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FFocus Focu Foc o Health H and He Hea Heal Healt a Wealth an W We Wea Weal Wealt with Plants’ Plants Plant Plan Pla Pl P ‘Miracl ‘Mirac ‘Mira ‘Mir ‘Mi ‘M ‘ wit wi w ‘Miracle AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I. Tel: (876) 923-7471• 923-7428 • editor@theagriculturalist.com www.theagriculturalist.com

$ $9 $90 $900

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” – Albert Einstein

Taking Advantage of Miracle Plants! THE PUBLISHER’S COMMENTS

he market place is changing and people all over the world are opting to consume more naturally produced medications as well as foods. The island of Jamaica is blessed to be the home of perhaps more than a 100 powerful plants with unique medicinal and nutritional properties called “miracle plants.” The majority of these plants have been growing wild across the island without any technical or agronomic management control. Things are changing, however as in recent years an increasing number of “herbs farmers” and entrepreneurs are growing and trading the “miracle plants.” Nonetheless, as these plants are being marketed locally and overseas in various forms, several hundred Jamaicans entrepreneurs are earning millions of dollars, but they are unable to satisfy the market. Ganja or Marijuana, Pimento (allspice), Ginger, Turmeric, Nutmeg (mace), Garlic, Fever grass, Cerasee, Leaf-of-life, Sarsaparilla, Cinnamon, Peppermint, Guinea Hen Weed, Aloe Vera, Neem and Moringa are just a few

of the plants that are creating good health and a reliable sources of income for thousands of people. Health conscious entrepreneurs, farmers and gardeners from all over the world including Jamaicans have been advocating and promoting the consumption ‘Miracle plants’ for decades, but finally the message is reaching home and the people are responding. However, Jamaica’s relevant institutions are still not ready to provide the material and institutional support to foster growth and development of these plants. Ongoing research, technical or agronomic supports are necessary to move production at commercially viable levels. While, the trend towards ‘Miracle plants’ is growing rapidly, the government must act now to assist farmers in taking advantage of the vast opportunities and financial rewards. The Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries and its relevant agencies including the Rural Agricultural Development Authority should provide leadership in this regard. Continued on page 2

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‘There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm’ - Aldo Leopold,

Continued from page 1 The Ministry must address the fact that our agricultural extension officers are extremely knowledgeable on the agronomic practice of local fruits and vegetable crops, but are uninformed about the most popular and trending ‘miracle plants.’ The establishment of a ‘Miracle Plants Unit,’ with strong private-sector support could boost the growth of some simple or little known plants that are helping people in several ways.

Nevertheless, the government moves to setup the Cannabis Licensing Authority (CLA), to establish and regulate Jamaica’s legal ganja and hemp industry is also supporting the cultivation and processing of our ‘miracle plants’ and we are therefore optimistic that during 2017 other steps will be taken to support the herbs farmers.

Patrick Maitland Publisher & Editor

patrick@theagriculturalist.com

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‘It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work’ - Cato The Elder

Table of Contents

Statistics on Agriculture ………....…../4 Agriculture Production Data …......./5-6 About Jamaica …...…………..…….../7 Agricultural Contacts ………....…/8-10 Special Features-Miracle Plants.../11-26 Crop Guide …………................../27-53 What & When to Plant ……...…./54-57 Fertilizer Guide............……...…./58-61 Livestock Guide …...........…….../62-68 About drip Irrigation ........................./71 Recipes …………………….…........./73 Crop Production Planning Chart../74-75 Homemade Organic Pesticides .……/76 Measurements..................................../77 Weed Control Guide...................../78-79 Insect Control Guide .….……...../80-82 Disease Control Guide…...…....../83-85 Health tips for men .........................../86 Strategies for a health diet ................/87 Farm Jokes ......................................../88

For the latest news and views of farming The Agriculturalist Newspaper -----------------------

www.theagriculturalist.com

TROPICAL FARMERS’ ALMANAC 2017 THE

‘Everyday Guide to Successful Farming’

-------------------------------------------------

Publisher & Editor: Patrick Maitland Advertising & Sales: Shanique Grant -----------------------Consulting Editors: Percy Miller: Citrus Marilyn Headley: Forestry Derrick Velmont: Pigs, Poultry, Goat, Sheep Hugh Graham: Cattle Oral Lewis: Banana Louis Campbell: Coffee Marina Young: Pesticides Sylburn Thomas: Pimento & Turmeric Joe Suah: What & When to Plant Edmond Lewis: Sugar Cane Alvin Murray: Irish Potatoes Roma Roach: Ornamentals Wayne Myrie: Coconut Burton Thomas: Vegetables Hugh Smith: Beekeeping Produced and Published By:

AGRI LIFE FOUNDATION LTD AMC Complex, 188 Spanish Town Rd, Kingston 11, Jamaica W.I. Tel: (876) 923-7471 • Fax: (876) 923-7428 E-mail: editor@theagriculturalist.com www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com Copyright©2017

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‘Agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground,’ - Franklin Benjamin

STATISTICS ON JAMAICAN AGRICULTURE Agri % of GDP Agri GDP Value ($M) Agri Labour (‘000)

Agri Labour (%)Force Food Exports ($USM) Food Imports ($USM) Farm Loans ($M)

2010 6.6 62,437 221.7 20.26 102 813 773

2011 6.6 70,081

2012 6.8 75,866

193

198.1

17.6 232 938 1,156

17.84 264 959 676

2013 2014 2015 6.6 6.6 6.6 85,687 91,498 102,856 200.4 202.20 202 17.75 18.0 17.9 220 243.1 240 840 964 919.9 2,184 218,470 425,313

AREA IN FARMING, JAMAICA 1978; 1996 & 2007

Total Land in Farming

Active Farmland Crops

Pasture

Inactive Farmland

Ruinate and Fallow

Woodland and other land on farm

2007 Hectares

1996 Hectares

1978 Hectares

154,524

177,580

230,750

325,810 202,727 48,203

114,048 80,560 33,488

449,493 273,229 95,649

134,204 87,300

46,905

533,798 311,597 80,847

112,524 -

118,039

FARMERS’ EDUCATIONAL LEVEL Highest Attainment PARISH # REGISTERED Primary ............................................ 97,429 ST.ANDREW 6,899 Secondary ......................................... 93,911 ST.THOMAS 12,357 Tertiary .............................................. 7,090 PORTLAND 9,426 Not Reported .................................... 11,975 ST.MARY 10,294 FARMERS AGE & SEX Jamaican ST.ANN 20,247 Population: Total Male Female TRELAWNY 8,475 2,711,500 <25 12,356 9,436 2,473 ST.JAMES 8,815 # Farmers: HANOVER 6,199 25-34 31,890 21,301 9,479 187,791 WESTMORELAND 11,024 Farmers 35-44 46,898 30,177 15,171 ST.ELIZABETH 24,986 45-54 43,846 29,133 13,293 (50 & + = 44.3% Average Farm MANCHESTER 22,587 55-64 31,557 21,297 9,248 Experience CLARENDON 23,508 65-74 23,914 15,778 7,310 = 20 yrs ST.CATHERINE 16,263 Farmers’ 75+ 14,123 8,913 4,708 TOTAL REGISTERED 181,080

REGISTRATED FARMERS

Source: Rural Agricultural Development Authority

6,269 3,930 2,008 Illiteracy: 33.1% Sources: Statistical Institute of Jamaica; Ministry of Agriculture; PIOJ

N/R

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‘The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings’ - Masanobu Fukuoka

AGRICULTURE PRODUCTION DATA

Major Export Crops - Production (Tonnes) Sugar Bananas Citrus Pimento * Cocoa Coffee * estimated

2,010 92,899 53,649 117,440 692 1,368 9,121

2,011 110,750 46,660 106,922 700 499 8,099

2,012 103,154 47,473 97,072 490 1,393 6,687

2,013 82,469 37,211 83,758 550 997 6,984

2,014 88,509 51,581 71,194 350 1,154 5,298

2,015 78,476 54,810 74,336 533 637 5,847

Non-Traditional Export (US$‘000) Yams Papayas Ackee Sweet Potatoes Dasheens Pumpkins Fish, Crustaceans & Molluscs Other Food Exports

18,833 2,828 12,755 3,106 1,557 434 7,974 77,552

19,931 2,481 12,382 2,553 1,690 555 7,986 88,035

19,600 4,480 13,873 2,840 1,655 531 8,929 92,891

22,221 3,365 15,543 3,565 1,563 708 10,998 24,322

21,961 3,897 12,066 2,626 1,381 462 12,587 25,701

19,406 3,843 13,971 2,576 955 391 10,596 18,903

Traditional Export (US$'000) Sugar Bananas Citrus Pimento Cocoa Coffee

44,243 1 1,831 2,866 1,021 19,191

62,164 63 2,180 1,835 1,108 18,326

94,138 120 1,883 2,303 1,936 13,778

53,157.60 62 3,322 1,912 504 16,327

55,784 179 1,732 2,329 1,028 13,479

53,813 242 1,276 1,358 403 25,197

Meat Fish and Dairy (‘000 kgs) Beef and Veal Goats Flesh Pork Mutton Poultry Fish (Inland) & Shrimp Eggs (Million) Milk (Grade A) (Million Litre)

5,264 937 7,973 11 100,637 4,184 109 13

5,621 1,316 7,110 23 101,526 1,150 138 12

5,800 1,094 9,490 32 102,167 644 170 13

6,221 929 8,998 24 101,933 836 125 12

6,196 902 8,185 22 110,502 698 121 12

7,523 888 7,049 18 112,855 646 150 12

Domestic Food Crops (Tonnes) Vegetables Legumes Condiments Fruits Cereals Plantain Yams Other tubers Sorrel Potatoes

165,457 3,930 34,706 38,002 2,627 29,826 136,785 42,181 1,057 45,734

223,545 5,091 44,712 38,742 2,968 35,335 134,620 48,459 1,212 57,424

224,131 5,261 46,854 45,023 3,121 36,203 145,059 45,713 1,212 57,561

233,226 5,501 52,295 46,325 2,497 30,937 138,834 41,670 1,483 61,645

206,097 4,911 45,392 44,446 2,206 39,348 135,303 40,882 1,214 58,988

201,866 4,708 42,781 43,467 2,365 38,421 136,732 41,166 1,187 58,749

9,121 7,585 1,586

8,099 6,574 1,543

6,687 5,576 1,111

6,984 5,839 1,146

5,298 4,425 873

5,847 5,216 631

1,368 572

499 200

1,393 557

997 399

1,154 462

637 255

Traditional Export Crops (Tonnes) Coffee (Cherry) Estimated Total Production Blue Mountain Lowland - Non-Blue Mountain Cocoa Deliveries to Processing Plants Out from Processing Plants Coconut Used for planting and Processing (millions)

Sources: Economic and Social Survey, Jamaica, Statistical Yearbook of Jamaica

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‘Farming is a profession of hope’ - Brian Brett

About Jamaica

amaica is an island with an area of 11,244 square kilometres (or about 4,411 square miles). The island is surrounded by the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea and is located in the Tropics at approximately latitude 18ºN and longitude 77ºW, which is about 4.5 degrees south of the Tropic of Cancer or about midway between the southern tip of Florida and the Panama Canal. The Time Meridian is 75 degrees West, hence the Time Zone is Eastern Standard Time with 0000-hours being midnight or 0500-hours Universal Coordinated Time (UTC) and 1200-hours being noon or 1700-hours UTC. Among the most important climatic influences are the Northeast Trade Winds, the range of mountains which runs east-southeast to west-southwest along the centre of the island, the warm waters of the Caribbean Sea, and weather systems such as upper- and lowlevel low-pressure centres, troughs and cold fronts. The cold fronts, usually weak after migrating from the North American continent, are evident from mid-October to mid-April; whilst the Tropical Weather Systems, namely Tropical Waves, Tropical Depressions, Tropical Storms and Hurricanes occur from April to December. The official hurricane season is from June to November. The national Meteorological Service in Jamaica maintains 24-hour communication with the National and Regional Hurricane Centre in Florida, USA, especially during the hurricane season, thereby ensuring the timely dissemination of forecasts and warnings. Coutresy of Meteorological Service, Jamaica ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Holidays in Jamaica in 2017

Date Jan 1 Jan 2 Feb 14 Mar 1 Apr 14 Apr 16 Apr 17 May 14 May 23 Jun 18 Jun 21 Aug 1 Aug 7 Oct 16 Dec 24 Dec 25 Dec 26 Dec 31

Weekday Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Sunday Monday Sunday Tuesday Sunday Wednesday Tuesday Monday Monday Sunday Monday Tuesday Sunday

Holiday Name New Year's Day New Year's Day Valentine's Day Ash Wednesday Good Friday Easter Sunday Easter Monday Mother's Day Labor Day/May Day Father's Day June Solstice Emancipation Day Independence Day National Heroes' Day Christmas Eve Christmas Day Boxing Day New Year's Eve

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Holiday Type Public Holiday Public Holiday Observance Public Holiday Public Holiday Observance Public Holiday Observance Public Holiday Observance Season Public Holiday Public Holiday Public Holiday Observance Public Holiday Public Holiday Observance

‘Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all’ - Whittier, John Greenleaf

Karl Samuda Minister 927-1731–50 minister@micaf.gov.jm

JC Hutchinson Minister without Portfolio 927–1731–50 jchutcninson@micaf.gov.jm

Donovan Stanberry Permanent Secretary 927-1731–50 psecoffice@micaf.gov.jm

Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture & Fisheries Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 • 876-927-1731-50 / 619-1731 Fax 876-927-1904 • Email ict@micaf.gov.jm

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‘Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or make an ox in two days’ - Alain, Henri

AGRICULTURAL CONTACTS Peter Thompson, CEO

Rural Agricultural Development Authority

Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 execcutive@rada.gov.jmwww.rada.gov.jm • Tel: 977-1158-62

PARISH OFFICES/MANAGERS:

Bevene Martin RADA – ST. ANDREW 197 Old Hope Road 927-1570-1 / 927-0199 standrew@rada.gov.jm

Lennox Hemans RADA - ST. THOMAS Belfast, Morant Bay P.O 982-2234 / 2496 / 2205 stthomas@rada.gov.jm

Erica Daley RADA - PORTLAND 20 Folly Road, Port Antonio P.O, Portland 993-2687 / 993-2496 portland@rada.gov.jm Jasmine Hyde RADA – ST. MARY Frontier, Port Maria 994-2436/ 725-0581 stmary@rada.gov.jm

Melvin Aris RADA – ST. ANN Claremont P.O 972-3258; 972-4216 stann@rada.gov.jm

Mervyn Green RADA – TRELAWNY 8 Seabrook Street, Falmonth P.O 612-616/8959/4184/8566 trelawny@rada.gov.jm

Sadie Dixon-Bennett RADA – ST. JAMES Catherine Hall, Montego Bay P.O 952-1876 / 952-1879 stjames@rada.gov.jm

Colin Henry RADA – HANOVER Haughton Court, Lucea P.O 956-2252; 956-2378 hanover@rada.gov.jm Roan Vassel RADA – WESTMORELAND Llandilo, Sav-La-Mar 955-2767/ 955-4446

westmoreland@rada.gov.jm

Edward Samuels RADA - ST. ELIZABETH 63 Coke Drive 966-2285; 966-2232 stelizabeth@rada.gov.jm Winston Miller RADA – MANCHESTER Belair Hotel, Mandeville P.O 962-2307; 962-0479 manchester@rada.gov.jm Marvin Lawrence RADA – CLARENDON Denbigh Show Grounds 986-2123-4 / 986-2061 clarendon@ rada.gov.jm

Cecil Taylor RADA – ST. CATHERINE Vanity Fair, Linstead P.O 985-9194 / 2290 / 2265 stcatherine@ rada.gov.jm

AGRI CONTACTS

Agricultural Credit Board Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 977-2277; 927-1948 acboard1@cwjamaica.com Tracey-Ann Wright, CEO (acting) -Agro Investment Corporation 188 Spanish Town Road, Kingston 11 764 8071; 923 9268 ccole@agroinvest.gov.jm Courtney Cole – CEO -All-Island Banana Growers Association 10 South Ave, Kingston 4 922-5497/967-3160 aibga@cwjamaica.com Donald Elvy, GM -All-Island Jamaica Cane Farmers Association 4 North Ave, Kingston 4 922-3010 allislandcane@gmail.com Alan Rickards, Chair

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‘Whether the farmer ever digs for it or not, it is there, haunting his daydreams when the burden of debt is most unbearable’ - Brodie, Fawn M.

