Outdated farming system a contributory factor to reduced production in Pomeroon

May 03, 2019 News

Over a number of years, the Pomeroon had grown quite popular for its ability to produce some of Guyana’s finest ground provisions, citrus, coconuts, coco and even Coffee. As of recent, however, the Pomeroon’s capacity to produce these fine delicacies seems to be somewhat dwindling.
Following a field visit conducted yesterday by the National Agricultural Research and Extension Ins

“A farmer interacting with NAREI officers yesterday.”

titute [NAREI], it was concluded that production within the riverine community has decreased tremendously due to the ‘aging agriculture practice’ still being used.
Based on reports, there are more than 800 farmers in the Pomeroon River. There is believed to be more than 150 farmers within the Jacklow area. Jacklow is located some one mile from Charity. During a visit to this area yesterday, it was observed that most of these farms, like many other within the Pomeroon, have been established for over thirty to forty years.
Within this time period, there appears to be little or no replanting of fruit trees.
In addition, there was no proper husbandry practice, or little or no fertilizer use, says a NAREI officer. With the fertility of the soil rapidly depleting, and with no replenishing, production has significantly declined.
The officer also stressed that aged plants are easily affected by pests and diseases. Some of the diseases observed during the field visit, yesterday, included the wood termite, an insect which feeds on the citrus and pear plants, Die-Back often referred to as the Dry stem and Dry Limb, and the black sigatoka, which affects growth and production of sucker plants.
A farmer for a number of years said that her four acres of cultivated crops have been producing poorly. She added, “I use to get 40lb to 50lb from a bunch of bananas. Now it is way less. The dry stem disease is also a big problem to the orange trees and pear; even the new trees that growing then not really growing; the leaf turning.”
Another woman who cultivates a five-acre plot also has the same problem with her crops. She told this publication yesterday that her trees were about 20 to 30 years old. She noted, however, that there is a ¼ acre of new citrus crop, which she says will require a three-year period before production.
NAREI stressed the need for improved field sanitation and proper drainage system, which will tremendously reduce flooding. It was also suggested that farmers replant new seedlings, which will replace plants that would’ve outlived their productive lifespan.
An officer added, “Farmers need to implement a fertilization programme, accompanied simultaneously by a pest and disease management programme… Young plants will be more vigorous in terms of growth and production, and their resistance to pest and disease.”
Farmers who request technical support and advice are being advised to visit the Charity Extension office or call the office number.

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