Dominican farmers to engage in ‘Natural Alternative Inputs Training’ workshop by Agriculture Division

Dominican farmers will have the opportunity to engage in a ‘Natural Alternative Inputs Training’ workshop, being hosted by the Division of Agriculture, will on Thursday June 23, 2016, as part of efforts towards achieving greater self-sufficiency and sustainability.
 
The workshop which is hailed as a ‘Natural Alternative Inputs Training’, is aimed at showing farmers the importance of tea manures, farm-made pesticides and fungicides, among other topics of interest.
 
This forms part of the Black Sigatoka Disease Management Practices or Techniques. The training will take place on the holding of Delless Warrington in Fond Hadge, Calibishie, who has been using these products will great success to date.
 
Agricultural Extension Officer Colburn Toulon says one key issue faced by local farmers is the availability, cost and quality of inputs, either from the government via its extension support production, or from the agricultural shops. He said “In light of all of that, we are just trying to show the farmers that you don’t really have to depend on government or depend on the agricultural shops … we’re trying to show them there’s a way out, and all is not lost, because you can also make your stuff.”
 
He added that plants also get sick and during the training farmers will learn how to utilize the weeds, and wild or naturally growing bushes, as medication for their crops. Toulon stated that the additional benefit from Thursday’s training, is the healthy and natural fertilizer and pesticide stamp, to the products being grown locally, as persons become more conscious about how the foods they consume are cared for, and grown, which will add to Dominica’s title as the ‘Nature Isle’.
 
Toulon hopes about sixty farmers will participate in the workshop. The training is scheduled to begin at 9:00 am, and will be facilitated by Kian Stephenson, Dr. Al- Mario Casimir of Division of Agriculture and Mr Colburn Toulon. Deles Warrington will be a highlight trainer, as the event will be occurring on his farm.