AGRICULTURAL CONTACTS

Banana Board 10 South Ave, Kingston 4

bananaboard@cwjamaica.com

922-5347 Janet Conie – GM --

Coconut Industry Board 18 Waterloo Rd, Kng 10

cocindbrd@cwjamaica.com

Tel: 926-1770 Yvonne Burns – GM --

Coffee Industry Board Willie Henry Dr, Kgn 15 758-1259; 758-5459 datacoordinator@ciboj.org Steve Robinson, DG -Cocoa Industry Board Marcus Garvey Drive Box 1039, Kingston 923–6411–3 cocoajam@cwjamaica.com Leroy Grey, See/Manager -College of Agriculture, Science & Education Passley Garden, Portland 9935436-8; 889-6631 president@case.edu.jm Derrick Deslandes, president -Caribbean Agriculture Research Development Institute 2 Belmopan Close, Mona Campus, UWI 927-1231 Cardi2@cwjamaica.com Gregory Robin, Rep

Development Bank of Jamaica 11a Oxford Road, Kng 5 929-4010; 926-8452 Milverton Reynolds, MD --

Forestry Department

173 Constant Spring Rd, Kgn 5.

mheadley@forestry.gov.jm 924-2667 Marilyn Headley, CEO --

Fisheries Division Marcus Garvey Drive Newport East Kingston 923-8811-3 fisheries@moa.gov.jm Paul Wright, CEO --

Heart Trust/NTA 6B Oxford Rd, Kingston 5 executive_office@heart-nta.org

929-3410/8 960-7635-6 Dr Wayne Wesley, ED --

Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture Hope Gardens, Kng 6, iicajam@cwjamaica.com 927-0020; 702-4779/4780 Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, Rep --

Jamaica Citrus Growers Bog Walk, St. Catherine Tel: 708-2150-4 Dennis Boothe, GM --

Jamaica Agri., Society 67 Church Street, Kingston jaspresident2012@gmail.com

Tel:922-0610/2 Norman Grant, President

Jamaica 4H Clubs

95 Old Hope Rd, Kingston 6

927-4050/2; 927-6239

Jamaica.4h@cwjamaica.com

Ronald Blake, ED

Jamaica Dairy Development Board Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 Tel: 618-7107; 927-1731 dairyboard@moa.gov.jm Hugh Graham - CEO --

Jamaica Agricultural Development Foundation 17 Ruthven Rd, Kingston 5 929-8090;968-4885 jadf@infocham.com Vitus Evans, CEO --

Montpelier Citrus Co Montpelier, St. James Tel: 956-4747 rpowell@dbankjm.com George Gayle, CEO National Irrigation Commission --

191 Old Hope Rd Kingston 6

Tel: 977-6624; 977-6189 ceo@nicjamaica.com Oliver Nembhard, CEO --

National People's Co-Operative Bank Lot 19 Nashville Mandeville, Manchester 961-0278; 962-5360 npcbheadq1@hotmail.com Curtis Barnett, GM --

Pesticide Control Authority

2-4 Kings Street, Kingston 967-1281 Michael Ramsey, Registrar

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‘It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work’ - Cato The Elder

Special Feature

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle Plants’

amaica is the home of perhaps more than a 100 plants with unique medicinal and nutritional properties called “miracle plants.” Most of these plants have been growing wild across the island, however in recent years an increasing number of “herbs farmers” and entrepreneurs are growing and trading the “miracle plants.” As these “miracle plants” are being marketed locally and overseas in various forms, several hundred Jamaican

entrepreneurs are raking in millions of dollars, and they are unable to satisfy the market. In this feature we will provide entrepreneurs, farmers and gardeners with the latest technical information on cultivation and marketing of the following plants: Ganja or Marijuana, Pimento (allspice), Ginger, Turmeric, Nutmeg (mace), Garlic, Fever grass, Cerasee, Leaf-of-life, Sarsaparilla, Cinnamon, Spirulina, Peppermint, Guinea Hen Weed, Aloe Vera, Neem and Moringa.

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‘Like a gardener I believe what goes down must come up’ - Giacomini, Lynwood L.

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Ganja or Marijuana

Cannabis sativa annabis, also known as Ganja or Ganja or Marijuana is now more Marijuana among other names, is a than smoking or getting a high – it’s the genus of flowering plant that includes most resourceful plants capable of creatthree species or subspecies, sativa, indica, ing a wide range of products fetching and ruderalis. high returns on any investment. Cannabis is mostly used recreationMarijuana remains a generally illeally or as a medicinal drug. It may also be gal plant (drug) in Jamaica and many used for religious or spiritual purposes. other countries, however since July In 2013, between 128 and 232 million 2015 the Cannabis Licensing Authority people used cannabis (CLA), an agency (2.7% to 4.9% of the of the Ministry global population beof Industry, Comtween the ages of 15 merce, Agriculture and 65). This makes it and Fisheries, was the most commonly established under used illegal drug both the Dangerous Drug in the Amendment Act, world in(DDA) with a specific cluding Jarole to establish and regumaica and the late JaCaribbean. maica’s The United Nalegal ganja tions' 2012 Global Drug Reand hemp industry. port stated that cannabis "was The CLA aims to crethe world's most widely ate regulations for guiding the developproduced, trafficked, and ment of an orderly legal ganja and hemp consumed drug in the world in 2010", industry in Jamaica, for the use of the identifying that between 119 million and plant and its by-products for medical, 224 million users existed in the world's therapeutic and scientific purposes. adult (18 or older) population. Therefore persons who are interested in As a result of its huge success as a Ganja cultivation or processing must obmedicinal and industrial manufacturing, tain the relevant licenses, permits or auGanja is now one of the most sought after thorization for the handling of hemp and plants by entrepreneurs all over the world ganja in Jamaica. including Jamaica. Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 12

‘The first farmer was the first man. All historic nobility rests on the possession and use of land’ - Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Pimento (Allspice) Pimenta dioica

he pimento tree is indigenous to the Caribbean Islands. It was found growing in Jamaica by early Spanish explorers who were quite impressed with the taste and aroma of the berries and the leaves. Jamaica has the longest history of growing pimento, having been in continuous production since the tree was identified in about the year 1509. The name 'allspice' was coined as early as 1621 by the English, who thought it combined the flavor of cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Allspice is one of the most important ingredients of Jamaican cuisine especially jerk seasoning. Pimento is known to provide medicinal treatments for several conditions including Indigestion, Vomiting, Stomach ache, Diarrhea, Colds, Flu, Sinusitis, Diabetes and Menstrual Pain.

The fruit is picked when green and traditionally dried in the sun. When dry, they are brown and resemble large brown peppercorns. The whole fruit has a longer shelf life than the powdered product and produces a more aromatic product when freshly ground before use. Fresh leaves are used when available. They are similar in texture to bay leaves and are infused during cooking and then removed before serving. The leaves and wood are often used for smoking meats where allspice is a local crop. An essential oil is extracted from the berries. It is believed that Pimento is grown by some 10,000 Jamaican farmers and the export trade is valued at $2.3 million.

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‘When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization’ - Daniel Webster

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Jamaican Ginger

Zingiber officinale Rosc.

inger or ginger root is the rhizome of the plant Zingiber officinale, is consumed as a delicacy, medicine, or spice. Other notable members of this plant family include turmeric. Ginger cultivation began in South Asia and has since spread to East Africa and the Caribbean. Since 1585, the Jamaican ginger was the first oriental spice to be grown in the New World and imported back to Europe. Jamaica, where Ginger was first planted by the Spanish, is still among the world leading producers. Grown across the island, St Ann, Manchester and Clarendon have been cited as especially suitable for the growing of the plant.

The traditional medical form of ginger historically was called Jamaica ginger; it was classified as a stimulant and carminative and used frequently for dyspepsia, gastroparesis, slow motility symptoms, constipation, and colic. It was also frequently employed to disguise the taste of medicines. Some studies indicate ginger may provide short-term relief of pregnancyrelated nausea and vomiting. Studies are inconclusive about effects for other forms of nausea or in treating pain from rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, or joint and muscle injury. Side effects, mostly associated with powdered ginger, are gas, bloating, heartburn, and nausea. Tea brewed from ginger is a common folk remedy for colds. Ginger ale and ginger beer are also drunk as stomach settlers in countries where the beverages are made.

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‘Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all’ - Whittier, John Greenleaf

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Tumeric Curcuma longa

urmeric is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial plant of the ginger family, Zingiberaceae. It is native to tropical Tamilnadu, in southeast India, and needs temperatures between 20 °C and 30 °C (68 °F and 86 °F) and a considerable amount of annual rainfall to thrive. Plants are gathered annually for their rhizomes, and propagated from some of those rhizomes in the following season. When not used fresh, the rhizomes are boiled for about 30–45 minutes and then dried in hot ovens, after which they are ground into a deep orange-yellow powder commonly used as a spice in Tamil cuisine and even curries, for dyeing, and to impart color to mustard condiments. Its active ingredient is curcumin and it has a distinctly earthy, slightly bitter,

slightly hot peppery flavor and a mustardy smell. Curcumin has been a centre of attraction for potential treatment of an array of diseases, including cancer, Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, allergies, arthritis and other chronic illnesses. • Turmeric contains Curcumin, a Substance with Powerful Anti-In flammatory Effects • Turmeric in Wooden Bowl • Turmeric is the spice that gives curry its yellow color. • It contains several compounds with medicinal properties, the most important of which is curcumin. • Curcumin is a remarkably powerful antioxidant, helping to fight oxidative damage and boosting the body’s own antioxidant enzymes. • This is important, because oxidative damage is believed to be one of the key mechanisms behind ageing and many diseases.

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‘A good farmer is nothing more nor less than a handy man with a sense of humus’ - White, Elwyn Brooks

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Sarsaparilla Smilax regilii

he word Sarsaparilla comes from the Spanish Sarza, meaning a bramble, and parilla, a vine, in allusion to the thorny stems of the plant. The root of the Sarsaparilla plant, is used. The plant is a woody-climbing vine that grows in South America, the West Indies, Mexico and other tropical parts of the world. Regardless of the origin, the many species of sarsaparilla, or Smilax, look very similar. Sarsaparilla root has a pleasant fragrance and a spicy sweet taste. Often added to medicines, foods or beverages, it may help treat many medical conditions. Sarsaparilla has been used over the centuries to treat syphilis, skin problems, digestive disorders, fever, arthritis, leprosy and cancer. Its ability to treat many of these conditions, including liver disease, psoriasis, fevers and inflammatory processes, comes from its ability to bind the toxins in the blood.

Sarsaparilla is commonly used for anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, purification and hormonal purposes. As a purifier, sarsaparilla root helps remove metallic toxins from the blood by promoting sweating and urination. Sarsaparilla root may help kill the bacteria associated with sexually transmitted diseases, urinary tract infections and wounds. People who suffer from arthritis, rheumatism or gout often use sarsaparilla root to relieve inflammation. Sarsaparilla root may also work with hormones to stimulate testosterone production, which can increase a person's interest in sex and reduce menopausal symptoms. Sarsaparilla Promotes Energy and Endurance. The spicy Sarsaparilla root is what gave old-fashioned root beer its bite and is the part used medicinally by herbalists for the prevention of gout, arthritis, inflammations of the joints, and is extremely useful for skin conditions, like psoriasis, especially when accompanied by irritation.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 16

‘A friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty’ - John Fischer

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Leaf of life

Bryophyllum calycinum

eaf of life, a member of the Crassulaceae family, is a medicinal herb very common in Jamaica. It is widely used as an herbal remedy for a variety of ailments, especially bronchial conditions. The common name is” live forever. The plant appears commonly throughout India, but is found in other parts of the world : Pakistan, Nepal, Brazil and the United States. In Jamaica, it can be found everywhere. Some people plant it in their gardens for easy access as well as a very decorative addition to the garden. In various cultures around the world, the leaf of life plant has been used for ethnomedical purposes. The leaf of life has been used to treat common health conditions such as influenza, the common cold, chest colds, high blood pressure, headaches, fever, bronchitis, swelling and excessive coughing.

Various medicinal uses are associated with the leaf of life. The leaves of this succulent plant are used for colds. A decoction may be used, with the juice alone, with goat’s milk or salt. It may be mixed with yam leaves and brewed as a tea. The bruised leaves make a soothing dressing for insect bites, bruises, boils and ulcers. The plant contains free malic acid and calcium malate, but little else seems to be known of its constituents. In Africa it is used for coughs (the root), headaches, ophthalmia, earache, abscesses and swellings, and as a diuretic. The leaf of life plant also offers traditional applications for the treatment of medical problems that can be more severe, such as kidney failure, shortness of breath and asthma. Tea made from this herb is also used to treat menstrual problems, coughs, bronchitis, as well as chest cold. The tea is also an excellent remedy for calming the nerves. The plant is a good herbal remedy for the removal of harmful bacteria from the intestines and the urine.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 17

‘A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful, and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life’ - Joseph Fort Newton

Jamaican Mint 1.Satureja viminea

atureja viminea or Costa Rican Mint is another name for the Jamaican mint which is also called “Pepper Mint.” The Satureja viminea is not a true peppermint plant and its aroma is described as serpentine savory. Unlike the well-known peppermint herb, this plant has a woody stem, upright growth and keeps a bushy shape. The Jamaican mint can be trained into a small tree reaching 6-7 ft in height. Peppermint typically grows in moist habitats including stream sides and drainage ditches. Being a hybrid, it is usually sterile, producing no seeds and reproducing only vegetatively, spreading by its rhizomes. It grows best in areas of low sunlight, with a good supply of water, without being water-logged. It is used mainly as a tea to soothe stomach aches and for gas. The Jamaican mint is also used for baths and body gels which cool and tingle – invigorating the body and lifting the spirit. The fragrance of the Satureja viminea is pure and very intense. Peppermint has a high menthol content. The oil contains menthone and menthyl esters, particularly menthyl acetate. Peppermint oil also contains small amounts of many additional compounds including limonene, pulegone, caryophyllene and pinene. It is the oldest and most popular flavour of mint-flavoured confectionery and is often used in tea and for flavouring ice cream, confectionery, chewing gum, and toothpaste.

Peppermint can also be found in some shampoos, soaps and skin care products. Peppermint has a long tradition of medicinal use, with archaeological evidence placing its use at least as far back as ten thousand years ago. Peppermint is commonly used to soothe or treat symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, indigestion, irritable bowel, and bloating. One animal study has suggested that Peppermint may have radioprotective effects in patients undergoing cancer treatment. The aroma of peppermint has been found to enhance memory and alertness, although other research contests this.

For the latest news and views of farming

The Agriculturalist Newspaper -----------------------

www.theagriculturalist.com

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 18

‘Belief is truth held in the mind; faith is a fire in the heart’ - Becky Laird

Fever Grass Cymbopogon citratus

ever grass is also known as lemon grass. Other common names of this grass are barbed wire grass, citronella, silky grass and gavati chaha. It is widely used as an herb in Asian cuisine. It has a subtle citrus flavor and can be dried and powdered, or used fresh. In some places it is used to assist recovery from a fever but mostly as a refreshing tea. This plant grows in subtropical and tropical climates and is widely found in rural Jamaica. Fever grass grows in clumps about 4 feet wide and 6 feet high. Its leaves are long and tapered, with razor sharp edges. This grass needs moist soil, and bright sunlight for its growth. The grass is also cultivated in several parishes in Jamaica under moderate to heavy rainfall. Fever grass is mostly used for relieving colds, fever and cough. It is used to treat athlete’s foot, asthma, and bladder disorders and is useful against menstrual disorder, headache and nausea. It is helpful in curing vomiting, diarrhea, and for

the treatment of colic, catarrh and gastric irritability. The grass is said to be very beneficial in the fight against cancer. It can also improve the skin by reducing acne and pimples and acts as a muscle and tissue toner. The lemon grass tea that has been set aside for a while and then imbibed is said to help in reducing blood pressure. Some people believe that fever grass can be useful against the effects of menopause as it is believed to reduce hot flashes and can help in reducing other symptoms of menopause. The oil obtained from fever grass has antiseptic properties and is used in the manufacture of many disinfectant soaps. The oils extracted from lemon grass are also used to add flavor to foods and beverages. Fever grass can also be used as an insect repellant. The oil from fever grass is used in spas and cosmetics. 1 acre can produce 14.32 kg of oil per harvest. Lemon grass can be harvested up to 4 times per year making it a total of 57.28 kg of oil per year. The latest market price available for lemon grass oil is US$66 per kg, This allows this level of production to generate (US$66 x 57.28 kg) or US$3,780.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 19

‘Recognizing that all we do is by His power, we honor God; He in turn blesses us’ - Frederick Buechner

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Cerasee

Momordica charantia

itter melon–or Cerassee, as it is known in Jamaica–is one of the most commonly used Jamaican folk medicines. Brought to the island and cultivated by African slaves, it is used for diabetes, malaria, worms, colds and hypertension, and as an overall health tonic. A study published in the Journal of Nutrition in April 2003 found that bitter melon extract improved insulin resistance and raised glucose (blood sugar) in rats. Cerasee is used as a blood cleanser and the tea is used as a remedy for colitis, liver problems, fever and as a skin lotion. The reddish-orange fruit and its seeds are known for producing iron-hard bones and incredible health. It is also said to contain valuable enzymes and minerals and is taken for diabetes. Bitter melon can also be used in the treatment of other conditions such as piles, blood disorders, respiratory disorders, cholera and alcoholism. Moreover, research is being carried out to study the effectiveness of bitter melon to fight HIV infections and certain types of cancer. Cerasee can be cultivated as a vegetable and cooked like other leafy vegetables.

The plant grows wild on hedges and trees across the island. The vine grows to about six to eight feet and each node on the vine has a lobed leaf and a tendril. Bitter melon bears male and female flowers that are yellow in colour and grow at the axils of the leaves. The fruit of the vine is oblong with a rough exterior. When young, the fruit is green and contains white seeds, when mature it turns to orange-yellow with red seeds.

