In a press release the army said the project was done in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture. It utilises shaded cultivation; a modern farming system where the crops are grown in a sheltered environment using technology to divert the effects of excessive rainfall and sunlight.
The project started in October with the construction of the shaded facility. Cultivation started in November. The vegetables are being grown in elevated plant beds under a structure which is roofed with melted and woven UV resistant plastic. The elevated beds are to prevent water-logging which sometimes occurs at ground level planting. Cabbage, plum tomatoes, bull nose sweet peppers and lettuce are used for intercropping in the system and they have also given positive results.
Officer Commanding Agri Crops Captain James Fraser envisages an expansion of the project since the planting of the high-priced vegetables for the force’s consumption would cut down on its food bill. He said too that the army intends that its farm becomes a model facility in addition to its primary purpose.
Private Trevon Poole is tasked with the daily responsibility for the crops. The Guyana School of Agriculture-trained soldier explained that so far he has encountered no major challenges with the vegetables. He said he has the crops under constant observation in order to prevent weeds which harbour pests, from attacking them. Poole said the elevated beds have boosted irrigation and leads to a better yield. He said so far there has been no need to introduce insecticides since the leaf minor is the only known parasite and it is not present on a large scale.
