RADA St. Thomas Parish Office Trains Farmers in Post-Hurricane Fruit Tree Resuscitation

Approximately 70 farmers in St. Thomas and neighbouring parishes are now better able to manage their operations, following a Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) fruit tree resuscitation training exercise on Wednesday (August 28).

The session, organised by RADA’s St. Thomas parish office, was held in Norris, Yallahs, and featured information-based and practical sessions moderated by key stakeholders. The event formed part of post-Hurricane Beryl recovery efforts.

Land Management Officer at RADA’s St. Thomas office, Monifa Newman, told JIS News that following Beryl, “it was observed that most of the fruit trees had broken branches, which caused a majority of the fruits to be laying on the ground”.

“The aftermath of such storms can leave trees vulnerable to diseases, reduce their productivity and affect the overall health of the orchard. I believe that a resuscitation training is crucial to help farmers and gardeners effectively restore their trees and minimise long-term damage,” she added.

Ms. Newman explained that consequent on the training, the farmers are now equipped with the knowledge and skills to rehabilitate damaged fruit trees and can better assess damage, perform proper pruning techniques, stabilise and support weakened trees, and manage post-storm care to ensure that trees recover fully and continue to produce fruit.

Among the enthused participants paying keen attention to the presenters during the interactive session was farmer, Winsome Walker of Heartese in St. Thomas, who, over the past 20 years, has cultivated onion, cabbage, Pak choi, hot pepper and sweet pepper.

“It was quite informative. I learnt, especially about the pruning, in terms of how you bud the trees to enhance production and how to keep them at a certain level to encourage wider spread instead of them growing all the way up. Outside of that, I enjoyed the day, sharing with other farmer colleagues,” she told JIS News.

Ms. Walker said she opted to get into farming because “I want to help to feed the nation and feed myself”.

For Ishanna Myles, leaving her home in Portland from 7:00 a.m. to journey to St. Thomas for the training was a worthwhile choice, as she has gained valuable knowledge that will make her a better farmer.

Ms. Myles plants short-term crops such as Pak choi, pepper, okra and gungo peas, as well as longer term crops like plantain, breadfruit, mango and ackee.

She learned about the session through fellow farmers in St. Thomas.

“It was extremely helpful, and I liked the encouragement they gave us that farmers can make more money by coming together in community groups instead of individually,” the farmer of 15 years told JIS News.

The day’s slate of activities also included the main presentation by Senior Agronomist, Locksley Waites, who discussed the Agriculture Ministry’s New FACE of Food initiative and led the practical sessions on fruit tree pruning.

Other presentations were made by representatives of DELTA Supply Company Limited, the Jamaica Fire Brigade, and the Jamaica Constabulary Force’s Praedial Larceny Unit.

Members of the Forestry Department were also actively involved in the day’s proceedings.