Some Roseau residents are now equipped with innovative techniques and knowledge to do some urban farming after participating in a training session in urban agriculture that was held in Roseau last Saturday.
The session, which saw enthusiastic participation from individuals of all ages, focused particularly on hydroponic systems and vertical farming techniques.
The training, initiated by Roseau Central MP, Melissa Poponne-Skerrit, was a collaborative effort with the Chinese Agricultural Technical Mission in One Mile, Portsmouth, and three esteemed presenters – Mr. Vince Morgan, Dominica’s largest hydroponics farmer, Mr. Kian Winston, the assistant principal of the Castle Bruce Secondary School and an agricultural science teacher, and Mr. Batilla Bethel James, an avid farmer and agricultural development officer at the Aid Bank.
Participants were exposed to a wealth of knowledge, learning to cultivate crops in limited spaces, farming on concrete, and harnessing sustainable farming techniques.
According to Poponne-Skerrit, the constituents of Roseau Central, who lack farmland, were particularly excited to learn new modern city farming techniques such as planting in alleyways, growing crops on concrete, and the propagation of seedlings using a hydroponic system.
The overarching goal of the session was to encourage households to cultivate their own food within their immediate surroundings, utilizing smart and space-saving technologies. Attendees were equipped with the tools, seedlings, and knowledge needed to transform their living spaces into flourishing urban gardens.
“The interactive nature of the session fostered lively discussions and exchange of ideas, creating a vibrant atmosphere conducive to learning and growth,” the Roseau parliamentary representative stated. “Attendees not only gained theoretical knowledge but also had the opportunity to engage in hands-on activities.”
“As we celebrate the success of this event, we extend our sincere gratitude to all participants and facilitators for their active engagement and enthusiasm. We encourage all attendees to continue their journey in urban agriculture and to leverage the knowledge and skills gained from this session to make a positive impact in homes and beyond,” she concluded in a press release. “For those who were unable to attend but have expressed interest, we look forward to welcoming you to future sessions as we continue to promote the transformative potential of urban farming in our city of Roseau.”
Hello and good morning my people. Well my uncle used to farm on fifteen acres of land but he had to decrease the farming land to five acres because he can’t sell what he plants. So do something to help the farmers sell their produce in Dominica and abroad. If you can’t feed your population then our country will have to import basic commodities.
An anagram of Melissa is aimless.
A very good initiative!!
This mode of agriculture does not just add healthy crops to your table but it reduces your food expenses (even if it is in small measure); it adds to economic resilience. It helps a household to teach children the value of healthy foods and how to grow crops; it can help parent and children to bond more as they grow crops together;
I was able to bond more with my younger son as we planted in the back yard.
The yard space shown in the opening aerial photograph, is a heck of a lot more than the allotted yard space of the government’s cheek by jowl housing projects.
Thank you Mr. Burnette. IDK what island they living on but im not fooled. Now she want us to plant in alley ways and open lots? Garbage bins not even safe from attacks from paros, is our little crops in an alley or open lot that will be safe?
Roger, get some sleep and take a bow out. Thank you.
Na, thanks but no thanks.
You all done messed up agriculture on this island and made it difficult, if not impossible to play catch up with these little tiny-plot ideas we already do from Youtube.
Excellent initiative. In the old days there were church gardens, and school gardens. One does not need a huge plantation to grow some vegetables. This will certainly reduce the import bill, we can grow what we eat, and eat what we grow. A small vegetable garden will go a long way in helping us achieve optimum health, while we save some of our pennies.
Get back to Achievement Day and community pride.
it shocking that farmers struggling. abbattoir close so livestock farmers cant make a dollar. and this puppet show is going on. who helping the farmers that have been selling only to the abbattoir for the past few years. talk about that.
they say they building a new abbattoir. Jokers. Big news. What ever happened to the last one that was so state of the arse.
And what are you doing about it instead of running your mouth as usual? Since you have nothing to offer, just keep your mouth shut.