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| The Price of Freedom is Eternal Vigilance - John F. Kennedy |
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Agriculture: Drip Irrigation Rules The Day |
| Publishing date: 16.03.2007 09:54 |
Despite the prevailing drought conditions in Anguilla, agricultural plots in the Valley area abound with vegetables. This farming is helping to supply the local market – thanks to a number of small farmers using drip irrigation methods.
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Vegetable produce on Agricultural lands
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The vegetables - tomatoes, cabbage, broccoli and herbs in particular – are in cultivation on plots made available by the Agricultural Department. The vegetables are growing in plastic covered beds to stop the growth of weeds and the plants are fed by water hoses running at the roots as provided by irrigation system.
Last year a number of farmers lost much of their vegetable cultivation to flooding following rainy conditions and, in other cases, for some reason, the plots produced poor yields. This year appears to be different now with the mass of lush rows of greenery and the harvesting of good produce.
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Vegetable produce on Agricultural lands
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In the same area is a pilot banana project which is under the direction of the Agricultural Department. Many of the trees are in fruit and the small but very productive plantation easily catches the attention of passers-by.
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Vegetable produce on Agricultural lands
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The plants were imported and kept at the Department’s nursery for some time before planting on the demonstration plot. It is likely that the banana plot will be extended along the stretch of vacant land.
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Vegetable produce on Agricultural lands
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Meanwhile, on other nearby agricultural land (north-east of the Tourist Board Building), Walwyn Hodge, an avid planter of white local yams, recently harvested his crop with the assistance of a friend. The yield, though not very significant, due to a drop off of rain, was nevertheless encouraging.
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Walwyn’s yams at another plot
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Yams are usually planted by a number of local farmers around May/June. Over the years, when there was plentiful rain, there have been good yields. Walwyn’s friend recalled being told that one yam weighing some 60 pounds was harvested in the Valley Bottom. It was taken to England for an exhibition!
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