SEAZONZ HYDROPONIC FARM, located in the heart of Antigua produces a variety
of “Lactuca Sativa” commonly known as lettuce.
The conceptualization of this farm began a little over a year ago and in the middle
of the global pandemic by three women.
Roberta Williams, former Executive Director of Gilbert Agricultural and Rural
Development Centre (GARDC) in collaboration with her very close friends Margo
Flax Forde, former Agricultural Technician within the Ministry of Agriculture and
her sister Carolyn Flax McCoy who was a Banker for over 35 years.
All shared their reasons for such a timely project.
“They came up with the idea of the hydroponic farm and got me involved. It fits
right in since retiring from the bank after 35 years, it’s great being out of doors.
It’s great learning, I am learning from them, they are the better scientists” Carolyn
admitted.
Although there are seven types of hydroponic systems to choose from, the one
used at Seazonz is called the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT).
This is a technique where a shallow stream of water containing all the dissolved
nutrients required for plant growth is circulated through the roots of the plants in
water channels.
The six other available “hydroponic techniques” are the Kratky method, deep
water culture (DWC), wick system, ebb and flow (or flood and drain), drip system
and aeroponics.
Presently, the ladies are producing five types of lettuces which are Nevada,
Tropicana (these are green leafy lettuces), Cherokee and Red Fire (these are
smaller leaves and mostly of a red or reddish colour) and “Dov” which is a
Romaine lettuce.
They also created a special salad blend which can be purchased at 1st Choice
Supermarket.
This blend seems to be doing very well on the market as more and more requests
and orders are being received.
In terms of the production of Lettuce, the first stage involves the sowing of the
seeds which are obtained locally and from the U.S.A.
“We have tried various varieties over the year and are still trying to determine
our best types” Margo said.
The seeds are allowed to germinate in rockwool cubes then three weeks later,
the seedlings are placed into the growing out channels for another week.
Rockwool is a widely used substrate for commercial horticulture for the
production of crops such as lettuces, herbs, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and
also for cut flowers.
At four weeks, the seedlings are once again transferred into the final channels.
Throughout the propagation of the lettuces, the same amount of nutrients is
applied.
“Basically, we apply the same nutrients throughout, we know there are different
thoughts on this matter but here at Seazonz, we use the same nutrient solution
to supply nutrients at all the different stages” explained Margo.
Meanwhile, it was determined that a proper and continuous source of good
quality water is the main challenge.
Overtime, water from a variety sources was used but it was evident to the ladies
that “Rain water” gave the best yield and they would welcome any assistance to
mitigate against having a water crisis which could severely inhibit the lettuce
production.
“At this time of the year where the evaporation and transpiration of water is
very high, we have a greater need for water” she added.
This is an impressive farm with tremendous potential and the work done here by
the ladies is indeed commendable.
One would think that with the absence of tilling the soil, it would be easier work
and that might be so on the physical aspect however, it is quite a technical
operation, one that needs a lot of precision, scientific knowledge, patience and
commitment to survive.
“We were saying to ourselves, this was going to be much easier than farming in
the ground. Well yes, physically in some respects it is, but the technology that is
involved in getting the right mix of nutrients is critical. We have the proper
instrument to measure the EC and pH and this has to be done on a daily basis,”
said Roberta.
This farm was started in June 2020 with the appreciated assistance and support of
Ika Fergus, Wayne Gardener and Al Brazier, Dr Patrick Lay and a few others.
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Congratulations 👏 ladies!!!
Good way to go in these times, food security.
Congratulations ladies. This is the kind of local entrepreneurship the government should be supporting. Where is Samantha Marshall?
…and still, they want to tell “we” #Agriculture is dead, in sweet, sweet Wadadli!
This shows what I have been saying. It’s better to teach a man to fish than to give him something to eat. If these ladies can do it, then so can many other young persons’ find something to do and make a living for themselves. It is not so difficult. And the government has put in place financing through the PM Entrepreneurial Development Fund. I applaud these ladies for showing us that were there is a will there is a way.
“Where”
You have been saying a load of Dung.
@From The Sideline…please ponder on these sayings!
“…foolish pride, from this we as a People cannot hide!”
“…hypocrites and parasites, will come out and take a, take a bite;
but if night should turn to day, a lot of people would run away!”
“…memmey lippee neargah, ketch carn-mouth easy!”
At least, you have pride enough to speak your thoughts, unlike your chameleon buddy with #TenHues of a #Man!
Your thoughts, and I’ve being reading them since, OBSERVER NEWSROOM, I don’t recall you blogging in CARIBARENA NEWSROOM. Anyway, they’re short sighted, as they pertain to Agriculture and #AQUA-CULTURE(I’ve explained to you the significance of REDONDA, as it pertains to the development of this section of the food security for Our Nation).
A…while loans are vital to give this forgotten industry a boost, the industry needs the same concessions given to FARMERS to backyards gardeners(Hotels to B&B), as those in the HOTEL/hospitality, B&B Industry!
Lester Bird should have married the Agriculture/Aqua Culture and Tourism Industry.
B…water in constant supply is very much needed. Again, the #Water #Catchment design needs to be brought up to the 22ND, yes 22ND Century technology(Long term infrastructural planning is woeful still, and water is the prime example.
C…The UWI – Antigua must take the lead in educating the population from pre-school to PhD and partnering with such University’s as Tuskegee University, North Carolina A&T etc.
U lub fu #cog, so guarne goh use dem #DRONES fu spread common sense! R we tired a de same old Bo Boy rice pudding and mah fart!
Time fu smell fruited fart!
@From The Sideline…please ponder on these sayings!
“…foolish pride, from this we as a People cannot hide!”
“…hypocrites and parasites, will come out and take a, take a bite;
but if night should turn to day, a lot of people would run away!”
“…memmey lippee neargah, ketch carn-mouth easy!”
At least, you have pride enough to speak your thoughts, unlike your chameleon buddy with #TenHues of a #Man!
Your thoughts, and I’ve being reading them since, OBSERVER NEWSROOM, I don’t recall you blogging in CARIBARENA NEWSROOM. Anyway, they’re short sighted, as they pertain to Agriculture and #AQUA-CULTURE(I’ve explained to you the significance of REDONDA, as it pertains to the development of this section of the food security for Our Nation).
A…while loans are vital to give this forgotten industry a boost, the industry needs the same concessions given to FARMERS to backyards gardeners(Hotels to B&B), as those in the HOTEL/hospitality, B&B Industry!
Lester Bird should have married the Agriculture/Aqua Culture and Tourism Industry.
B…water in constant supply is very much needed. Again, the #Water #Catchment design needs to be brought up to the 22ND, yes 22ND Century technology(Long term infrastructural planning is woeful still, and water is the prime example.
C…The UWI – Antigua must take the lead in educating the population from pre-school to PhD and partnering with such University’s as Tuskegee University, North Carolina A&T etc.
U lub fu #cog, so guarne goh use dem #DRONES fu spread common sense! R we tired a de same old Bo Boy rice pudding and mah fart! Cee-Back! Cee-Back!
Time fu smell fruited fart!
Roberta Williams …… u r my hero.
You are the most unselfish person I have ever met. U gave so much to this small country you need 2 b Knighted. You have asissted so many of our youths and adults.
May God Belss U and the team.
I second that. And what an honor that would be to be knighted by her ex-husband.
Well done ladies!! However, be careful as the PM is probably eyeing up your success so as to see how he can compete against you and cut into your profits.
good stuff
Those lettuce are looking very good. Antiguans eat them up fast. They are healthy for you.
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