
• Vertebrates- Birds
• Mammals- Rats and Mongoose

 

How Do Pests Damage Plants
Pests cause damage to Plant roots, stems, leaves, flowers, fruits and seeds.

Insects are the most common pests.
Eaten, damaged, distorted or discoloured plant parts may be a sign of insect damage. The nature of the damage is determined by the mouthparts of the insects.

 

Three (3) Types of Mouth Parts:

MOUTHPARTS & ACTION: Biting and Chewing
PEST: Caterpillars, Beetles
DAMAGE:
• Ragged edges of leaves.
• Pieces of plant tissue missing
• Irregular holes in foliage or stem
• Missing leaves
• Leaves with “window panes” i.e. .showing bared veins (called leaf skeletonizing)
• Discoloured areas on the surface or margins of leaves or petals
• Wilted plants (from white grub damage or other root feeders).

 

MOUTHPARTS & ACTION: Piercing and Sucking
PEST: Aphids, Whiteflies
DAMAGE:
• Small dots on the surface of frits and leaves
• Leaf curling
• Deformed or stunted plants
• Wilting and ultimately tissue death
• Growth of black sooty mold fungus
• Some piercing and sucking insects can also inject toxic materials into the plants while feeding and some transmit disease organisms

 

MOUTH PARTS & ACTION: Rasping and scraping
PEST: Thrips, Mites
DAMAGE:
• Areas of discoloured tissue as if rubbed with sandpaper
• Silvery bronze leaf colour after the insect removes the top layer of the cells and sucks the cell contents
• Death of affected tissue which turns brown and tears easily
• Bleached and dry leaves

 

Video –Pest Management

https://www.facebook.com/103936031246037/videos/228882971683762/

 

Information courtesy the Extension Training and Information Services (ETIS) Division

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries

Planting/ Transplanting and Watering

Once you have chosen your planting material you have several methods of Planting or Transplanting

Methods:
• Direct Seeding
• Transplanting Seedlings
• Transplanting Cuttings
• Transplanting Suckers
• Transplanting Fruit Trees

Direct seeding has certain advantages and disadvantages

Advantages:
• Planted directly because of the large seed, so it has enough food reserves for the young plant to establish itself

Disadvantages:
• Require 3-4 times more seeds
• More weed control necessary
• More time and effort in pest and disease control

Transplanting Seedlings

• Ensure seedlings are hardened off
• Plant seedlings in the late afternoon
• Prepare the land or the containers for the plant
• Place stakes or supports for plants.

• Prepare the planting hole depending on the seedling size ( hole should be twice as large as the root ball
• Incorporate soil from hole with manure

 

Steps in Transplanting a Seedling

1. Remove the seedling from the seedling tray and loosen the medium around the root
2. Make a hole large enough for the root to comfortable fit into planting hole
3. Set the plant in the soil, keeping it level to the soil.
4. Do not bury the seedling too deep
5. Do not pile soil around the seedling stem
6. Lightly compress soil around seedling once planted.
7. Water seedling as soon as it is transplanted
8. Provide plant with a liquid fertilizer as a soil drench

 

Transplanting cuttings
• Sweet potato slips – 12” or 30 cm apart
• Cassava – 90 cm ( 3ft.) apart , at an angle 45degrees, leaving 2-3 nodes (eyes) above ground
• Yam setts – pieces or whole yam heads 90 cm (3ft.) apart on mounds.
• Dasheen – corms 30 cm- 60cm (1-2ft.) apart for leaves
– 90 cm (3ft.) apart for dasheen corms
• Ginger – plant pieces 60 cm (2ft) apart
• Eddoes – plant cormels 60cm (2ft.)
• Tannia – plant cormels 90cm (3ft. ) apart

 

Transplanting Banana/ Plantain Suckers
• Using a sharp straight cutlass or spade to remove the sucker ensuring that the corm remains intact
• Trim around the corm until white tissue is seen
• Cut off the top of the sucker
• Plant sucker 2-3 meters apart
• Prepare the planting hole 30cm x 30cm x30cm (1ft x 1ft x1ft)
• Mix the soil with 1tbsp. 12:24:12 and organic matter and place at base of planting hole
• Place sucker in planting hole and full around it with remaining soil mix, ensuring that the corm is covered.

 

Importance of Water for Plant Growth

• Solvent for minerals
• Transport of minerals and manufactured food
• Evaporation/ Cooling
• Plant structure & Turgidity ( pressure of water in the cells)
• Photosynthesis

 

Tips when Watering/ Irrigation

• Chlorine free water e.g. rain water is best
• Irregular watering puts plants under stress and causes:
– Flower drop
– Poor fruit development
– Stunted growth or even death

Methods of Watering
• Watering can- suitable for small garden or containers
• Garden Hose ( fan nozzle or spray attachment) for larger gardens
– Nozzle breaks the force of water
– Gentle flow rates of water don’t displace seeds
– Nozzels help reduce damage to seedlings (gentle/shower)

• Drip or Trickle irrigation- large/small areas has certain benefits
– Reduces water needed
– Water is placed where needed
– Reduces weed growth ( limited water for weeds on surface)
– Keeps leaves dry reducing fungal growth
– Reduces soil splash on to leaves

Alternative techniques for watering plants
• Ollas
• Self Watering Pots
• Self-watering Guttering System
• Soda Bottle/ Plastic Bottle Waterer

 

Video – Transplanting and Watering

https://www.facebook.com/103936031246037/videos/217270422863998/

 

Information courtesy the Extension Training and Information Services (ETIS) Division

Ministry of Agriculture, Land and Fisheries