For the latest news and views of farming The Agriculturalist Newspaper -----------------------

www.theagriculturalist.com Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 20

‘Doubts are the ants in the pants of faith. They keep it awake and moving’ - Charles Wesley

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Aloe Vera (Single bible)

loe vera is a plant species of the genus Aloe. It grows wild in tropical climates around the world and is cultivated for agricultural and medicinal uses. Aloe is also used for decorative purposes and grows successfully indoors as a potted plant. The succulent, long, green leaves contain aloe gel and a sticky yellow residue called latex. The plant is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall, spreading by offsets. The leaves are thick and fleshy, green to grey-green, with some varieties showing white flecks on their upper and lower stem surfaces. Jamaica is among several countries with commercial production of Aloe vera. Other countries include Australia, Bangladesh, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, China, Mexico, India, Kenya, Tanzania, USA and South Africa. The gel is the part of the aloe plant used most commonly, both topically and orally. Aloe latex (also known as drug aloe) contains anthraquinone gycosides, constituents that have strong laxative effects, so it is rarely found in commercial laxative products. Aloe Vera is frequently cited as being used in herbal medicine since the beginning of the first century AD. Aloe vera has been widely grown as an ornamental plant. It is popular with most gardeners as a putatively medicinal

plant and for its interesting flowers, form, and succulence. This succulence enables the plant to survive in areas of low natural rainfall, making it ideal for rockeries and other low water-use gardens. The plant is relatively resistant to most insect pests, though spider mites, mealy bugs, scale insects, and aphid species may cause a decline in plant health. In pots, the species requires welldrained, sandy potting soil and bright, sunny conditions; however, Aloe plants can burn under too much sun or shrivel when the pot does not drain the water. Extracts from A. vera are widely used in the cosmetics and alternative medicine industries, being marketed as variously having rejuvenating, healing, or soothing properties. Other medicinal benefits of Aloe Vera includes; cleanses the kidneys and bladder and removes all morbid matter from the stomach and intestines; it is a strong laxative that cleanses and purifies the intestines, bowels and colon.

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‘Faith, mighty faith, the promise sees, And looks to God alone; Laughs at impossibilities, And cries it shall be done’ - Thomas R Kelly

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Moringa

Moringa oleifera

oringa, a multipurpose tree native to the foothills of the Himalayas in northwestern India and cultivated throughout the tropics and grows approximately 5 to 10 m height. It is cultivated in most rural parishes of Jamaica and all over the world, due to its multiple utilities. Every part of Moringa is used for certain nutritional and/or medicinal purposes. Besides being a good source of protein, vitamins, oils, fatty acids, micro-macro minerals elements and various phenolics, it is also reported as anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, cardiovascular, hepatoprotective, antiulcer, diuretic, antiurolithiatic, and antihelmintic. Its multiple pharmaceutical effects are capitalized as therapeutic remedies for various diseases in the traditional medicinal system. Moringa has enormous medicinal potential. Most parts of this plant, including the root, bark, gum, leaf, fruit (pods), flowers, seed, and seed oil have been used for various ailments in the indigenous medicine, but recent research is also indi-

cating several active constituents for accepting its applicability in modern medicine. Moringa’s flowers and leaves are capable of controlling parasitic worms, their antihelmintic activity has been demonstrated during several studies. Moringa leaves contain several bio active compounds, which exert a direct effect on blood pressure, resulting in their use for stabilizing blood pressure. Moringa compounds believed to lead to blood pressure lowering effect includes nitrile, mustard oil glycosides and thiocarbamate glycosides. In addition, diuretic activity of Moringa exists in its roots, leaves, flowers, gum and the aqueous infusion of seeds. Moringa leaves also contain a bioactive phytoconstituent, ( b-sitosterol) with a cholesterol lowering effect. This compound is capable of reducing the cholesterol level from the serum of high fat diet fed rats. Several medicinal plants have been evaluated for their potential as therapeutic agent for diabetes. Moringa plant also has pertinent antifertility activity.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 22

‘For what is faith unless it is to believe what you do not see?’ - Richard J. Foster

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Neem

Azadirachta indica

eem is an evergreen tree which is endemic to the Indian subcontinent and has been introduced to many other areas in the tropics including Jamaica. It is the most important of the commercially available products of neem for organic farming and medicines. The earliest Sanskrit medical writings refer to the benefits of Neem’s fruits, seeds, oil, leaves, roots and bark. It is claimed that Neem provides an answer to many incurable diseases. Traditionally Neem products have been used against a wide variety of diseases which include heat-rash, boils, wounds, jaundice, leprosy, skin disorders, stomach ulcers and chicken pox. Modern research also confirms Neem’s curative powers for many diseases and provides indications that Neem might in future be used much more widely. Many medical practitioners believe that smallpox, chicken pox and warts can be treated with a paste of Neem leaves – usually rubbed directly on the infected skin. Experiments with smallpox, chicken pox, and fowl pox show that although neem does not cure these diseases, it is effective for purposes of prevention.

Neem leaf is used for leprosy, eye disorders, bloody nose, intestinal worms, stomach upset, loss of appetite, skin ulcers, diseases of the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease), fever, diabetes, gum disease (gingivitis), and liver problems. The leaf is also used for birth control and to cause abortions.

Every part of this plant finds use as medicine for itching, skin disease, leprosy, blood disorders, worms, diabetes, piles, dysentery, jaundice, vomiting, wounds, eye disease, paraplegia, female genital diseases and various fevers. More than 150 compounds have so been far isolated from Neem. Out of these seed account for 101 including 43 from the malodorous fraction, the leaves 37; and flowers, bark and root furnish the rest. Neem products are used for treatment of a whole gamut of diseases, including skin infection, cardiovascular disorder, diabetes and cancer. It has important fungicidal and Antimalarial properties. Nimbidin from neem oil is effective in various skin diseases.

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‘God's heart is the most sensitive and tender of all. No act goes unnoticed, no matter how insignificant or small’ - The Dalai Lama

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Cinnamon

Cinnamonum zeylanicum

innamomum verum, called "true cinnamon," Ceylon cinnamon or Sri Lanka cinnamon is a small evergreen tree belonging to the family Lauraceae, native to Sri Lanka. Among other species, its inner bark is used to make cinnamon. The old botanical synonym for the tree—Cinnamomum zeylanicum—is derived from Sri Lanka's former name, Ceylon. Sri Lanka still produces 80–90% of the world's supply of Cinnamomum verum, which is also cultivated on a commercial scale in Seychelles and Madagascar. Cinnamomum verum trees are 10–15 metres (32.8–49.2 feet) tall.

Spirulina

pirulina represents a biomass of cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) that can be consumed by humans and other animals. There are two species, Arthrospira platensis and Arthrospira maxima. Arthrospira is cultivated worldwide; used as a dietary supplement as well as a whole food; and is also available in tablet, flake and powder form. It is also used as a feed supplement in the aquaculture, aquarium and poultry industries. Spirulina is a great source of other nutrients including (according to Wikipedia): “It contains vitamins B1(thiamine), B-2 (riboflavin), B3(nicotinamide), B-6 (pyridoxine), B-9

The leaves are ovate-oblong in shape, 7–18 cm (2.75–7.1 inches) long. The flowers, which are arranged in panicles, have a greenish color, and have a distinct odor. The fruit is a purple (1-cm) drupe containing a single seed. Cinnamon is known to provide relief for the following medical conditions/symptoms, when combined with other herbs/spices.

(folic acid), vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin A and vitamin E. It is also a source of potassium, c a l c i u m , chromium, copper, iron, magn e s i u m , manganese, phosphorus, selenium, sodium and zinc. Spirulina contains many pigments which may be beneficial and bioavailable.”

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 24

‘For God Himself works in our souls, in the deepest depths, taking increasing control as we are progressively willing to be prepared for His wonder’ - Augustine

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Guinea Hen Weed

Petiveria alliacea uinea Hen Weed is a herb that is indigenous to the Amazon rainforest and the tropical areas of the Caribbean, Central and South America and Africa. In Jamaica, it has several names – guinea hen weed, guinea hen leaf, garlic weed or gully root. It perhaps is the stinkest bush you can find, but the Jamaican guinea hen weed which grows almost anywhere island-wide, and often overlooked, is strong in medicinal value. Guinea Hen Weed or anamu has a long history of use in all the countries where it grows. Herbalists have traditionally used Guinea Hen Weed for a wide variety of conditions including arthritis, digestive disorders, diabetes, cancer, pain relief and even to induce abortions. The plant has been widely used to reduce a vast array of medical conditions in traditional societies, particularly those of the Amazonian people. These societies used the plant to aid with generalized pain, cancer, snake bite, cold and flu, mental conditions, paralysis, fever, and as a remedy for arrow poisoning. Guinea Hen Weed relieves pain by reducing dietary and/or metabolic acid Its traditional use as a remedy for arthritis and rheumatism has been validated by clinical research that confirms its acid/pain relieving and anti-inflammatory effects. The plant lowers the acids in the blood glucose/sugar - While anamu has not been widely researched for diabetes, it had been documented to lower blood

Dr. Lawrence Williams, zoologist with Jamaica's Scientific Research Council, shows a specimen of the guinea hen weed growing wild outside his office.

sugar acid levels by more than 60 per cent in laboratory animals. This reflects herbal medical practice in Cuba where Guinea Hen Weed has been used as an aid for diabetes for many years. One heaping tablespoonful of the powdered plant is diffused in one litre of hot water. The resulting tea is drunk preferably on an empty stomach. An average dosage is four ounces (about half a cup) twice daily. Many persons are desperately looking for a quick fix – a magic bullet that will miraculously cure their acidic illness. The reality is that there is no quick fix. Like so many useful herbs, Guinea Hen Weed will give best results when combined with optimal base nutrition, alkalizing nutritional supplements, exercise, acid detoxification, stress management and adequate restful sleep.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 25

‘Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict’ - Oliver Wendell Holmes

Health and Wealth with ‘Miracle plants’

Dandelion

Taraxacum officinal he roots, leaves and flowers of the dandelion plant are a potent and healthy herbal medicine, although folks might think those yellow dots popping up in their landscape are just nuisance weeds. Not so, as the botanical name for dandelion – Taraxacum officinal – aptly describes its medicinal potential. Taraxacum translates into an “inflammation curative.” Officinal means that the lowly dandelion is revered as a bona fide, official medicinal plant. The use of the dandelion plant as a healing agent “predates written records,” but it is understood that the Greeks and the Chinese used dandelion compounds to aid in digestion, and as a liver tonic and diuretic. Traditional herbalists, both in the East and the West, have utilized the properties of the dandelion for liver support and as a blood purifier. It is this blood purifying action that intrigued Canadian researchers at the University of Windsor to pursue whether dandelion roots could be effective for individuals suffering from end stage blood cancer. The team experimented by applying dandelion root extract into petri dishes on “blood drawn from a leukemia patient and lab rats.” They discovered that the “dandelion root extract was effective in inducing apoptosis, or cell suicide, in tumor cells, while leaving healthy cells alone.” Each body is unique and all cancer treatment decisions are personal and made only after sound deliberation.

A combination of clean food, nutritional and immune building modalities – among many other alternative medicine treatments – may be required to ultimately win an individual’s battle against cancer. Yet it is generally agreed that chemotherapy is a shotgun blast of toxicity that kills cells indiscriminately and cripples the immune system. Your backyard dandelion’s roots specifically kill only the cancerous cells and enhances the immune system. Dandelions are not toxic, and they also offer a bevy of vitamins and minerals, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and Vitamin A, K, B6 and B12.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 26

CROP GUIDE

‘Every calling is great when greatly pursued’ - Mother Teresa

AVOCADO

January: Reap late-maturing varieties e.g., Collinson or Lula; control slugs with metaldehyde bait; and spray with fungicide to control scabs. February: Complete reaping of latematuring varieties - Collinson and Lula; start preparing mounds for planting; spray with fungicide to control scabs; March: Prepare mounds for planting, on free-draining soils; spray with fungicide to control scabs. April: Continue spraying to control scabs; apply Metaldehyde bait. May: Control slugs with Metaldehyde bait; continue applying NPK fertilizer; set to new fields or supply existing ones with budded or grafted plants. June: Supply existing fields with budded or grafted plants; control slugs with Metaldehyde bait. July: Begin reaping early fruits; avoid damage caused from dropping. August: Prepare mounds on free draining soils; weed young plants; wash plant trunks with mixture of lime and Metaldehyde to control slugs and prevent sunburn; continue reaping. September: Establish fields with budded or grafted plants; fertilize with NPK 10:10:20 or 16:9:18 fertilizer; control slugs; continue reaping. October: Continue planting; apply second fertilizer dressing; control slugs; put in fall plants; intercrop where practica-

ble. Complete reaping, prune. Apply third dressing of fertilizer to existing trees, using 10:10:10; maintain slug control using Metaldehyde bait. November: Intercrop with short-term low-growing crops, e.g. vegetables, peas; fertilize newly planted trees with sulphate of ammonia; reap out-ofseason varieties, e.g. Lula; and control weeds. December: Reap late-maturing varieties e.g., Lula and Collinson; continue intercropping with short-term crop-like vegetables; fertilize newly planted trees. Make sure that red mite is under control.

Avocado is Incredibly Nutritious

• What we refer to as “avocado” is the fruit of the avocado tree, called Persea americana. • This fruit is prized for its high nutrient value and is added to all sorts of dishes due to its good flavor and rich texture. It is the main ingredient in guacamole. • These days, the avocado has become an incredibly popular food among health conscious individuals. It is often referred to as a superfood… which is not surprising given its health properties. • There are many kinds of avocados, and the shape (from pear-shaped to round) and color (from green to black) can vary between them.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 27

‘God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it’ - Denis Waitley

BANANA

January: Protect fruit, trim and sleeve young bunches; prune and clean fields; apply nematicide/insecticide for controlling borer and nematodes. Contact your field officer of the Banana Board Research Department (BBRD) for advice on disease and insect control. Control leafspot disease. Propping is necessary. Part of disaster mitigation strategy. Catastrophe fund registration before January 31st each year. February: Apply fertilizers, NPK 15-5-35 and sulphate of ammonia or urea. Soil and leaf analysis from the BBRD should be used to determine fertilizer requirements. Bunch care and sleeve young bunches. Make preparation for spring planting. Control leafspot, control weeds. Propping is necessary. March: Begin spring planting; protect fruits; trim and sleeve young bunches; control borers and nematodes; continue control of leafspot disease; clean trenches to ensure good drainage. Prune fields. Propping is necessary. Report any strange symptoms on any part of the banana and plantain plants or fruits to the Banana Board. April: Complete spring planting; control borers and nematodes; prune and clean fields. Contact the Banana Board to ensure your new banana fields’ propping is necessary. Attend training sessions, meetings and field days to learn new methods to production and productivity. May: As part of disaster mitigation strategy it is best to plant in May/June to minimize risk of hurricane damage. However this can also be done at the onset of the spring rains

as well as the fall period. Apply sulphate of ammonia or urea to spring plants; fertilize ratoon plants with NPK15-5-35; sleeve young bunches; prune and clean fields; control leafspot and weeds. June: Fertilize spring plants with NPK 155-35. Bunch care and sleeve young bunches, control leafspot. Consult the BBRD for advice. Propping is necessary. As part of disaster mitigation strategy it is best to plant in May/June to minimize risk of hurricane damage. July: Begin preparation for fall planting, arrange for land preparation and suckers. Reduce thrip damage by sleeving shoots early; control leafspot, borer and nematodes. Propping is necessary. August: S l e e v e bunches early, continue preparation for fall planting. Fertilize fields, control Leafspot. Propping is necessary. September: Prune and clean existing fields; plant new fields; ensure proper drainage to meet rainy season; control leafspot disease; apply NPK 15:5:35 fertilizer; bunch, care and sleeve young bunches. Propping is necessary. October: Plant new fields; ensure that proper drainage is maintained; continue to protect fruits, trim and sleeve bunches; control leafspot. Propping is necessary. November: For best results, apply fertilizers based on the recommendations from the sampling and testing of soil and leaf tissues carried out by the guidance of the Board’s Field Officer. In the absence of recent testing, 112 to 224 grams (or 4 to 8 ounces) of 15.5.35 can be applied every 6 to 12 weeks for ratoon fields with intermittent application of urea or sulphate of ammonia. Continued on page 29

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 28

‘He who is filled with love is filled with God himself’ - Mother Teresa

COCOA

January: Monitor field for Black Pod Disease and rat-cut pods - place them in open area and burn. Pay close attention to Shade Management with 30% shade recommended in bearing cocoa fields. Excess shade encourages the development and spread of Black Pod disease. Good field sanitation is key to controlling Black Pod. Reap and supply all marketable beans. February: Continue monitoring for Frosty Pods; Black Pod and Rat Damage. Pay special attention to Shade Management and Field Sanitation. Reap and supply all marketable beans. March: Start preparing land for Spring planting (on the advice of your Cocoa Officer). Make request for seedlings for Fall planting. Plant bananas/plantains 8’ x 8’ for temporary shade. Reap and supply all marketable beans. April: Continue Black Pod and rat control. Contact your local Cocoa Officer for information on obtaining and setting rat bait. Reap and supply all marketable beans. Prepare holes for planting. May: Apply fertilizer - NPK 13-11-19 or 16-9-18 (one milk can per tree). Start Spring planting, if weather permits. Do general pruning as Fall crop ends. Remember to dig holes 18” x 18” x 18” i.e. long, wide and deep, holes should be 10’ apart. Monitor young plants for fiddler beetle attack. June: Continue monitoring for Fiddler Beetles - control weeds. Apply fertilizer (Sulphate) if necessary 1-2 oz. per plant around drip circle. Reap and supply beans where available.

