Party comprised:      Ms. Valerie Garrido Lowe – AFC M.P.

Walter Matadial, Agricultural Scientist

Clyde Edwards Tourism, Undergraduate U.G., AFC Region #8 Councillor

Andrew Correia, Helpers Treasurer and AFC activist

 

Duration of visit:      June 28, to July 4, 2014

 

Activity No 1:

The Team held a Coffee Morning and Raffle on June 29th at Santa Rosa Mission in aid of repairs to the Priest’s Residence. One hundred and seventy-five thousand ($175,000) was raised and presented to the Parish Priest, Fr. Wilian.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Team with prizes

 

 

 

 

 

 

Winner of the silver pendant with the tiny diamond donated by AFC treasurer, Dominic Gaskin

 

 

 

 

 

 

A section of the Santa Rosa parishioners – In the front row: Jackie and Helen along with their daughters

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie G. Lowe M.P. handing over proceeds from the event to Parish Priest, Fr. Wilian

 

Activity No. 2:

A farmer’s meeting was held at Moruca on June 30th.  Forty two (42) farmers attended.  Walter Matadial conducted a seminar on coffee and sorrel production and advised on plant production techniques.

 

 

 

 

 

Walter Matadial speaking at the Farmers’ Seminars at Kumaka, Moruca

 

 

 

 

 

V.G. Lowe speaking at the Farmers’ Seminars at Kumaka, Moruca

 

Ms. Garrido-Lowe explained the marketing possibilities of sorrel and emphasized the need for a group formation to benefit from an export market for sorrel. Packets of seeds of sorrel, ochro, bora and hot peppers were distributed to all participants.

Farmers said that acoushi ants and marketing are the main problems affecting increased production. The staff was on leave when the visit was made but farmers said that they would like to receive more input from the agricultural staff by way of visits, seeds or acoushi ants bait. Two farm visits were made.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walter examining an orange tree at Rosie’s farm at Kumaka, Moruca

 

Activity No. 3:

The party departed Moruca on July 1st for Kwebana, 22 miles away, travelling in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. On the way, six miles away from Moruca, Ms. Garrido-Lowe delivered two boxes of text books at the Karaburi Primary School on behalf of the AFC. This was upon the request of a teacher of the school. This gesture was highly appreciated by the headmistress and the teacher.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Valerie G. Lowe, M.P. – donating books on behalf of AFC to the

HM (in green top) and another staff of Karaburi Primary School

 

The 22 miles trip took 2 ½ hours because of the terrible condition of the Kumaka Kwebana road.  At several points the vehicle had to be put into 4 wheel drive.

Activity No.4:

At Kwebana the Party was joined by Mr. Jeremy Garrido, Agricultural Extension Officer. The Party informed the residents of the seminar on the next day. At the seminar fifty three (53) farmers were informed on coffee and sorrel production. Farmers brought infected samples and advice was given on control practices.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Walter explaining about the different types of pests and how to control them

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Participants of the Kwebana Seminar

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

“There is no market for our cassareep”, says this lady.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A farmer expressing his frustration about the marketing woes of the village

 

Ms. Garrido-Lowe emphasized the importance of group activity in production and marketing.

All the farmers received a packet each of sorrel, ochro, bora and hot pepper seeds.

The challenges farmers outlined are: marketing, deplorable road condition to Moruca, wild animals destroying their farms, inaccessibility to farm supplies and acoushi ants destruction.

The Agricultural Officer said that at present there are 200 acres of cassava and 30 acres of citrus. The citrus was donated by the Ministry of Agriculture about six years ago and are now coming in to production. Some will be sold to the school feeding programme but market has to be found for the bulk of the produce.

 

 

 

 

 

 

An abundance of citrus

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three farm visits were made with the guidance of the Agricultural Extension Officer

 

General observation and conclusion:

1.      The swing fog machine needs servicing.

2.      The citrus needs pruning.

3.      In 6 months time there will be a surplus of citrus. (The school feeding programme purchases supplies from the farmers).

4.      Items intended for export should be non-bulky and non perishable e.g. dried sorrel, casareep, cassava bread and coffee.

5.      The Agric. Ext. Officer expertise and stipend should be upgraded. At present he receives a stipend of $15,000 per month and sometimes he has to travel to Moruca to collect same, expending $6,000 for a return trip.

6.      The Ext. Officer needs transportation (ATV) so as to visit farms that spread over a six mile radius.