Roseau, Dominica: The farmers in Dominica are actually eligible to take loans for as much as $30,000 at a 5% rate of interest for the cultivation of White (Irish) Potatoes. The Ministry of Agriculture stated that the method of the approval of the mortgage will likely be quick, and there will likely be a six-month grace interval for paying it.
The initiative is a part of the federal government of Dominica, which takes place by the collaboration between the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries Blue and Inexperienced Financial system and the Nationwide Basis of Dominica Ltd.
The goal of the mortgage facility is to uplift the agriculture sector, improve farmers and promote the native merchandise of Dominica. As per the ability, the bigger quantities may be thought-about on its benefit for the farmers.
The power will enable the farmers to achieve priceless monetary help for the buying of instruments, tools, labour, inputs and different related prices.
Apart from this, the Ministry of Agriculture of Dominica additionally introduced the technical information for the cultivation of the white potato.
Irrigation Necessities (per acre)
- Roughly 20-40 inches of rainfall is required over the rising interval.
- Underneath irrigation~ 28,000-42,000 gallons per week.
Selection of cultivar
- Based mostly on market calls for and environmental necessities. E.g. white and red-skinned varieties
- Select licensed Elite or Tremendous Elite seeds.
Soil kind
- The farmers have to make it Cultivated on a variety of soil sorts. Nevertheless, sandy loam is greatest.
- The Soils ought to be wealthy in natural matter with a pH of 5-7 is beneficial.
- The Soil should be properly drained with good moisture retention.
Web site choice
- Land ought to be flat or barely sloped and free from any obstacles or shadows.
- Choose fields which are well-drained, open and ventilated.
- Keep away from areas which are vulnerable to flooding.
- Keep away from areas the place Solanaceae crops (e.g. tomatoes) had been beforehand grown within the final 2-3 years.
Planting schedule
- Planting season is from Oct –Feb. Nevertheless, Very best planting instances within the South area are from Dec-Jan and from Oct-Dec within the Northeast area.
Fertiliser and different inputs
- Fertiliser utility ought to be based mostly on the outcomes from a soil check performed at the least 4 weeks earlier than planting. The outcomes may be helpful for at the least two years.
Fertilizer and different inputs (continued)
- Typically, fertilizer may be added in inorganic or inorganic types. Nitrogen is required at 95kg, potassium 125kg and phosphorous 10kg per acre. The rule of thumb is 15.15g of NPK per seed or 1.5kg (3.3 lb) per 100 ft. furrow.
- Micronutrients are additionally required. Bio-stimulants and selfmade compost teas are reported to be good additions.
- Weekly utility of fungicides in rotation is beneficial.
Rotation
- A 3-5-year rotation is beneficial to scale back the build-up of pathogens.
- Keep away from crops from the identical household and rotate with non Solanaceae crops like turmeric and ginger which may be planted instantly into the previous furrows..
Land Preparation
- Make the most of the stale seedbed method to scale back weeds.
- Begin land preparation at the least two weeks earlier than planting. Planting usually begins from Dec-Jan within the South area and from Oct-Dec within the Northeast area.
- Plough to a depth of 1ft; harrow at the least aside between furrows.
- Natural matter (compost) may be included into the soil at this stage.
Planting
- Air-dry seed tubers earlier than deform and visually examine for (e.g. rotting, spots c, bruising).
- Use sprouting seed tubers to make sure viability and scale back weed competitors.
- Broadcast NPK fertilizer in furrows and canopy with at the least 2 inches of soil earlier than planting seeds.
- Plant seed tubers larger that 25mm 12 inches aside, and seed tubers much less that 25mm may be planted 10 inches aside.
Germination (Weeks 1-2)
- Mould crops 1-2 weeks after germination or when the plant is 8 to 12 inches tall.
- Apply well timed and preventative fungicides in rotation for illnesses, particularly for late blight.
- Observe for mole crickets and use pesticides the place relevant. Nevertheless, early preventative measures ought to be taken for lands with a historical past of mole crickets.
- Utilized good administration practices, e.g. the removing of illness crops, and the sanitation of instruments.
Vegetative (Weeks 3-5)
- Monitor weekly for pests and illnesses on each the higher and decrease foliage.
- Conduct weekly and well timed preventative functions of fungicides in rotation.
- Apply applicable pesticides for the management of bugs and mites the place relevant, and monitor caters, particularly armyworms, due to their armyworms’ potential to breed and feed quickly.
Tuberization (Weeks 5-9)
- Apply the second utility of NPK with micronutrients 4-6 weeks after planting for max yield.
- Mould crops to cowl 8-10 inches of the stem to stop daylight from reaching the growing tubers.
- Conduct weekly and well timed preventative fungicides in rotation
- Monitor and apply applicable pesticides for mites and bugs.
Maturation (Weeks 10-14)
- Monitor plant between 70-100 days for indicators o s of maturity, e.g. when leaves flip from inexperienced to yellow and to brown, and stems die again.
- Apply fungicides weekly to stop fungal spores from washing down on the tubers.
- Harvest just a few tubers to substantiate maturity tubers bruise much less when fingers.
- Improved pores and skin high quality may be achieved by eradicating the vines (high killing). Nevertheless, the local weather should be monitored as extended moist intervals, and excessive soil temperatures may cause deformation.
Harvesting (Weeks 13-15)
- Harvest between 13-15 weeks when the skin is dry and the temperatures are the
- Throughout the early morning or late afternoon is right.
- Harvest tubers by hand with assistance from a fork or mechanically.
- Train care when harvesting to stop cuts and bruises on the tubers
- Transport harvested tubers from the sector in crates.
Publish Harvesting
- Permit bruises that happen throughout harvesting and transportation to treatment in the course of the storage interval.
- Hold tubers for 2-3 weeks. Based mostly on selection to make sure the hardening of the pores and skin tissue.
- Retailer tubers in ventilated crates or bins stacked no larger than 4m (13ft 4in) in top.
- Retailer tubers in a darkish, cool, well-ventilated room, with temperatures starting from 20-25 °C and with~ 90% humidity.