July: Remove gormondizers - start early pruning by removing extra chupons. Monitor shade in newly established fields. August: Commence heavy pruning in spring crop areas. Prepare holes for full planting. Continue monitoring Shade and Rat Damage. September: Continue reaping all marketable beans to your collector. Rat control and Black Pod monitoring should also be continued. Maintain good field sanitation. October: Continue reaping all market-able beans. Rat and Black Pod Control must also be continued. November: Pruning and Shade Man-agement must be monitored. Reap and supply all marketable beans. December: Continue fall planting; Continue to monitor Black Pod disease. Start field sanitattion activities; weed control; removing rat and Black Pod damaged pods. Continued from page 28 Bury granular or dry fertilizers or dissolve in water and apply by fertigation or inject into the soil with injector pump (knapsack type). Broadcasting on the soil surface is least recommended. December: Control Leafspot disease, observe proper field sanitation and sleeve young fruits. Apply Mocap (active ingredient ethoprop) at rate of 20 grams per mat with applicator per mat (20 grams fill or approximate to a match box). Alternate with application of 7.5 millitres per mat of Vydate (active ingredient oxamyl) using prescribed applicator. Always wear full protective gears. Propping is necessary.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 29

‘If you judge people, you have no time to love them’ - Dag Hammerskjold

COCONUT

January: Obtain seedlings from the Coconut Industry Board. Continue weed control and reaping. Good planting season for St. Mary, St. Ann and Portland. February: Register with the Coconut Industry Board. Control rats by setting rat bait. March: Register with the Coconut Industry Board; remember to fertilize plants with NPK 12-4-28; good planting season for St. Mary, St. Ann and Portland. April: Reap regularly and deliver coconuts to licensed coconut processors; consider the spraying of all healthy trees with RIDOMIL MZ 58% WP against Bud Rot infection. Good planting season for St. Catherine, Clarendon, Manchester, St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover, St. James and Trelawny. May: Purchase contractual insurance for additional coverage against windstorm. Good planting season for all parishes.

June: Good planting season for all parishes. Purchase contractual insurance for additional coverage against windstorms. Continue to fertilize plants according to age. July: Keep weeds under control; good planting season for all parishes. August: Good planting season for all parishes. Consider the spraying of all healthy palms with RIDOMIL MZ 58% WP or RIDOMIL MZ 72% WP against Bud Rot infection. September: Ensure proper drainage in all sections of the field. Good planting season in all parishes. October: Continue to fertilize all trees. Good planting season for all parishes. November: Continue rat control and planting in all parishes. December: Store nuts in husk; good planting season for St. Mary, St. Ann, Portland, St. Thomas, Kingston and St. Andrew.

About Coconut

Coconut water is nature’s finest nutritious drink and best thirst quencher. ✓ Rich in potassium ✓ Contains calcium, iron, zinc ✓ Has B Vitamins and Vitamin C ✓ Low in carbohydrates ✓ Low in sugars

Coconut Oil Is Great! ✓ Helps maintain healthy ratio of Omega 6 to Omega 3 fatty acids ✓ Is easily digestible, easily oxidized – preferred source of energy ✓ Has antiviral, antibacterial and antiprotozooal properties does not contribute to cholesterol ✓ Important component of medicinal and baby foods

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 30

‘There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness’ - William Ellery Channing

CITRUS

January: Complete harvesting of grapefruit and early orange varieties; confirm arrangements for planting materials for spring planting and place new orders for fall planting; prepare lands, line out and make mounds for spring planting; continue planting in northern parishes; clean drains. February: Commence reaping of Ortaniques and Valencias if mature; follow rains with application of sulphate of ammonia to existing groves. Apply bait for slug control; continue molding; commence pruning and hot racking for resuscitation in reaped fields where necessary. March: Continue reaping of mature fruit; if trees have blossomed, apply 8:21:32 at 2/3yds petal fall or delay to coincide with this state. Band apply fertilizers on mature trees but broadcast trees up to year 3; continue tree-pruning and hat racking, slug control and conduct good weed control. April: If blossoming and Fiddler Beetle flights are delayed to this month or to May, carry out the related programmes at the appropriate stage and time; spray programmes may be necessary; accelerate reaping as all fruits are now of good quality. May: Reap at full speed as maximum quality is now available. If rainfall causes delay, then apply the March programme for fertilizers and Fiddler Beetles; control weeds, slugs and pests; rush completion of spring planting; continue budding. June: Control pests and diseases, apply summer oil spray for scale insects and mites, consult Extension Officer for spray programmes. July: Confirm plant supplies for fall and request supplies for the following spring; prepare mounds for fall planting; apply sul-

phate of ammonia and where needed, magnesium to mature groves; continue tree training. August: Complete land preparation. Reap summer fruit; continue slug control; for Ortaniques, control greasy spot with oil spray plus fungicide; prepare reaping bags and ladders. September: Commence reaping of grapefruit through to January; plant citrus through October in southern parishes; continue slug and weed control. October: Request Citrus Growers' Association to order seeds for use in April and May of the following year for producing root stock that is resistant to the Citrus Triztesa Virus (C.T.V.). Commence reaping early varieties of oranges. November: Maintain young grove hygiene, young tree training, slug control; commence all winter planting in northern parishes. Continue reaping of grapefruit early; discontinue budding. December: Continue from November. Stock chemicals needed for spring; discontinue budding.

CORN

January: Continue reaping green and dry corn, continue to sun dry corn to reduce moisture and harden kernels; select seeds from the best ears for spring planting; prepare adequate and suitable storage for dried corn - arrange proper pest control in storage and use when necessary. February: Begin preparations for early planting; ensure spraying equipment is in good condition; purchase seeds, fertilizers and chemicals. Purchase reliable ‘Pioneer’ seed variety. Prepare suitable storage for sun dried seeds after chemical treatment. Check with your extension officer. Continued on page 32

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 31

‘Pray that your loneliness may spur you into finding something to live for, great enough to die for’ - M. Scott Peck

CASSAVA

assava is relatively drought-resistant and is a particularly useful crop in all regions with alternating dry and rainy seasons. Cassava requires a warm climate. It is a starchy food, valuable as an energy source. Tubers average 33% carbohydrate (twice as potato), 1% protein and 0.3% fat. Cassava is also high in calcium, phosphorous and iron. Soil Cassava is adaptable to a wide range of soil types with varying soil fertility. Higher yields are obtained on soil types that are deep and more fertile. In contrast to customary yields of 3 to 5 metric tons per hectare on subsistent fields, yields of 30 tons or more have been produced on deep, friable, fertile soils. Land Preparation Rows should be well-ploughed and pulverized. Rows are placed 1-1 1/2 metres (39- 48 in) apart and cuttings are placed 1 metre (39 in) apart in rows. Cuttings should be about 25 cm (12 ins.) long.

Propagation Propagation is done by making cuttings from the stems of older plants. These plants should be at least 10 months old and 2.5 - 3.5 cm (1-2 ins) thick. Cuttings of some 25 cm in length are taken from the lower part of the stem after discarding the basal 20 cm and the upper part of the stem having less than 2.5 cm in diameter. Varieties The varieties grown successfully in Jamaica include Sao Pedro Preto (with high starch content), Bogor (sweet type) and Ambon (high protein).

Fertilization Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied at 3- month intervals during the life of the crop at a rate of 20 kgs per hectare. An application of 50 kg./hectare phosphate and 25 kg/hectare potash is recommended during the life of the crop.

Harvesting The cassava may be harvested within 9-12 months after planting, depending on variety and rainfall.

CORN

Continued from page 31 March: Begin planting with spring rains; spray to control Army Worms; apply other cultural practices. April: Continue spraying to control diseases and pests especially the Corn Ear Worm and Army Worm; complete planting spring crop by mid-April. May: Continue spraying against pests (especially the Corn Ear Worm and Army Worm), control weeds; apply second fertilizer dressing. June: Start reaping green corn; spray to control pest and diseases; make preparations to reap and store dried corns. July: Reap dry corn; dry to 12% moisture content; provide proper storage, ensure good pest control (rats, weevils, etc) while in storage. August: Start preparation for fall planting; order seeds, fertilizers and chemicals. September: Plant fall crop; spray (using systemic insecticides e.g. Azodrin) to control Army Worms; control weeds. October: Continue pest and disease control; apply fertilizer - consult Extension Officer. December: Continue reaping green corn; make preparations to store dried corn; ensure protection against rats, weevils, etc.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 32

‘Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, worn or consumed. Happiness is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace and gratitude’ - Saint Augustine

COFFEE

January: Continue cutback programme on old, unthrifty, low producing coffee trees. Cut to a height of 15-20 inches above the ground. Cover cut surfaces with anti-fungal paint; control weeds, pests and diseases especially in young coffee; complete fertilizing coffee in production; complete Coffee Berry Borer control; if reaping is completed, strip trees of all remaining berries; collect fallen berries and bury, or burn all that cannot be used. February: Complete cutback prog-ramme on old, unthrifty, low-producing coffee trees. Select land for spring planting; start preparation, i.e., clearing, lining, digging holes or furrows and add organic manure; check for slug damage then do shoot selection in cutback plants; control weeds mechanically or chemically; complete stripping and collection of fallen berries; bury or burn all that cannot be used; examine young berries and notify your extension officer if there are signs of Borer damage. March: Refill holes with soil, sand, organic manure by mixing thoroughly, then add 8 ounces of coffee planting mixture (8:21:32) or triple superphosphate in the upper inches of the hole; complete shoot selection on cutback; do topping at 3'-6"-4'-6" on young coffee plants; control pests and diseases if necessary. April: Start spring planting if rainfall is good. If there are 2 seedlings per pot, plant the 2 seedlings per hole in an upright position; seedlings 10 months old and over should be planted at a 45 degree angle in the direction in which the wind blows or across the contour; seedlings 9 months and under should be planted upright; where seedlings

have been planted one per hole, bend plants in the fall of the previous year to a 45 degree angle so as to produce a multiple shoot system (averaging 3 shoots). Fertilize trees in production with 8-16 ozs. NPK (15:5:35 or 23:10:20 or 16:9:18) depending on the age and condition of the trees and the soil type in which they are grown; reap all mature fruit before spraying is done. May: Continue spring planting with good rainfall. Put in permanent shade trees (spacing 40ft x 40 ft) in plot established in the fall of the previous year. Complete fertilizer programme. Control pests and diseases; select single shoot from topped plants; assist the spray team; provide water to mix chemicals; remove animals from your coffee field; keep windows, doors and all water containers closed during, and for 2 hours after spraying. June: Fertilize seedlings planted in the spring with 4-6 ozs sulphate of ammonia or 2-3 oz urea. Start inter-cropping programme with grains, yams and vegetables between coffee rows; establish temporary shade with plantains or bananas, spacing 20 ft x 7ft. July: Complete fertilizing of seedlings planted in May or June. Inspect trees for stress signs and add extra quantities of fertilizer if necessary. August: Start land preparation, i.e., clearing, digging holes, adding organic manure (chicken manure, coffee pulp, sludge or farmyard manure). Reap only cherry ripe berries to ensure good quality. Do not destroy branches while reaping as a good crop is needed every year; control weeds, pests (rats included) and diseases; select shoots from bent plants; reap your coffee 14 days after spraying has been completed. Continued on page 34

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‘To us also, through every star, through every blade of grass, is not God made visible if we will open our minds and our eyes’ - Rabindranath Tagore

FORESTRY

January: Order seedlings from the Forestry Department for all plantings through your local Rural Agricultural Development Authority Office or Officer at the Forestry Department. February: Control weeds in previous fall planting; begin cleaning and clearing, lining, staking and digging holes for spring planting. March: Continue weed control, digging holes, and procuring of forest tree seedlings. April: Thin and prune plantations six (6) years old; start planting procured hardwood seedlings at 15’ x 15’; Christmas tree seedlings at 6’ x 6’. May: Continue planting hardwood and Christmas tree species. Plant seedlings for use as fence posts 10’ apart. June: Thin out and prune existing timber plantations, over six years old, as well as

COFFEE

young Christmas trees for this year’s harvest. July: Begin land clearing, digging holes and preparing stakes for fall planting and control weeds in young plantations. Look out for forest fires. August: Continue land clearing for new plantations; control weeds in young plantations. Prepare for forest fires. September: Procure seedlings and plant hardwoods at 15' x 15' after first heavy showers; plant Christmas trees at 6'x 6', live fence posts 10' apart, and fast-growing species. October: Complete planting programme early in the month; order seedlings for spring planting in the next year. November: Control weeds in young plantations; prepare to harvest mature Christmas trees. December: Harvest and market Christmas trees; identify marginal lands for conservation planting.

pot; establish permanent shade in open and exposed areas in plots established in the Continued from page 33 September: Continue to reap cherry ripe spring. coffee with care. Complete refilling holes November: Complete fall planting; fertilby adding 8 ozs. coffee planting mixture ize seedlings planted in September and Oc(8:21:32) or triple superphosphate to mix- tober with 4-6 oz. sulphate of ammonia or ture of soil and organic manure; start fall 2-3 oz. urea; fertilize seedlings planted in the spring with 8 oz NPK 15:5:35. Interplanting if rainfall is good. October: Plant 2 seedlings per hole and in crop with vegetables, pulses etc. (No corn, an upright position; continue fall planting by sweet potato or pigeon peas). Plant bananas selecting and planting mature seedlings at and/or plantains as temporary shade or 45 degree angle if there is one seedling per companion crop. pot; establish permanent shade in open and December: Start cutting back; remove foexposed areas in plots established in the liage with cutlass, make final cut with saw 12-15 inches at 45 degree angle, cover with spring. October: Plant 2 seedlings per hole and in anti-fungal paint. Fertilize trees in producan upright position; continue fall planting by tion with 16 oz. NPK 15:5:35 or 23:10:20 or selecting and planting mature seedlings at 16:9:18 and 8 oz. of sulphate of ammonia if 45 degree angle if there is one seedling per necessary depending on age and soil type; control weeds, pests and diseases. Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 34

GRAINS AND PULSES

January: Begin to reap red peas crop. February: Continue land preparation; begin major planting in all areas; stop growing red peas on the plains; plant only on hillsides. Complete harvesting of October red peas crop.

March: Continue land preparation and general planting in all parishes. April: Start planting peanuts; continue general pest and disease control. May: Continue planting peanuts; reap early crops; control pest and diseases. June: Reap, dry, and market major crops if storing, contact your Storage and Pest Infestation Officer for advice; plant cow peas at low elevations. July: Complete reaping; select and or obtain planting - protect against weevils, rats, etc. August: Obtain, treat, and store planting materials; control weeds, pests and diseases. September: Prepare land for planting; get planting material ready. October: Reap major crops before heavy rains set in; procure, treat and store planting material; plant (in areas of moderate rainfall). November: Continue reaping mature crops and select good planting materials for spring planting. December: Continue reaping; procure, treat and store planting materials for spring planting.

MANAGING COFFEE LEAF RUST DISEASE

(HEMILEIA vastatrix)

What is Coffee Leaf Rust? offee Leaf Rust is a fungus that infects the leaves of coffee plants at all stages of plant growth. What are the sign of the disease? • It has a yellow to orange color • It is powdery • It is found on the back (underside) of the coffee leaves

How does the disease spread? • By Spores; the spores are dispersed by wind, rainfall, insects, birds and human activities. Ideal conditions for the disease The agents that cause the disease are: • Temperature • Wind • Poor agronomic practices

Effects of the disease • Reduces the plant’s ability to produce its own food. • Reduces the plant’s fruit production. • High presences of the disease will lead to leaf fall and subsequent plant death. Chemical Control (Use of Fungicides) • Copper Based Fungicides: prevents spores from germinating and penetrating leaves. Use before the disease is established on leaves. • Systemic Fungicides: penetrate the leaf tissues and also have the possibility of moving across the leaf structure from the point of application.

Coffee Industry Board 1 Willie Henry Drive, Kingston 15 758-1259 / 758-2925 or www.ciboj.org

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 35

‘It is during our darkest moments that we must focus to see the light’ - Aristotle Onassis

IRISH POTATO

January: Control weeds, pests and diseases; in early January, complete fall planting in Guys Hill, Lucky Hill and Sherwood Forest areas. Make preparations for planting spring crop (major crop), in the Christiana area. Start planting in Pike, Low River and Cascade areas. February: Start planting spring crop (major crop), in Christiana area; spray to control blight and insects. No planting should be done in the Guys Hill area. March: Complete most of your planting of spring crop in the Christiana area. Reap crops in Guys Hill. April: Continue spraying every 7 days in normal weather and twice weekly if rains persist. Start reaping fall crop (Guys Hill area) make preparation for summer crop, weed crop. Complete all planting of Christiana spring crop by the middle of the month. May: Start reaping spring crop (Christiana) - no planting for the Christiana area; continue spraying to control pests and early blight; begin preparation for summer crop (South Manchester). June: Continue reaping spring crop, continue preparations for summer crop; cease spraying; prepare for temporary storage. July: Start planting summer crop (South Manchester); complete reaping spring crop in Christiana and Darliston. August: Complete planting summer crop; spray to control pests and diseases.

September: Continue spraying against pests and diseases. Make preparation for fall crop in Christiana area. October: Start reaping summer crop; make preparations for fall crop. November: Begin planting fall crop (Darliston, Lucky Hill, Guys Hill, Sherwood Forest, Hounslow, Ridge Pen and Mountain Side). December: Continue planting fall crop (Darliston, Lucky Hill, Guys Hill, Sherwood Forest, Hounslow, Ridge Pen and Mountain Side.

PLANTING TIPS

• Irish potatoes are not grown from seed like most other vegetables. Instead, pieces from the potato itself start new plants. • Farmers should purchase good seed potatoes that are free of disease and chemicals. Do not buy potatoes from a grocery store for planting.

• The seed potato contains buds or "eyes" which sprout and grow into plants. The seed piece provides food for the plant until it develops a root system. Too small a seed piece produces a weak plant. Large seed potatoes for the spring crop should be cut into pieces that weigh about 1 1/2 to 2 ounces (about the size of a medium hen egg).

• Each seed piece must have at least one good eye (see figure 4). Cut the seed 5 or 6 days before planting. Hold the cut seed in a well-ventilated spot so it can heal over to prevent rotting when planted in cold, wet or very hot weather.

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‘Don't judge each day by the harvest you reap but by the seeds that you plant’ - Robert Louis Stevenson

MANGO

January: Continue spraying with copper fungicide or Benlate to control anthracnose and mildew; spray with Malathion or white oil to control scales, thrips and aphids. February: Spray with contact and systemic insecticide. e.g., Malathion to control fruit flies. Control weeds as this will ensure that there are limited resting places for insects. March: Continue spraying with contact and systemic insecticides to control fruit flies. April: Continue spraying with systemic insecticides to control fruit flies. May: Continue spraying to control fruit flies; fertilize with NPK e.g. 10:10:10 in the absence of definitive information concerning soil type; fertilizer recommendations should be on the basis of soil analysis and preferably supported by leaf or tissue analysis. June: Spray to control fruit flies and fertilize with NPK. July: Ensure that control measures are still in place to discourage fruit flies and fertilize with 10:10:10. August: Make preparations for planting, preferably after the first rains; plant commercial varieties - Tommy Atkins, Keitt, St. Julian and East Indian. September: Start planting, making sure that plants are of good quality.

October: Continue planting; remove any shoots growing from the rootstock; apply 10:10:10 fertilizer; spray with Lebaycid and Malathion to control fruit flies, mildew and anthracnose; consult your Extension Officer. November: Spray with fungicide to control mildew and Anthracnose. December: Spray to control anthracnose, mildew, scales, thrips etc; consult your Extension Officer.

PLANTING TIPS

• Mangoes are accustomed to hot and dry climates so plant in full sun and do not over water. A good rule is to water a newly planted tree every three days for the first month, once a week for the next two months, and only during extended dry spells after that. • Be careful of over watering while fruit is developing as this can cause the fruit to burst.

• Pruning is not recommended for amateurs and should only be done with sterilized blades.

• Mango seeds do not produce the same quality fruit as the tree they originate from. If you eat a particularly flavorful mango, its seed will not produce the same delicious fruit. For this reason, many mango trees are grafted.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 37

‘Hope is a waking dream’ - Aristotle

ONIONS & ESCELLIONS

January: Establish nurseries or sow directly Texas Early Grano, Granex Hybrid, thin out and transplant seedlings sown in November; control weeds, pests and diseases; thin out transplant seedlings sown in November, Texas Early Grano, New Mexico Yellow Grano, particularly in areas with irrigation. February: Begin drying of mature onions sown in previous September (partially those with bent tops and withhold water by late February; reap when 3/4 of field has dried down); prepare land and plant spring varieties, e.g. New Mexico White and Yellow Grano, El Toro, Tropic Ace, Amber Express. March: Continue reaping, thoroughly sun dry to reduce moisture before bagging and storing; begin spring planting of “out-of-season” spring varieties e.g. New Mexico Yellow, New Mexico Brown; thin out and transplant seedlings sown in January (above 2,000 ft. in elevation if irrigation is available): thin out generally where stand is thick; continue sowing spring varieties. April: Continue reaping, mature harvest sown in November; sun cure bulbs properly before storing; continue planting spring varieties.

May: Reap onions sown in November, December (harvest mature bulbs; airdry in appropriate storage trays (mesh), then store allowing for free movement of air). June: Complete reaping fall crop; begin reaping onions sown in January and February; properly dry bulbs before bagging. July: Continue reaping varieties; begin preparations for fall crop; plant where water is available (Texas Early Grano, Granex Hybid, Red Creole). August: Continue land preparation; harvest spring crop; begin major planting of fall varieties (Texas Early Grano, Granex Hybid, Red Creole); apply preemergen herbicides e.g., TOK E-25 or Dacthal at time of planting; ensure adequate water for seed germination and steady growth. September: Reap spring crop; continue sowing fall varieties; apply pre-emergence herbicides, eg. TOK E-25 and Dacthal. October: Continue sowing all varieties; rigidly control weeds and pest. November: Continue planting all fall varieties; ensure adequate moisture, especially through germination and early stage of growth; control weeds, pests and diseases. December: Continue sowing fall varieties; (ensure adequate water for germination and early growth; control weeds, pests and diseases).

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 38

‘Change your thoughts and you change your world’ - Norman Vincent Peale

SUGAR CANE

ive your ‘Plant Cane’ the right start by using the correct machinery and implements to obtain good tillage.

• Harrow and cross-harrow to a depth of 2530 cm (10’-12’). Keep cool by covering with a layer of trash until required.

• If soil is hard and dry, rip soil to a depth of 45 cm (18’). Cross-rip if necessary. Harrow the field afterwards to get soil to a fine enough tilt. • Survey and level using land plane if necessary to improve irrigation and drainage.

•Construct straight furrows to the recommended row width of 1.52 m or 1.67 m (5' or 5' 6") apart. •Use healthy seed cane of age 5-7 months, disease-resistant and varieties as recommended by SIRI.

•Planting should be done immediately after furrowing to conserve soil moisture. Good plant population is essential to obtaining high cane yields. Use the recommended seed cane rate at planting, that is 7.5-10 t/ha (3-4 tc/ac) allowing for about 20% overlapping. Where long canes are used, these should be slashed at 60 cm length (2'). Cover seed cane to a depth of 5-10 cm (2"4"). •Apply fertilizer as recommended at planting and/or at 6-8 weeks as top dressing. Contact your SIRI Agronomist for recommendation on fertilizer usage.

• Where irrigation is practiced, irrigate immediately after planting, then at 7 days later. Subsequent irrigation can be applied at 1014 day intervals until a 14-21 day cycle, can be maintained. Always irrigate before applying fertilizers.

• Apply pre-emergent herbicide within 3 days after irrigation, or after planting and keep the field free of weeds. • Planting dibbled 2-eye setts; Drop 5 to 8 tc/ha of freshly cut seed cane on prepared field site; keep cool by covering with a layer of trash until required; Cut seed pieces with 2 nodes; approximately 25,000 tops should plant one hectare. • Insert at an angle with eyes facing upwards, with aid of pick ax or mattock; Press soil against setts by stepping on overlying soil; apply first dosage of recommended fertilizer. • Supplying - Within 4 weeks of planting or as soon as germination is over, fill gaps if they are more than 45 cm (18") wide to obtain maximum stalk population.

• Molding - Mold at 10-12 weeks for bank formation after all fertilizers are applied.

•Harvesting - The harvesting period for sugar cane in Jamaica normally extends from November to June. Starting time varies among factories from late November to early January. The best results are obtained when harvesting activities are maximised around the peak sucrose period, which is mid-February to mid-April. •At harvesting, the aim is to maximise sucrose recovery by reducing losses caused by stale cane or actual loss of cane. Cane yielding above 75 tc/ha and JRCS above 10.5 give best results. Continued on page 40

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 39

‘Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present’ - Jim Rohn

PIMENTO

January: Apply cultural practices such as keeping trees free of heavy undergrowth and entangling vines; get rid of unnecessary trees to avoid overcrowding. If area is prone to rust disease, control by spraying with Dithane M 45 at a mixture of 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon of water (using knapsack spray pan) or 2 pounds in 20 gallons water (with mist blower), add sticker; control black ants by using diazinon, 2 tablespoons to 1 gallon water regularly on crocus bags tied around trunk of trees. February: Continue spraying with fungicide, Dithane M 45; young leaves are susceptible; make preparations for spring planting; control black ants. March: Trees begin to flower, in western parishes. Plant new trees using grafted plants obtained from the Ministry of Agriculture - weather permitting. Discontinue spraying for rust disease. Repeat treatment for black ants and make preparations for fertilizing. April: Apply NPK fertilizer to existing trees; use 12:10:18 or 10:10:20; continue planting new plants. Trees flowering. May: Prepare barbecues and drying equipment and make preparations for reaping. Most trees are in flowering stage. June: Harvesting likely to begin in west-

Sugar Cane

ern parishes; use clippers (available from Jamaica Pimento Growers’ Association) instead of breaking the branches to reap berries; dry on clean barbecues. July: Continue reaping of green, mature berries. Do not allow berries to get wet during the drying process; store safely in crocus bags after drying. Get correct information on price; current price $15.50/lb. August: Continue to harvest crop by clipping; breaking shocks the tree; offer for sale clean, cured pimento to authorized buyers. Avoid ripe berries. Improve field sanitation by spreading discarded branches around trees or selling to leaf-oil factories only during harvest time. September: Plant new trees at recommended distances, 25' x 25'; circle weed and fertilize existing trees with 2.5 lb of recommended mixture after completion of reaping. October: Complete planting and fertilizing; control vegetation and black ants. November: Ensure that proper cultural practices are carried out by keeping grove free of heavy bush, and by sawing off dead and decaying branches; paint cut surfaces. December: Continue cultural practices.

• Canes scheduled to be harvested in the Continued from page 39 • Start maturity testing at least 4 weeks prior early period of the crop, i.e. November to to the commencement of harvesting; discon- January can be treated with chemical ripener tinue irrigation practice about 4 weeks be- to enhance sucrose levels by spraying 4-5 fore scheduled reaping date to allow for weeks before the scheduled reaping date. ripening. Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 40

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 41

(876) 967-5815 (876) 948-3772

salesandtech@newportfersan.com Info@newportfersan.com www.newportfersan.com

Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Ltd, 2A / 2B Wherry Wharf Complex, Newport East, Kingston 15

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Pasture (grass) feeding for cattle

ver the past year, the Jamaica Dairy Development Board established several hundred acres of improved pasture grass on farms throughout the island. These grass varieties include Mulato 11, Mombasa and Cayman Grass. The grasses were established across mainly dairy clusters in St. Thomas, St. Catherine, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth Pasture grazing is the natural means of feeding cattle. Cattle and other ruminants do well when fed quality forage. Supplementation with grains and minerals support increased production of both meat and milk.

Pasture Management Tips • Pasture is the most abundant and cheapest feed for cattle. • Well managed pastures can supply cattle with most of the necessary nutrition and energy.

• By grazing lush grassland, cattle take in adequate protein, energy, vitamins and minerals (unless soils are very low in certain important trace minerals).

• Quality of pasture depends on a number of factors, including: - Type of plants grown - Level of maturity of plants at harvest - Adequate moisture during growth - Soil fertility - Fertilization

For further information contact:

JAMAICA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 Tel: (876) 618-7107 • Fax (876) 977-9230 • Email: dairyboard@micaf.gov.jm

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Good dairy farming practices

• Animals that produce milk need to be healthy and an effective health care programme should be in place. • Choose breeds and animals well suited to the local environment and farming system. • Determine herd size and stocking rate based on management skills, local conditions and the availability of land, infrastructure, feed, and other inputs • Vaccinate all animals as recommended or required by local animal health authorities. • Prevent entry of disease onto the farm. • Have an effective herd health management programme in place.

• Sick animals should be attended to quickly and in an appropriate way. • Keep sick animals isolated. • Separate milk from sick animals and animals under treatment. • Use all chemicals and veterinary medicines as directed • Use chemicals according to directions, calculate dosages carefully and observe appropriate withholding periods • Only use veterinary medicines as prescribed by veterinarians • Milk should be harvested and stored under hygienic conditions. Equipment used to harvest and store milk should be suitable and well maintained.

For further information contact:

JAMAICA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD Hope Gardens, Kingston 6 Tel: (876) 618-7107 • Fax (876) 977-9230 • Email: dairyboard@micaf.gov.jm

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 45

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Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 46

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Slight Toxicity

Detia®

Diatomaceous Algae 100%

Always exercise caution and wear proper safety gear when handling, preparing and using insecticides; keep out of reach of children. Refer to Product Instructions for correct usage.

Organic!

CROP & LIVESTOCK INSECTICIDE

Wettable Powder Insecticide; novel mode of action that clings to waxy exoskeleton of insects, dehydrating them.

Active Ingredient: Silicon Dioxide

Available at Hi-Pro Farm Supplies and leading farm stores islandwide. Telephone: 984-7918/619-1302

Controls insects including BLACK BEETLE, White flies, Aphids, Thrips, Caterpillars, Mites and Ants in crops such as Leaf Vegetables, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Tomatoes, Peppers, Onions, Eggplants, Carrots, Potatoes, Melon, Cucumber, Ornamentals, Banana, Plantain, Sugar Cane, Pasture, Mangoes, Fruit Trees, Papaya, Pineapple, Citrus, Coffee and Cocoa. Controls insects such as Weevils, and Grain Moth in stored grains. Also controls Red Poultry Mite, Darkling Beetles, Ants, Spiders, Scorpions, Centipedes, Cockroaches, Beetles, Weevils and other crawling insects in animal husbandry.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 48

“Try not to become a person of success, but rather try to become a person of value.” – Albert Einstein

ORNAMENTALS

January: Spray with fungicide to control mildew; control slugs with metaldehyde bait; prepare beds for annuals (asters, carnations, petunias, salvias, etc); sow seeds, fertilize spring flowering bulbs; procure planting material and horticultural supplies, e.g. chemicals; propagate African violet from leaf cuttings; spray bouganvillea to discourage chewing insects; propagate cane begonia from slips taken at mature joints, then set where one wants to establish plants; make beds for annuals. February: Plant cane begonia, geranium, dahlia, gloxinia, caladium. Prune orchids and African violets for upcoming shows; as a precautionary measure spray with insecticides and fungicides against pests; turn mulch on annual beds; set annual seeds in beds or boxes; treat against insects attack; circumpose roses and other perennials; remove faded blooms from chrysanthemum to encourage prolonged bloom. March: Plant annuals on beds; prune and manure roses according to varieties, cut overhangs from lilies and other bulbs; cut back euphorbias (including poinsettias); propagate shrubs; examine orchid show prize lists and manicure entries; examine seedlings and circumposed shoots to determine readiness for independent life; prepare deep, well-manured holes for receiving specimen plants; severely prune and fertilize roses; severely cut back poinsettia, snow-onthe-mountain. April: Complete preparations for Flower Show; severely prune bouganvilleas, allamandas, hibiscus, etc; remove spent flowers from annuals (to prolong flowering); apply fertilizer; train vines and all trailing plants;

plant out seedlings, specimen plants; set slips of all perennials; weed lawn and order topsoil to refresh lawn surface; set croton slips to root in shallow water; pot off African violet plantlets set in January; take in, clean and store lily bulbs. May: Plant shrubs; reap and store lily bulbs and dahlia tubers; control weeds, pests and diseases; check show diary for participation in nationwide events which are a valuable source of obtaining desired plants; divide chrysanthemum; make canna beds and dress heavily with household debris, lawn rakings. June: This is the start of the hurricane season which continues until November; strengthen arbors, ensure that walls and terraces are secured against flooding; when hurricane warning is issued, reduce height of shrubs to ensure that they are not overturned by wind; remove tree branches which threaten buildings; continue reaping lily bulbs and dahlia tubers; sow seeds of summer annuals (e.g., bachelor's button, marigolds, zinnias, calendulas, petunias); prepare beds for cannas; severely cut back euphorbias; make compost using yellow yams and continue reaping early crop. July: Plant cannas; ensure adequate watering; control weeds, pests and diseases; apply mulch for moisture conservation and weed control; the midsummer sun dictates that frequent watering of plants commences; deeply saturate soils, do not sprinkle them; lightly mulch to conserve moisture; make beds for calosia, cock's comb and zinnia, then sow seeds; cut back poinsettia, snow on the mountain. Continued on page 50

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 49

‘There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm’ Aldo Leopold, A Sand County Almanac

ORNAMENTALS Continued from page 49

August: Apply compost to flower beds; plant annuals; continue mulching to conserve moisture and control weeds; heavily pruned June roses should be fertilized; prepare gerbera beds to receive divisions in October; beware of chewing insects; spray them as soon as they are detected; shade pot plants, top up with compost or animal manure; water orchids twice daily, fertilize once per week. September: Add compost to lawn, spread evenly; give second pruning to perennial shrubs, e.g., hibiscus, June rose, Allamanda; fertilize; chrysanthemums; plant bulbs (begonias, dahlias, etc.); separate gerbera rootstock into small plants and re-establish beds or plant new beds; control pests and diseases; begin preparing plants for fall season shows; cut lawn clearly in advance of October rains; plant gladiolus corms; make new rose beds.

October: Fertilize anthuriums with highpotash mixture, eg., 5:10:20; intensively cultivate chrysanthemums; prune roses, fertilize, control weeds, pests and diseases; this is Jamaica's "second spring" when all gardening tasks are accelerated; safely divide, transplant and establish seedlings and cuttings; transplant gerbera. Look out for Anthracnose; spray with Antracol and Dithane. November: Continue cultivating chrysanthemums; control weeds, pests and diseases; trim hedges severely and

weed and mow lawn; repaint garden furniture; prepare arrival garden; prepare gift plants for charity shows and friends. December: Improve general appearance of your garden; review arrangements and planting and water conservation programmes; ensure tools and equipment are in good working order; remove overhanging vegetation from poinsettia; clip faded flowers from "tree chrysanthemums" to prolong flowering; set dahlia tubers and store gladiolus corms.

Be Connected with......

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Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 50

‘It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work’ Cato The Elder

VEGETABLES

January: Plant all vegetables - celery, onion, cauliflower, zucchini, string beans, lettuce, cabbage, broccoli, tomato, carrot; ensure adequate moisture; apply fungicides and insecticides to protect your crops. February: Plant sweet corn, onion, egg plant, cauliflower, broccoli, squash, string beans, cabbage, tomato, sweet and hot pepper, watermelon; ensure adequate water, control weeds, pests and diseases. Start Irish potato planting in areas of Manchester and Clarendon. March: Continue planting all vegetables e.g. sweet pepper (eg. California Wonder, Keystone Resistant variety); cauliflower, broccoli, pumpkin, watermelon, cabbage (where water is available), cantaloupe, sweet corn; plant head lettuce and celery (over 2,000 ft.); plant lettuce (Loose Leaf Mignonette) at lower elevations; plant spring onions; spray to control pests and diseases. April: Apply cultural practices to all vegetable crops; plant tomato; prepare fields for warm-season crops; e.g. hot pepper, okra, sweet corn, pumpkin, cabbage; ensure proper field sanitation. Continue planting spring onions. May: Ensure proper drainage; plant warm-season crops; cucumber, pumpkin, egg plant, okra, watermelon. Plant M82 and Roma tomato. Commence reaping spring onions. June: Put in place measures to control pests and diseases; continue planting warm-season vegetables.

July: Continue pest, disease and weed control; ensure spray and other equipment are in good working condition; arrange for fertilizers, seeds and chemical preparation for winter vegetables; make contact and arrange markets (export and local). August: Complete planting summer vegetables, e.g. pumpkin, cucumber, cabbage; commence preparation for fall onions; continue land preparation for winter vegetables; e.g. sweet pepper, sweet corn, cantaloupe, string beans, zucchini. September: Start planting winter vegetables; e.g. cantaloupe, sweet pepper, zucchini; consult your extension officers on pest and disease control, and soil conservation measures. Start planting fall crop of onion; sweet corn and scotch bonnet pepper, corn. October: Continue planting winter vegetables; plant celery, cucumber, head-lettuce, cabbage, beet; control weeds, pests and diseases; provide adequate drainage in heavy rainfall areas; increase spraying cycle if rains persist. November:Ensure proper field sanitation and disease, pest and weed control. Continue planting vegetables; prepare lands in Guys Hill, and Carron Hall for Irish potato planting. December: Ensure adequate drainage especially on heavy soils; consult your Extension Officer; plant tomato (Late Blight-resistant strains; start planting all winter vegetables such as cantaloupe, sweet pepper, zucchini; control weeds. Complete planting of Irish potato in Guys Hill, Blackstonedge and Carron Hall areas.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 51

‘Agriculture, the only honest way, wherein man receives a real increase of the seed thrown into the ground,’ Franklin Benjamin

YAM

ost varieties of yam are seasonal which means they must be planted at a particular time and will sprout naturally only in special months. Yellow yam and Negro yam are less seasonal than the others. December: Plant - Negro yam and Lucea yam. Harvest Negro yam, Lucea yam, Tau yam, White yam, St Vincent and Sweet yam. January: Plant Negro yam and Lucea yam. Harvest - Tau yam, St. Vincent yam, Hard yam, Renta and Sweet yam. February: Plant Negro yam, Lucea yam. Harvest - Tau yam, St. Vincent, Hard yam, Renta yam and Yampie.

Growing Callaloo

March: Plant Negro yam, Lucea yam and Sweet yam. Harvest -Tau yam, White yam, St. Vincent, Hard yam, Sweet yam and Yampie. April: Plant Tau yam, White yam, St. Vincent, Hard Yam, Sweet yam and Yampie. Harvest -White yam, Hard yam, St Vincent and White yam. May-June: (May is yam, spelt backways, the main season for planting yam). Plant - Renta yam, Sweet yam, Yampie, Hard yam, St Vincent yam, White yam, and Tau yam. Harvest -Renta, Tau yam. July-November: Harvest Negro yam and Lucea yam. Yellow yam can be planted all year round depending on rainfall.

riginating as a backyard garden crop callaloo is an important non-traditional export crop commodity earning in excess of US$2 million annually. The edible parts of the plant are low in saturated fats and contain beneficial nutrients such as protein, lysine and fiber.

SITE SELECTION Callaloo will grow well on most soils as long as there is adequate supply of water, free drainage, rich in organic matter, and with maximum exposure to sunlight. Soil should be ploughed to a depth of 15-20 cm and make into bed.

Viable seeds for planting, which can be purchased at farm stores islandwide, are sown in the beds and cover with about 1/4 inch of soil either near the planting site or on some other plot of land. The seedbed may be covered with a mesh material that allows at least 70 per cent of light penetration. This barrier will help to keep major pest from attacking the seedlings. Continued on page 53

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 52

‘The ultimate goal of farming is not the growing of crops, but the cultivation and perfection of human beings’ Masanobu Fukuoka, The One-Straw Revolution

Callaloo

Continued from page 52

TRANSPLANTING The best time for transplanting the young, but hardened, callaloo plants is during the cooler times of the day, late evening (preferably) or early morning. Seedlings are replanted into pre-prepared beds into which organic manure is incorporated. The recommended planting distance is 30 cm within rows and 45 cm between rows. Callaloo responds well to both organic (animal manure) and inorganic fertilisers (commercial fertiliser). Organic fertiliser also includes broken down materials from compost and is more environmentally friendly than the inorganic type. Although a fairly lucrative crop, callaloo is plagued by many leaf eating pests (caterpillars, worms) that adversely affect yield and marketability.

PESTS The pest, especially caterpillars, can reduce yield by as much as 100 per cent in high infestation, consequently, farmers rely heavily upon chemical pesticides to reduce crop damage. The frequent use of pesticides has led pest to develop resistant to popular pesticides, which adds to the level of environmental contamination.

WEEDING Fields should be manually weeded to control weed, as weed-killing herbicides will burn the callaloo plant. Note that timely removal of weeds can reduce pest and disease incidence.

HARVESTING The crop is ready for harvest 3-4 weeks after transplanting and should be harvest once per week. Shoot should be cut before they develop bark tissue and seeds. Estimated yields range from 642.7-734.1 kg/hectare (3,500-4,000 lbs./acre) per week at peak production. Current market price J$40/kg ($80 per lb.). A crop may last 6-8 months depending on the field conditions such as weather and pest and disease pressure. Callaloo should be reaped during the cooler period of the day and harvested stalks should be kept in a shaded area to retard wilting.

Calver t y Farm S tore & H ar dwa r e “Good People, Good Product” Farm tools and equipment • Fertilizers • Seeds • Animal Feeds • Pesticides A wide range of hardware supplies -----------------------------------------------

27 Cumberland Road, Spanish Town, St. Catherine richardsjuliet1966@gmail.com

997-4900

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 53

‘The soil is the great connector of lives, the source and destination of all’ Wendell Berry, The Unsettling of America: Culture and Agriculture

WHAT & WHEN TO PLANT Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigaJANUARY

Beetroot - does best during the cool months (September to January) it can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - does best during the cool months (September to January); can be grown year-round with irrigation and rigid pest control. Carrot - can be grown year-round if water is available and with proper disease control; does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round; does best in cool months. Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate; can be grown at lower elevations during the cool months (September to January). Cucumber - grown year-round. Escellion - grown year-round. Hot Pepper - grown year -round Egg Plant - grown year-round. Lettuce - grown year-round during cool months and with good water supply (Sept to January) Okra - grown year-round at low elevations; hot months in high areas. Pumpkin - grown year-round. Radish - does best at high elevations during the cool months. Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months at high elevations. String Beans - grown year-round, although it does best during cool season. Thyme - grown year-round Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation, although older varieties such as Oxheart are not very heat-resistant. Turnip - cool climate essential and thus grows best at high elevations. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini- can be grown year-round.

FEBRUARY

Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation.

tion and rigid pest control. Carrot - can be grown year-round if water is available with good disease control. Cauliflower- can be grown year round. Celery - does best at high elevations. Cucumber - grown year-round. Escellion - grown year-round. Okra - grown year round at low elevations, hot months in high areas. Pumpkin - grown year-round. String Beans - grown year-round, although it does best during cool seasons. Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation. Thyme - grown year-round. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini- Grown year-round.

MARCH

Beetroot - can be grown at high elevations yearround or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and rigid pest control. Carrot -grown year-round if water is available. Celery- does best at high elevations and in cool climate. Cantaloupe- September to April. Cucumber- can be grown year-round. Egg Plant- can be grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Lettuce- can be grown year-round. Okra- grown year-round at low elevations, hot months in high areas. Onion - March to April Pumpkin- grown year-round. String Beans- grown year-round. Tomato- grown year-round with irrigation, although older varieties such as Oxheart are not very heat-resistant. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini- can be grown year-round.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 54

‘Farming is a profession of hope’ Brian Brett

WHAT & WHEN TO PLANT APRIL JUNE

Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation. Carrot - can be grown year-round, though it does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round. Cantaloupe - September to April. Cucumber - can be grown year-round. Egg Plant - can be grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Lettuce - can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot months in high areas. Pumpkin - grown year-round. Onions - March to April. String Beans - grown year-round, although it does best in the cool season. Tomato - grown year round, with irrigation. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini- grown year-round.

MAY

Beet Root- can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and rigid pest control. Carrot - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cucumber - can be grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months. Pumpkin - grown year-round. String Beans - grown year-round, although it does best during cool seasons. Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation.

Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and good pest control. Carrot - plant at elevations above 1,000 ft. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round with proper pest management. Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations. Grown in high areas during hot months . Pumpkin - grown year-round. String Beans - grown year-round at high elevations. Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation and good pest control. Older varieties such as Oxheart are not very heat-resistant.

JULY

Beetroot - can be grown year-round at high elevations or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and proper pest control. Carrot - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, although it does best in cool months. Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Lettuce - grown year-round. Escellion - can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months. Pumpkin - grown year-round. Sorrel - planted to be reaped in December to January. String Beans - grown year-round although it grows best during cool season or where elevations are high . Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 55

‘Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all’ Whittier, John Greenleaf

WHAT & WHEN TO PLANT

AUGUST

Beetroot - can be grown at high elevations all year-round or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - can be grown year-round with irrigation and good pest management. Carrot - can be grown year-round , but does best in cool months. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, but does best in cool months. Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown all year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Lettuce - grown all year in high elevations. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months. Onions - August to December. Pumpkin - grown year-round. String Beans - grown year-round, although it grows best during cool season or where elevations are high . Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation.

SEPTEMBER

Beetroot - does best during the cool months (September to January) or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - does best during the cool months (September to January); good pest management essential. Carrot - does best during the cool months (September to January). Cantaloupe - September to April. Cauliflower - does best during the cool months. (September to January). Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate; can be grown at lower elevations during the cool months. (September to January). Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round.

Escellion- can be grown year-round. Lettuce - grown year-round, but especially in cool months (September to January). Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, grown in high areas during hot months. Onions - August to December. Pumpkin - grown all year-round. Radish - does best during the cool months at high elevations. Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months at high elevations. String Beans - may be planted year-round, but does best during the cool season (September to January). Tomato - may be planted year-round with irrigation where necessary, requires efficient pest management. Turnip - cool climate essential and thus turnips grow best at high elevations. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini - begin planting.

OCTOBER

Beetroot - does best during cool months of September to January or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - does best during the cool months. Cauliflower - does best during the cool months. Cantaloupe - September to April. Carrot - does best during the cool months. Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate; can be grown at low elevations during the cool months (September to January). Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Lettuce - grown year-round, especially in cool months (September to January). Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot months in high areas. Onion - August to December. Pumpkin - grown year-round.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 56

‘Life on a farm is a school of patience; you can't hurry the crops or make an ox in two days’ Alain, Henri

WHAT & WHEN TO PLANT

Radish - does best during the cool months at high elevations. Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months at high elevations. String Beans - grown year-round, but does best during cool season (September to January). Tomato - grown year-round with irrigation where necessary. Turnip - cool climate essential and thus turnips grow best at high elevations. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini - September to April.

NOVEMBER

Beet root- does best during the cool months (September to January); can be grown at high elevations year-round or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - does best during the cool months (September to January); can be grown year-round with irrigation and good pest control. Carrot - can be grown year-round, but does best in cool months with a good disease control programme. Cauliflower- does best in the cool months. Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate; can be grown at lower elevations during the cool months (September to January). Cucumber - grown all year round. Egg Plant - grown year-round, especially in the cool months. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round at low elevations, hot months in high areas. Onion - August to December. Pumpkin - grown year-round. Radish - does best during the cool months at high elevations. Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool season at high elevations. String Beans - grown year-round, but does best during cool season.

Tomato - grown year-round. Turnip - cool climate essential, turnip grows best at high elevations. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini- can be grown year-round.

DECEMBER

Beetroot - does best during the cool months (September to January) or on lowlands with irrigation. Cabbage - does best during the cool months (September to January). Carrot - can be grown year-round, but does best in cool months with a good disease control programme. Cauliflower - can be grown year-round, but does best in the cool months. Cantaloupe - September to April. Celery - does best at high elevations in a cool climate; can be grown at lower elevations during the cool months (September to January). Cucumber - grown year-round. Egg Plant - grown year-round. Escellion- can be grown year-round. Lettuce - grown year-round. Okra - grown year-round. Onion - August to December. Pumpkin - grown year-round. Radish - does best during the cool months at high elevations. Sweet Pepper - does best during the cool months at high elevations. String Beans - grown year-round, but does best during the cool season. Tomato - grown year-round. Turnip - cool climate essential, turnips grow best at high elevations. Watermelon - September to April. Zucchini- can be grown year-round.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 57

‘Whether the farmer ever digs for it or not, it is there, haunting his daydreams when the burden of debt is most unbearable’ Brodie, Fawn M.

FERTILIZER GUIDE

roper nutrition is essential for satisfactory crop growth and production. The use of soil tests can help to determine the status of plant available nutrients to develop fertilizer recommendations to achieve optimum crop production. Precise Nutrient Management (PNMS) is Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited’s unique fertilizer programme that we offer to our farmers. It involves the process of analyzing the soil, and based on the deficiencies we see in the soil, we will then make a fertilizer recommendation specific to the farmer’s needs which will contain all the nutrients the crop will need for growth and development. These are the steps involved in the development of each system: 1. Meet with customer to find out about current or intended cropping system and yield goal for crop. 2. Conduct soil analyses for macro and microelements as well as pH etc.; In hydroponic systems, the water is sampled and analyzed. Irrigation water is also analyzed when possible.

3. PNMS is developed to address all shortfalls in the soil and water as well as other issues that may impact the effectiveness of the system such as ph. PNMS may include custom blends. 4. PNMS is presented to the customer for discussion and implementation. 5. The customer then makes the product purchase 6. If a custom blend is required, once an order is received, the Plant produces this custom blend (minimum order of 5 bags is required for each blend) within 3 days once raw material is available. 7. System is implemented and monitored. The monitoring is also assisted by the results of tissue analysis at key stages of plant development. 8. The following benefits can be realized: a. Improved crop yields b. Probable reduction in fertilizer costs c. Increase nutrient use efficiency d. Reduction in pollution from field runoff Submitted by Charmaine Mendez Blackford Technical Manager, Newport-Fersan (Ja) Ltd

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 58

‘It is thus with farming, if you do one thing late, you will be late in all your work’ Cato The Elder

ORGANIC FERTILIZER GUIDE

rganic fertilizers are materials derived from animal matter, human excreta or vegetable matter. (e.g. compost, manure). Naturally occurring organic fertilizers include animal wastes from meat processing, peat, manure, slurry, and guano. Organic chemicals have Carbon integral to their structure. The nutrient value of different organic matter in selective Organic Fertilizers. Some of these values are tabulated below: Organic Matter

Alfa Alfa Hay Bone Meal Cottonseed Meal Compost Dried Blood Feather Meal Fish Meal Grass Clippings Horn Meal Leaves Legumes Cow Manure Horse Manure Sheep Manure Swine Manure Pine Needles Manure Poultry Manure Saw Dust Manure Sewage Manure Seaweed Manure Straw Manure Wood Ashes

2-3 1 6 1.5 12 12 10 1-2 12-14 1 2-4 0.25 0.3 0.6 0.3 0.5 2 0-1 2-6 1 0-0.5 0

0.5-1 11 3 0.5 1.5 0 4 0-0.5 1.5-2 0-0.5 0-0.5 0.15 0.15 0.33 0.3 0 2 0-0.5 1-4 2 0-0.5 1-2

1-2 0 1 1 0.5 0 0 1-2 0 0-0.5 2-3 0.25 0.5 0.75 0.3 1 1 0-1 0-1 5 1 3-7

Availability of Nutrients

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www.theagriculturalist.com • 923-7471 Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 59

‘Like a gardener I believe what goes down must come up’ Giacomini, Lynwood L.

Fertilizer Application Guide

Avocado - 181 kg/ha or 454, 907, 1361 gm/1,2, 3 yr-old trees of 18-18-18 + 16-5-19. Ackee - 457 gm/tree 18-18; increase dosage by 50 %after first year. Arrowroot - 1009 kg/ha 18-9-18; after crop is established. Beans, Bush - 280 kg/ha18-18-18 at planting + 134 kg/ha Sul. Am. sidedressed at 4 weeks. Beans, Pole - 280 kg/ha18-18-18 at planting + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am. sidedressed at 4 weeks. Beans, Lima - 280 kg/ha18-18-18 at planting + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am. sidedressed at 4 weeks. Beets - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am. at mid-growth. Broccoli - 616 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 560 kg/ha Sul. Am Breadfruit - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 2.269 kg/ tree at 10 yrs. Banana/Plantain - 1089 kg/ha 15-5-35 or 1361 kg/ha 12-4-28 + MgO Bell & Sweet Pepper - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental. Corn (field)-560 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am.or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am. Corn (Sweet) - 560 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am.or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am. Cucumbers - 448 kg/ha 20-10-10 Coco - 448 kg/ha + 112 kg/ha. Sul. Am; In 2 split applications. Cassava - 889 kg/ha8-21-32 + 448 kg/ha; sidedressed in 1 application. Coconut - 2.27 kg 12-4-28/ tree per year in 2 split Cocoa - 560 kg/ha 13-11-19 + 168 kg/ha mur potash + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am. Coffee – 14-28-14 or 11-22-22 as a starter -- 0.91 kg/ha; Urea or Sul for growing trees per tree per year. Citrus - 454 gm 16-9-18 per tree; in 3 split applications. Callaloo - 616 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am or Urea. Or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha. Cabbage - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 112 kg/ha Sul. Am Cantaloupe - 448 kg/ha 20-10-10 Carrots - 168 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am Cauliflower - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am Celery - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am Dasheen - 448 kg/ha + 112 kg/ha. 17-0-17 or 17-0-23; at 4 months. Egg Plant - 673 kg/ha 20-10-10 Ginger - 336 kg/ha 11-22-22; plus organic matter after crop is established. Guava - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 0.907 kg/ tree at 5 yrs. Garlic - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 224 kg/ha Sul. Am. Grapes - 624 gm of 18-9-18 per tree per year; after yr. 1 increase by 50% Grass -Bermuda Bahan - 1794 kg/ha 16-5-19 + 90 kg/ha mur potash + 785 kg/ha Sul. -Napier, Guinea - 1794 kg/ha 16-5-19 + 90 kg/ha mur potash + 785 kg/ha Sul. -King, Guatemala; Trailing Grasses; Star, Pangola, etc. - 617 kg/ha 16-5-19 + 560 kg/ha Sul. Am. Indian Kale - 616 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha. Irish Potatoes - 1289 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 224 kg/ha Sul. Am; in 1 application. Lettuce (head/leaf) - 616 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha. Mustard - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am. Continued on page 61 Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 60

‘The first farmer was the first man. All historic nobility rests on the possession and use of land’ Emerson, Ralph Waldo

Posing with Fersan fertilizer (l-r) Gusland McCook, acting director general, Coffee Industry Board; Dennis Valdez, managing director, Newport-Fersan (Jamaica) Limited and Wayne Reid, RADA.

Fertilizer Application Guide Continued from page 60

Mango - 202 kg per tree of 18-18-18. Naseberry - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 1.361 kg/tree at 10 yrs. Okra - 561 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am. Onions - 561 kg/ha 18-18-18. Pak Choi - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am. Pumpkin - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental. Pineapple - 613 kg/ha23-10-20 or 862 kg/ha 16-5-19 or 885 kg/ha 16-9-18. Ot. Apple - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 1.361 kg/ tree at 5 yrs. Papaya - 624 gm of 18-9-18 per tree per year; after 1 yr increase by 50%. Pimento - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 2.269 kg/ tree at 10 yrs. Peanuts - 336 kg/ha 11-22-22; plow before planting seeds. Passion Fruit - 457 gm/tree 18-18-18 or 13-11-19; increase to 457 kg/ tree at 1 yr. Peas - (all varieties) 336 kg/ha 18-18-18. Pepper - 673 kg/ha 16-9-18 plus Sulphate. Hot Peppers are being successfully grown with 16:9:18 plus Sulphate Rice - 392 kg/ha 16-9-18; broadcast 20 & 50 days after transplanting. Radish - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. Sorghum - 560 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. or 448 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 336 kg/ha Sul. Am. Sugarcane - 987 kg/ha 16-9-19 or 785 kg/ha Sul. Am; in 2 applications. Sweet Potatoes - 336 kg/ha 18-18-18 + 112 kg/ha Sul; Potash sidedressed. Spinach - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 224 kg/ha Sul. Am. Squash - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. Tobacco - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 & 112 kg/ha Sul. Am. Tomatoes - 448 kg/ha 8-21-32 + 561 kg/ha Sul. Am. Turnip - 785 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 672 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental. Watermelon - 617 kg/ha 11-22-22 + 168 kg/ha Sul. Am. as supplemental. Yams - 392 kg/ha 11-22-22; in 3 split applications. Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 61

‘When tillage begins, other arts follow. The farmers, therefore, are the founders of human civilization’ Daniel Webster

FARMER’S GUIDE - LIVESTOCK

BEEKEEPING

January: Register all apiaries with the Director of Plant Protection, Bodles Research Station, Old Harbour. Add extra combs and frames of comb foundation to hives as required. Increase size of hive entrances for better ventilation. February: Continue adding extra combs and frames of comb foundation or supers to hives as required. If queen excluders are used, install them where necessary. Prepare equipment for harvesting: honey extractor, uncapping knife, strainers and containers for storage. March: Extract honey, if ripe. Begin marking high-producing hives from which to rear queens for replacement and increase. April: Continue honey extraction, continue marking high-producing hives. Start rearing queens for May increase, using surplus bees from the end of the crop. Rear queens only from the most productive hives with calm temperament. Remove any frames of comb foundation which the bees have not drawn into combs. May: Extract honey if practicable, ensuring that enough is left on the hives for the dearth period. Remove queen excluders and apply other measures to reduce congestion, increase ventilation and prevent swarming. If increases are made, ensure adequacy of honey and pollen reserves. June: Check brood nests for diseases; inform the Director of Plant Protection, Bodles Research Station, Old Harbour, promptly about any unusual conditions which suggest that the bees are sick. Determine which hives are the best for selection of breeding stock based on high honey

production, calmness of bees when being worked, and the absence of diseases. Mark hives to be re-queened. July: Continue checking for brood diseases and report anything unusual; ensure that the honey stored in the hives is accessible to the bees. Feed weak hives; unite any which may be too weak to survive by themselves, despite feeding. Remove and store surplus combs from unoccupied supers. Render old, dark, broken and otherwise undesirable combs into wax blocks. August: Continue July activities. September: Continue July and August activities. Repair and repaint old equipment as required. Purchase/order new equipment as required. October: Continue checking for brood diseases and report anything unusual. Feed bees where necessary, especially in rainy areas if honey stores have run out. If conditions allow, start rearing replacement queens for the next season from the best hives which were identified in June. Store mated queens in nucleus boxes which are well-supplied with honey, or together in hives, caged or separated by queen excluders. November: Replace queens in hives which were marked in June. Make increases by adding combs and/or foundations to nucleus boxes with young queens. Check the laying performance of queens and replace undesirables with young queens from storage. December: Continue replacing inferior queens. Increase hive capacity by adding extra combs and foundations, or supers, as required. Ensure that the stock of equipment is adequate for the coming season.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 62

‘Give fools their gold, and knaves their power; let fortune's bubbles rise and fall; who sows a field, or trains a flower, or plants a tree, is more than all’ Whittier, John Greenleaf

CATTLE & PASTURE

January: Identify each animal in the herd (tattoo, earmarks or brand); maintain proper system of recording. Consult veterinarian as to proper breeding and record system, and the implementation of a proper deworming and external parasite control programme preferably on a planned basis. February: Observe cows and heifers in early morning and late afternoon to detect ‘heat’ and have them bred; ensure adequate supply of clean drinking water and balanced diet, where irrigation is available. March: Pregnancy test cows and heifers (consult veterinarian); continue feeding hay and/or silage when pastures are low; have calves vaccinated against black-leg before the rains begin, (especially in the St. Elizabeth area); start preparing animals for Denbigh Show; protect cows in milk production and subsequently revenue. April: Renovate old pastures and plant new ones where practicable; clean drains before May rains. Conserve feed (fodder) where possible e.g., silage; control parasites maintain spraying and de-worming cycle. May: Continue to conserve feed for use in dry months, make silage where practicable; stump and renovate pastures; improve roadways and lanes to milking sheds; Fertilize pastures after the May rains. June: Continue fodder conservation for dry months - make hay if weather conditions permit; also complete fertilization after the May rains; run a complete integrity test on dairy equipment; check cows and heifers for fertility - consult your veterinarian. Project cows’ milk production and subsequently revenue. California Mastitis Test (CMT) for all milking animals can be done once yearly, but for large farms where there are few budgetary constraints, it can be done twice annually.

July: Supplement pasture with hay and/or silage to maintain animals in good condition and steady production; control parasites; maintain spraying and deworming cycles; maintain a high level of sanitation; remove manure from around milking areas to control flies; intensify preparation of animals for the agricultural show. August: Exhibit animals at the agricultural show - take adequate feed to maintain them over three (3) days; improve roadways and lanes to milking parlours; continue feeding hay and silage; provide mineral licks for animals; vaccinate calves against blackleg before September r a i n s ; clean all drains. September: Renovate and fertilize pastures; continue routine control of parasites; maintain adequate supply of clean drinking water. Project cows’ milk production and subsequently revenue. October: Continue renovation of pastures. Observe cows and heifers daily for signs of ‘heat’ and call your Inseminator early; maintain records (service, productions, financial). November: Fertilize and prepare pasture for dry season; maintain spraying cycle; check animals for foot rot and test for fertility, cull as records show; consult veterinarian. December: Update all records (farm and financial) budget capital and recurrent; evaluate and cull herd (make use of records); inspect cows for mastitis and treat if necessary - use CMT; evaluate dairymen's performance- change personnel according to appraisal; run a complete integrity test on dairy equipment.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 63

‘A good farmer is nothing more nor less than a handy man with a sense of humus’ White, Elwyn Brooks

POULTRY

January: Consult your vet on a vacc-ination programme for the chickens; purchase day-old chickens from hatcheries which vaccinate the chickens against Newcastle disease, infectious bronchitis and Marek’s disease; debeak layer chickens. February: To prevent the spread of disease and injury to birds, employ a rigid sanitation programme and common sense in handling the birds. Ensure adequate feeding, watering and good sanitation. March: Vaccinate against fowl pox at 2-3 weeks with pigeon pox vaccine, and at 10-12 weeks with fowl pox vaccine. April: Inspect all records and cull poor performers; maintain proper sanitation; avoid chilling or over-heating in transporting chickens from hatchery to farm. May: Buy day-old layer chicks to meet Christmas egg market; review vaccination programme; ensure adequate feed and water, investigate any high mortality and contact your veterinarian. June: Ensure adequate lighting and good sanitation; day-old chicks must be vaccinated against Marek’s disease before purchase; ensure proper record-keeping of the chickens’ activities. July: Avoid the following conditions that might cause stress in the flock; excessive moving or

handling of the flock; abrupt change of feed or water; over-crowding; and thin litter. Monitor chicken house temperature. August: Debeak pullets to avoid pecking; avoid over-crowding; ensure even distribution of feed and water. Monitor chicken house temperature. September: Ensure that broiler houses are in good condition to accommodate day-old chicks in October; consult the Marketing Division of the Ministry of Agriculture on the market situation for broiler meat for the end of the year; cull weak, diseased, poor performers in the layer flock. October: Buy day-old broiler chickens to meet Christmas market; chickens should be free of twisted beaks or malformed legs; ensure chicks are vaccinated against common diseases; consult your vet. November: Ensure proper sanitation; pay strict attention to disease control; ensure ‘foot baths’ are working; burn or bury all dead birds. December: Start to set eggs for hatching early in the new year; maintain proper sanitation; ensure that laying boxes or cages are in good condition.

Tip - Chicken House

Chicken houses must provide shelter and protection for the birds that will live in them, an example is rat proofing. Chicken house must also be hygienic—featuring changeable flooring (like sawdust, woodchips or sand), ventilation and room for humans to clean. Chicken house must also provide warmth through insulation, heat lamps, or extra bedding and nesting material for layers. Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 64

‘A friendly study of the world's religions is a sacred duty’ John Fischer

Brooding Management The First Two Weeks Of Life

s baby chicks are unable to control their internal temperature for the first 10 days of life, you have to keep them warm just like a mother hen would by brooding. Brooding is an essential practice in raising broilers and is the basis for achieving good results. Often in small scale farming, heat lamps are used along with curtains or cardboard to prevent cold drafts of air from blowing through the chicken house. The chicks’ position relative to the heat source is an important indicator of comfort. Chicks are best observed at night as a guide to establishing whether they are comfortable or not. Comfort can be verified as follows: Too coldTemperature too low: Chicks will huddle under the brooder

Too hotTemperature too high: Chicks move away from heat source and group near the sides of the house DraftyCold Air Currents: Chicks will huddle in one area to avoid draft

Correct tempOptimal situation: Chicks sound contented and are evenly distributed around the brooder

The way you should position the brooder depends on its heat output and the insulation of the house. Where heat bulbs are used for brooding, at least 400 watts is effective in satisfying the heat requirement of 1,000 birds. A brooding ring- a small area, within the house, that can comfortably accommodate the baby chicks should be enclosed to concentrate heat in the brooding area. Brooding rings can be constructed of wire and covered with paper. Whatever the brooding system, the desirable temperature should be maintained at 35ºC (95ºF) throughout the first week regardless of outdoor temperature. The brooding temperature should be reduced by 5ºF each week until the ambient house temperature of 82°-85° is reached. Brooder height should be adjusted according to the bird’s need with the aim of maintaining an ideal environment. The ideal environment means: Free of draft Adequate spacing Correct temperature Enough feeders and waterers Courtesy of Jamaica Broilers Group Limited

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 65

‘A good man is not a perfect man; a good man is an honest man, faithful, and unhesitatingly responsive to the voice of God in his life’ Joseph Fort Newton

PIGS

January: Ensure proper housing and breeding facilities are in place; secure breeding stock and reliable marketing outlet for pigs. February: Obtain animals, set up feeding/breeding schedule; consult your vet on health programme; put in place proper record-keeping. March: Breed females to have weaners in September and pork for the tourist season. April: Continue breeding and ensure proper care of sow already bred; maintain proper sanitation. May: Observe breeding stock, consult vet; check carcass grades; breed to produce market pigs in February- March 2017 and for tourist trade. June: Clean and sanitize the farrowing area; prepare to move sow to farrowing area; be present at farrowing time; prepare animals for agricultural show. July: After farrowing identify piglets, clip needle teeth, administer iron at day one and ten; consult the vet; weigh ani-

mals; continue preparation of animals for agricultural show. August: Continue farrowing; present animals at the agricultural show; reduce breeding to match slow market period (April-July 2017); ensure proper sanitation. September: Maintain buildings and other equipment (e.g., floors, scales, etc.) in good condition; deworm all pigs; consult your vet. October: Select females and boars for breeding; retain animals with large litters (8 piglets upwards), fast-growing pigs and good carcasses; breed to produce market pigs in (July-August 2018). Check for coccidiosis; keep litter dry. November: Cull poor performance sows (small litter size, lack of milk, poor mothering ability). December: Select gifts and sows to be bred, breed to produce market pigs in September-October 2018.

USEFUL TIPS

Space Considerations – Before you raising piglets you need to have a pen and some sort of shelter. If the pen is small, the piglets will grow faster because they will not have as much room to exercise. Also, in a smaller area, parasites have more of a chance to grow.

