Regional Ministers of Agriculture and Heads of Governments approved of a Post COVID Response Plan.
In the Plan, there is a clear articulation of the value of exploring opportunities for waste management and the capture of opportunities and benefits from the effective management of same.
Regional governments have identified the critical importance of generating revenue from various avenues given the loss of revenue generating opportunities from loss of established markets normally available via the tourism industry.
As such, commercialization of waste management can contribute significantly to this process.
Through this agreement, a program was developed under the IICA technical cooperation project “Bio economy for production”. A practical exercise took place at Grandads Garden Goodness in November where they were able to get an understanding of the different types of composting as well as the dos and donts of composting.
Plastic to cover the compost that will help maintain the heat and a 50-foot hose to help in irrigating the compost whenever the temperature increases were given to the participants.
The inputs will help in offsetting the costs of certain items so that the gardeners are better able to sustain their compost bins and backyard gardens.
Backyard Garden Facilitator, Efuru Elihu attached to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Extension Division explained that composting is highly encouraged in backyard gardening as it is an organic fertilizer.
“We are trying to eliminate the excessive use of synthetic fertilizers, so implementation of composting is greatly pushed for backyard gardeners.” Elihu also expressed that backyard gardening is eating straight from the garden to the pot so it is more beneficial to use more organic fertilizers for backyard gardening to enhance food security and also the many health benefits of eating what you grow.
National Specialist for the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture, Craig Thomas explained that they have invested inputs into the participants that will support the backyard gardeners who are making use of composting.
Backyard Gardener and Agriculture Science Teacher, Memicah Severin expressed that she has always grown her own food at home and found the training to be very helpful and interesting and many of the things she learned she will be teaching her students in the coming school year.
Backyard gardener Laureen Graham expressed her gratitude to IICA and the Ministry of Agriculture for the initiative and the training provided to them as it was very helpful and not only will she make use of it but she will also share the knowledge she has obtained.
Blair Christian, full time backyard gardener encourages other persons to start composting, as it is the way to go especially as it reduces the need for synthetic fertilizers and gives added nutrients as long as it is done the right way.
Advertise with the mоѕt vіѕіtеd nеwѕ ѕіtе іn Antigua!
We offer fully customizable and flexible digital marketing packages.
Contact us at [email protected]
