(MOA Basseterre, St. Kitts, 07 April 2025):
In a continued effort to strengthen the native agriculture sector and enhance pineapple manufacturing, the Authorities of St. Kitts and Nevis, by the Division of Agriculture, efficiently hosted a hands-on pineapple coaching session on the Tabernacle Outreach Centre on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The session types a part of the federal government’s broader initiative to help farmers by technical help, with a give attention to rising productiveness and crop high quality throughout the island.
The coaching focused farmers who beforehand obtained pineapple suckers from the division. These contributors have been guided by key cultivation strategies to make sure profitable pineapple development and upkeep, with dwell demonstrations performed by the Agriculture Extension Officer for District 3 and facilitator of the pineapple coaching session, Mr. Dion Weekes. Whereas talking with the farmers, he emphasised the significance of maintaining the pineapples clear and “guaranteeing correct spacing—often 12 inches by 12 inches with a three-foot span between rows. These practices assist farmers handle manufacturing and enhance crop high quality,” he mentioned.
Past the technical ideas, Mr. Weekes confused the significance of monitoring for pests and ailments. “Pineapples might look tough, however they’re extremely inclined to pests like spiders, mice, ants, and fungi. It’s additionally vital to watch rainfall, as pineapples are vulnerable to rotting when uncovered to an excessive amount of water.”
Seeking to the longer term, Weekes was optimistic. He mentioned, “I really feel like pineapple manufacturing has a superb future in St. Kitts. We’ve an awesome market—proper now we will’t provide sufficient to satisfy native demand. We additionally talked about including worth by merchandise like slices, juices, and dices. Every pineapple plant can produce as much as 5 slips, so in 5 to 6 months, we might have 5 instances the crop we began with. From the extension finish, we plan to remain carefully linked with farmers and assist coordinate their efforts. The way forward for pineapple manufacturing in St. Kitts is trying nice.”
In the meantime, Damion Cannonier, a crop farmer who attended the session, welcomed the coaching and shared his appreciation for the dear information gained. Cannonier described it as each well timed and important. “The workshop was essential—there’s loads happening with the pineapples, particularly with the introduction of recent varieties. There have been issues I didn’t know, like learn how to deal with slips earlier than transplanting, learn how to induce flowering, or establish pests and fungal ailments. This coaching has been very useful. It’s positively going to enhance my farming practices.”
The coaching included finest practices for pest management, soil administration strategies, watering, and spacing to make sure optimum plant well being. The session additionally underscores the federal government’s steady dedication to empowering native farmers to fulfil market calls for and improve meals safety in St. Kitts and Nevis.
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