Breeds matter – Different breeds of pigs have different qualities, including differences in size, meat quality and temperament. These are things you will want to investigate when choosing your piglets. Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 66

‘Belief is truth held in the mind; faith is a fire in the heart’ Becky Laird

SHEEP AND GOATS

January: Check for mange and lice, treat if necessary; deworm; start weaning kids born early November and harvest milk for home consumption. Milk should be pasteurized and herd should be certified free of T.B. and brucellosis. February: Deworm animals; control external parasites; observe does for heat and mate those that are at breeding weight; continue weaning and utilize milk for home consumption. March: Co-operate with Data Bank officers in livestock census. Treat navels with tincture of iodine; deworm animals - consult your veterinarian; select replacement females and start fattening animals for the holiday season. Consult Veterinarian re: vaccination programmes e.g. Tetanus and blackleg. April: Co-operate with Data Bank officers in livestock census; deworm all animals before rainy season; breed ewes to lamb and/or kid in September. May: Increase quality and quantity of feed to does in preparation for the breeding season; breed ewes to lamb and/or kid in October. June: Shear all sheep; examine and trim hooves (sheep and goats) if necessary; deworm; expect goats to start coming on heat; select does and mate to good quality bucks. July: Continue close observation of herd for signs of animals on heat; continue breeding. August: Deworm to meet rainy season; arrange “foot bath” to prevent foot rot. September: Treat navel of kids with tincture of iodine; arrange dry place for lamb/or kids; identify pregnant does and start providing them with additional feed in preparation for kidding.

October: Breed ewes to lamb and/or kid in March, treat navel with tincture of iodine; deworm if necessary; observe for signs of foot rot and treat early; continue feeding pregnant does. November: Breed ewes to lamb and/or kid in April; continue observations for foot rot; dip navels in iodine; help weak kids to nurse where possible. Observe animals for signs of difficulty during kidding. December: Control external parasites; properly disinfect houses and pens; consult the vet; maintain proper sanitation for young kids and ensure high quality feed for lactating does.

Don’t Encourage an Orgy

Males and females are generally kept separate except for the purposes of breeding. You don’t want brothers and sisters, sons and mothers, or fathers and daughters copulating—they will do so happily if given the chance—but you do want to breed strategically, mating only your healthiest, most productive (and unrelated) animals. Ideally, the males are kept in a separate part of the farm where the females can neither see nor smell them.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 67

‘Recognizing that all we do is by His power, we honor God; He in turn blesses us’ Frederick Buechner

RABBITS

January: Cages for rabbits should be well secured with mesh wire (1/2"x 5/8"); maintain good sanitation. February: Control flies, ensure clean water and feed at regular intervals, and consult vet. March: Offer pelleted feed plus fresh grass or Spanish Needle at regular intervals; maintain proper sanitation, inspect regularly and isolate sick animals. April: Breed does (all through the year); equip cage with litter box containing dry grass or hay - expect litter 31 days after breeding; maintain proper sanitation. May: Check litter boxes 12 hours after doe litters - remove dead and deformed rabbits; observe proper sanitation; and provide adequate feed and water at all times. June: Wean young rabbits by eight (8) weeks; separate young bucks from young does.

SEA FISHERIES

January: Usually strong winds. Prepare gear for trolling when weather subsides. Be on the look out for Goggle Eye Jack run: owners of carrier vessels do not take fisher men to Morant and Pedro Cays. February: Good trolling expected on the south coast shelf, nearby banks and deep edges (Wahoo, Dolphins, Albacore, Yellow Fin Tuna, Rainbow Runner and Bonito). March: Good catch of demersal species. Use pots, lines and nets. Usually good weather. April: Start fishing on main shelf banks for King Fish and Mackerel. Wahoo now in deep water, weigh down lines and bait. Fish for Shrimp, Grunt and Parrot etc. Closed season for Lobster begins. (Restaurants and Hotels having lobsters stored should make declaration to Director of Fisheries for assurance of certificate.

July: Market fatteners and low producers; ensure that animals are well-protected from dogs, etc. August: Prepare new cages for expansion; select the fastest-growing bucks and does for breeding; cull and slaughter for meat; ensure proper sanitation. September: Mate sel-ected rabbits (avoid mating bucks with related does); note those with small litter for culling; maintain proper sanitation. October: Begin fattening animals for holiday season; maintain proper sanitation, examine cages and repair if necessary, also ensure protection from dogs. November: Select your best stock or introduce new animals and continue breeding; continue fattening for holiday season. December: Sell finished animals, as well as low-producing bucks and does; examine and strengthen cages; ensure rabbits are protected from dogs, etc.

May: Closed season for Lobster continues. Continue fishing for Mackerel, King Fish and Shrimp. July: Open season for Lobster (do not land egg-bearing and undersized Lobsters). Good catch expected: rough weather. August: Fish for Groupers and Marlin, particularly on the North Coast. Good weather. September: Continue fishing for Groupers. October: Continue fishing for Groupers. November: Rough weather; prepare gear for trolling when weather subsides to fish for Dolphin, Rainbow Runner, Tuna, etc. Make arrangements to apply for December license to fish at Morant and Pedro Cays. December: Continue to prepare gear for trolling when weather subsides. Make application to the Fisheries Division to fish Morant and Pedro Cays.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 68

Fertilizer Application We recommend the application of 15.5.35 can be applied every 6 to 12 weeks for ratoon fields with intermittent application of urea or sulphate of ammonia. Bury granular or dry fertilizers or dissolve in water and apply by fertigation or inject into the soil with injector pump (knapsack type). Broadcasting on the soil surface is least recommended.

Nematicide Application Apply Mocap (active ingredient ethoprop) at rate of 20 grams per mat with applicator per mat (20 grams fill or approximate to a match box), once per year. Alternate with application of 7.5 millitres per mat of Vydate (active ingredient oxamyl) using prescribed applicator. Always wear full protective gears.

Insecticide Application 2-3 times per year Apply Actara (active ingredient thiamethoxam) at a rate of 50mls per plant mat (approximates 1/3 of a sausage tin) to base of sucker. Always wear full protective gears. Sigatoka control Ideally, application should be based on recommendations from a disease forecast system. When there is no disease forecast system and the disease has no fungicide resistance, apply recommended fungicides at varying frequency based on the disease level. Practice rotation of fungicides according to group and always apply at full recommended rate. Follow proper mixing procedures always and wear full use of protective gears.

For further information, please contact:

Banana Board

10 South Ave, Kingston Gardens, Kingston 4 Tel: 922-5490; 922-4327 • bananaboard@cwjamaica.com www.thebananaboard.org Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 69

Catastrophe fund registration A part of disaster mitigation strategy, banana farmers should register before January 31st each year (extended to March 31 in 2017). Farms must have at least 1 acre with min of 500 mats (roots). Registration fee is $5,000 per hectare ($2000/acre) for first timers but only $3,750 per hectare ($1500/ acre) for farmers who are re-registering. Benefits paid within 28 days when damages exceed 50%.

Drought Management During dry periods farmers should carry out recommended drought management strategies to preserve as much moisture in the plants. Avoid excessive de-leafing and debarking of plants. Practice mulching and maintain good plant density. Reduce or stop use of herbicides. Use emulsion mixtures for Sigatoka leaf spot disease control. Avoid fertilizer application to dry ground. Distribute fertilization

evenly during wet periods not in heavy rains or floods. Cut the trunk or psuedostem as high as possible above the ground after harvesting the bunch. Irrigate as required or based on tensiometer readings. Clean or maintain drainage trenches Once per year ensure all drains are maintained or re-sunk to minimum depth of 30 cm (18 inches). Drains must have a V- shaped profile or slanting sides. Ensure that there are proper main or head drains and clear blockages especially in preparation for the hurricane season. Greater number of secondary drains is needed in heavier soils.

The best to plant period As part of disaster mitigation strategy it is best to plant in May/June to minimize risk of hurricane damage. However, this can also be done at the onset of the spring rains as well as the fall period.

For further information, please contact:

Banana Board

10 South Ave, Kingston Gardens, Kingston 4 Tel: 922-5490; 922-4327 • bananaboard@cwjamaica.com www.thebananaboard.org Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 70

‘For what is faith unless it is to believe what you do not see?’ Richard J. Foster

Increase Your Yields with Drip Irrigation

Courtesy of Jamaica Drip Irrigation hink of an automated system delivering the right amount of water (and nutrients) to your plants for the ideal amount of time — that is drip irrigation. Studies show that well-designed drip irrigation systems use at least 30 percent, and in some cases up to 50 percent, less water than other methods of watering such as sprinkling. Almost no water is lost through surface runoff or evaporation and soil particles can absorb and hold water for your plants. It also means very few nutrients leach down beyond the reach of plant roots. Furthermore, since drip irrigation delivers water directly to the plants you want to grow, less is wasted on weeds. The soil surface between the plants actually remains drier, which discourages weed seeds from sprouting. For busy farmers, the main benefit of drip irrigation is the saving of both time and money. Drip irrigation systems eliminate the need to drag around hoses and sprinklers. For systems that use a timer, farmers need only spend a few seconds to turn the system on and the timer will automatically turn off thus saving on costs for water in the long run. Additionally, installing a drip irrigation system allows you to: • Improve crop yields • Control fungal diseases

• Better apply fertilizers through the use of fertilizer dispensers • Eliminate soil erosion • Use a system designed to work with all types of terrain and soil conditions Drip irrigation is great for row crops such as carrots and peas, and also for watering trees and shrubs or a series of containers, you’ll probably want to set up a more sophisticated system. Although each system is designed according to specifications such as type of crops, land and water source. The general components are a main control head, filtration, fertigation, main lines, sub mains and lateral drip lines. The best part is that drip irrigation systems can be scaled to fit your needs whether you have a home garden, lawn or a large farm. Jamaica Drip Irrigation has been the leading provider of drip irrigation systems across Jamaica for over 30 years. Talk to us about how you could become our next satisfied customer!

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 71

Serving the banana farmers

AIBGA Ripening Rooms

The AIBGA’s ripening rooms are located at Pembroke Hall, St. Mary; Kensington, St. James and Fellowship, Portland. We ripen bananas and other fruits.

AIBGA Farm Stores

A leading provider of farm inputs, marked by superior price and quality. Fellowship, Portland 913-5630 Reach, Portland Kensington, St James 5511784 Gayle, St Mary 551-1790 Trinity, St Mary 551-1787; 994-9864

All Island Banana Growers Association 10 South Avenue, Kingston Gardens Tel: 922-5497 967-3160 • Fax: 967-3160 support@aibga.info • aibga@cwjamaica.com www.aibga.info

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 72

‘For God Himself works in our souls, in the deepest depths, taking increasing control as we are progressively willing to be prepared for His wonder’ - Augustine

RECIPES

Callaloo and Saltfish

Ingredients: 1 lb. callaloo 1/2 lb. Saltfish (codfish) 1 sprig thyme 1 crushed garlic or 2 teaspoons garlic powder 1 tablespoon margarine or vegetable oil 1 scotch bonnet pepper 1 medium chopped onion black pepper salt to taste 1/4 cup water

METHOD: Wash callaloo leaves Cut callaloo leaves in pieces. Sauté saltfish, onion, garlic, pepper, thyme in margarine or oil Add cut up callaloo leaves, water and stir. Cover saucepan and cook callaloo until tender. Add whole scotch bonnet pepper Sprinkle with pepper and salt. Simmer then serve with avocado pear, boiled banana and/or fried dumplings.

Red peas soup

Ingredients: 3 cups of kidney beans, soaked overnight in water or 2 tins of canned beans 1 1/2 liters of water 2 regular onions 2 escellion (spring onions may be used as a substitute) 2 carrots 2 teaspoons of dried thyme 1 hot pepper (ideally scotch bonnet) 1 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon black pepper (ground)

1/2 lb potatoes 1/2 lb yam 1/2 cup coconut milk

Christmas Cake

2oz Currants 12ozs Golden raisins 8oz Raisins 8oz Brown sugar 8oz Butter or Margarine 10oz Flour 4oz Mixed peel Glace cherries 1/2 Lemon - grated rind Orange - grated rind 2 oz Chopped almonds 1-1/2 tsp Mixed spice 1 tbs Black treacle (Molasses) Pinch salt 5 Eggs Milk if required

Cream together the butter and sugar, salt, mixed spice, treacle, add eggs one at a time. Stir in the fruit and flour in alternate batches until thoroughly mixed.

Use a metal pan about 10" wide x 5" or six inch high, one with a loose bottom is best. Line sides and bottom of pan with wax paper allowing the paper to extend up over the sides by an inch. Put in round pan and bake at 325f for 1 hour and turn down to 300f and continue cooking for at least 2 hours and then check for doneness by inserting thin instrument until it comes out clean.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 73

‘Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict’ Oliver Wendell Holmes

CROP PRODUCTION PLANNING CHART

CROP (SEEDLINGS)

Ackee Annatto Avocado Banana Plantains Cashew

Coconuts: Dwarfs May Pan Cocoa

Coffee Cassava

Grapefruit or Ugli Valencia and Parson Brown Lime Ortanique Guava Kola Nut Nutmeg Pawpaw Pimento Soursop Mango

SPACING FT

30 x 30 12 x 12 21 x 21 7x9 7x7 30 x 30

PLANTS PER AC. 48 303 99 692 889 48

TIME TO FIRST

FULL BEARING

7 yrs 7 yrs

2-3 yrs 2 yrs 4 yrs 9 mths 1 yr 5 yrs

2,500 dozen 550 lbs 200 dozen 8-10 tons 6 tons 10 bushels of nut (20 kerosene tins)

20 x 20 24 x 24

109 76

4 yrs 4 1/2 yrs 2 1/2 yrs

51/2 yrs

10 x 5

871

3 yrs

5 yrs

3-4 Row (in) 3 Row (apart)

20,000

9 mths

1 yr

22 x 11 15 x 15 18 x 18 15 x 15 30 x 30 30 x 30

182 194 135 194 48 48

3 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs 7 yrs 8 yrs

7 yrs 7 yrs 7 yrs 6 yrs 10 yrs 15 yrs 1 yr 25 yrs 5 yrs 5 yrs

675 boxes 1,500 boxes 500 boxes 2,000 lbs 400-800 nuts 96,000 nuts+192 lbs mace 12,000 lbs per yrs 4,000 dried 1,750 lb -----

7 yrs

28-35 tons

10 x 10

24 x 20

436

3 yrs

Other Crops Sugar Cane

10 x 5 25 x 25 18 x 18 15 x 15

1,210 70 134 194

10 mths 4 yrs 3 yrs 3 yrs

Btw Rows- 5-6

3-4 tons

16 mths

Yellow Yam Negro Lucea

6x6 6x6 6x6

Yams

7 yrs 4 yrs 7 yrs 1 yr 1 yr 10 yrs

YIELD PER ACRE

Holes -1.5 x 1.5 x 1.5

3-4,000 “ “ “

7-9 mths “ “ “

7 yrs

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 74

1.4 tons copra 1.5 tons copra

10,000 pods (40 boxes or 2,280 lbs wet or dry 1000 lbs 50-80 boxes (Blue Mountain) 150- 200 boxes (Lowland)

3-5 Metric tons 800 boxes

6 to 8 tons

‘Every calling is great when greatly pursued’ Mother Teresa

VEGETABLE PRODUCTION PLANNING CHART

CROP

Beans Beet Callaloo Cabbage Carrot Corn, Sweet Cucumber Egg Plant Hot Pepper Lettuce Pak Choy Peanut Okra Onion Sweet Pepper Radish Tomato Turnip Watermelon NOTES:

PLANT SPACING IN ROW & Betw. ROWS

2"-4" 2"-3" 8"-10" 12"-18" 2"-4" 10"-12" 12" 18"-24" 24"-36" 10"-12" 10"-12" 4" 18"-24" 2"-3" 15"-20" 2"-3” 24"-48" 2"-5" 36"-48"

16"-24" 12"-24" 18"-24" 16"-30" 6"-24" 30"-36" 36"-48" 24"-36" 48"-60" 12"-24" 12"-24" 12"-18" 28"-36' 6"-24" 24"-30" 12"-18" 36-60" 12"-24" 60"

SEED DEPTH

SEED SPACING

DAYS TO HARVEST

3/4"-2" 1/4"-1/2" 1/4" " 1/4" 1"-2" 11/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/4"-1/2" 3/4"-1.5" 1/2"-1" 1/2" 1/2” 1/2" 1/2" 1/2" 1/2"-1"

2"-2 1/2" 1/2"-1" --1/4" 5"-6" 3/hole ---1/2"-1" 1 4"-6" 1/4" -1/2"-3/4" -1/2"-1" 6/hill

60-70 55-70 140-154 90-120 70-100 100-130 50-65 60-80 90-120 70-84 75-85 110-120 50-70 70-100 120-180 12-30 55-90 45-65 100-120

NORMAL YIELDS 6,000 lbs 6,000 lbs 20 tons 12,000 lbs 10,000 lbs 12,000 lbs 12,000 lbs 8,000 lbs 25,000 lbs 8,000 lbs 10,000 lbs 1,500 lbs 4,000 lbs 8,000 lbs 13,500 lbs 4,000 lbs 12,000 lbs 8,000 lbs 6,000 lbs

• Planting spaces in-the-row are final spacings after thinning. Between-row-spacings vary greatly depending on seedbed style, variety size and need for foot or equipment passage. • Cabbage, callaloo, eggplant, lettuce, peppers, tomato commonly transplanted. • Soak okra seeds overnight to improve germination speed and rate. • The days to harvest vary with variety, weather conditions and methods of propagation. • Bulb onions are usually grown from transplants or seedlings rather than direct seeding (except under very good management). • Staked tomato plants can be spaced much closer together than unstaked ones. • The yields of vegetables can vary greatly with cultural practices, growing season and management. A good yield in one area might be considered average or mediocre in another area. • