Bahamas Agricultural and Industrial Corporation (BAIC) has unveiled the first two of a series of greenhouses slated for the North Andros Agri-Industrial Park during a weekend growers seminar there.
Thirty growers from six Family Islands heard from professionals from Jamaica Drip Irrigation and the Jamaica Greenhouse Growers Association on the latest techniques for all-year farming.
The Andros greenhouses feature a 52-by-78-foot Israeli-designed self-ventilating metal model created especially for hurricane prone Caribbean countries. It was set up to show growers how it can be used to grow hydroponically, and in soil, whether in pots or in the ground, using the drip system which supplies nutrients to the roots of the plants.
The other is a wooden 30-by-90-foot structure constructed by Andros farmer and contractor Caleb Evans. It is to be used mainly to propagate fruit trees for distribution throughout the islands.
“The seminar was very informational, very encouraging,” said pineapple grower Diana ‘Lady Di’ Thompson out of North Eleuthera. “Greenhouse technology offers farmers a better and easier way to earn a living. That is the future for farmers in The Bahamas.
“The ability to grow more products in a smaller space during a longer season could mean an increase in income for farmers.” She is anxious to utilise the technology to take advantage of a demand for vegetables.
“Tomatoes come in season around January and by the end of March we don’t have any in the country unless we import them.
“What I am going to do, when those farmers who are growing them out in the field are ending their harvests, I will start putting in my seedlings so that all through the summer and through the winter I will be harvesting my green peppers and my tomatoes and my lettuce.”
Exuma Growers Association assistant treasurer Alvin Clarke found the seminar “very educational. This is exactly what I want to do. I am happy that BAIC was able to bring the information to us and help to cut down on all the intense research.
“Moreover, they had the specialists available who have been there and done that, so they can help us avoid their mistakes. I appreciate the whole event.” With eyes on tapping into the $500 million used to import food products, Clarke and a partner are planning a 60-by-150-foot green house for his farm in Exuma. Growers also came from New Providence, Abaco, Grand Bahama, and Andros
“I am very impressed. The work went just perfect,” said BAIC chairman Edison M Key. “One of the greenhouses is already in operation and the interest among Bahamian growers is growing.
“Once we get this style of farming established throughout our islands, we will be able to produce vegetables, for example, throughout the year instead of just seasonal.
“Moreover, farmers will be able to grow a lot of products in a small area. Using the drip irrigation system, the savings would be tremendous compared to the old overhead system.
“That would go a long way in increasing farmers’ income, increasing the quality of products reaching Bahamians’ table, and lowering the cost to householders.”
Deputy chairman Ronald Darville, general manager Benjamin Rahming, assistant general managers Judith Thompson (land) and Arnold Dorsett (agriculture) accompanied Mr Key.
Inter-American Institute for Co-operation on Agriculture representative, Dr Marikis Alvarez, also joined the team. Representing Jamaica Drip were vice president Dovi Ayalon and consultant Jervis Rowe, president of the Jamaica Greenhouse Growers Association.
“We wanted to get those attending the seminar aware of the greenhouse technology and its application in food production,” said Mr Rowe.
“The reception was great. They were all very interested. And the possibility of obtaining a very good greenhouse products in The Bahamas is alive and well.”
By Gladstone Thurston
Bahamas Information Services
