MoA Interns Visit SHAADE Hydroponics

Hi would like to get into that

I applaud Sherrie-Ann from having reach this far in using new technologies that our farmers are refusing to use. You are demonstrating what is possible even though this is not your fulltime job. Imagine if this were your fulltime job. You would be supplying a great deal of the market with your produce.
Keep it up and be a leader.

Less we forget – I applaud her as well and you don’t have to try and pull down our hard working farmers to big her up.
There are products that are more sustainable growing directly in the soil. That is why Antigua black pineapple is so tasty- it’s our soil. Same thing with our sweet potato, carrots, yams- our soil. Of course hydroponics has its place. However there are so much can be done with producing or growing directly in the soil that is not feasible to grow hydroponically. To feed the almost 8 billion people in the world from an agriculture perspective do you think this can be done from growing hydroponically- not even 0.00001percent. If you look at the major staples – rice, wheat, flour, Irish potatoes these are grown in the soil. Let me go on our pumpkins , bananas, local roast corn, Avocados , oh my mangoes. The local drinks to wash down- ginger, passion fruit, sorrel – sure you can name them yourself.
So yes we are to applaud those that are using these technologies. However it’s only by hard core agriculture we can provide food security. Remember agriculture is poultry production, fishing , dairy production, meat production, sugar production and yes growing of sugar cane and cutting sugar cane is still profitable and meaningful agriculture. We were once the major producers/ exporters of sugar, we are now the importers. We don’t even grow it for our own consumption.
So I guess you would applaud the producers of meat in the lab. Yes they are growing burgers in the labs. They also call that agriculture technology. So applaud them and drag down our cattle farmers .
The farmers that work the soil are by far more important agriculturally than any hydroponics or any other form of agriculture production.
That is why you see tractors are being produced through the world by the millions. The young great African leader recently gave away hundreds of tractors to the farmers in his country. Farming in the soil is still the way to feed the nation.
Think poor people are looking lettuce to stop hunger. Even when we had two yard fowl was as important . UNTIL!

KUDOS TO THE LADY, and the interested and enthusiastic students!

DIRT IS NOT DIRTY!
DIRT IS ADAPTABLE & EARTHY!

@Frankly speaking…appreciating your insight. You’ve made some good points.
Less You Forget, and “WE” in Antigua have a way of tearing down the entire structure, including uprooting its footing, just to do regular maintenance and upgrade. I call it, The #Educated_Dunce Syndrome.

One of the main problem with Agricultural development in Antigua, Barbuda & REDONDA is the lack of support by the government(s) in the schools from preschool to University students and those farmers with their boots on the ground.

I can recall asking Lester Bird, in 1998 or 1999 when he was visiting the Embassy in DC, Ms. Lovelll was at the helm at the embassy then…
“Mr. Bird, look ahead fifty(50) years from now, what vision do have for the Agriculture and Aquaculture Industries in our Nation?”
Lester looked me dead in the eyes and said, “The Jews will fly in our food from Miami.”

The Rastafarian Community’s for decades, since, the days of JUNGLE beseeched, begged, hounded many in the government(s) for land and some assistance with such things, as cleaning ghauts, ponds etc.; such only began coming recently with the legalization of the female hemp and even now, they are still subjected to the slave plantation model.

None of the Antigua, Barbuda & REDONDA’s governments, of the past were serious about agriculture. While this has changed slightly with the Gaston Browne administration, and this is due to more than likely deals made with the Chinese and those made with the MARIJUABA KARTELS from abroad as well.
Recently, Farmer Browne was #gung_ho about starting and operating a farm, what ever became of said farm?
Maybe @Less We Forget can give up, the inside scoop from the acquisition of these arable farm lands to the infrastructure (lights, water, roads), all the way, to the alleged SALE, of the said Farm.

@Less We Forget, do you think you can assist us, by writing an editorial or opinion piece, on Farmer Browne and his Agriculture Venture? Please supply all relevant sources of verifiable information.

HYDROPONICS FARMING IS NOT CHEAP!
The Flowers Industry is a US$35 Billion Industry, just from the growing standpoint. It gets even higher when it’s produced for the cosmetic, and now the EDIBLE FLOWERS markets. Poultry farmers feed their chickens such things as rose petals and animal farmers will plant flowers and herbs for their livestock to graze on, as they help with certain parasites.
Goat lub cassi flowers and the pods even when they’re dried for a reason!
So yes, Big Up to hydroponics; it has it rightful place in FOOD SECURITY, but it can never replace the earth’s earthy concoctions.

By the way, billionaires like Gates, Musk, Zuckerberg, etc are not gobbling up FARM LANDS by the thousands of acres just for show. They’re thinking FOOD on earth from the earth.

Jumbee_Picknee aka Ras Smood
De’ole Dutty Peg🦶🏽Garrat_Bastard

Vere Edwards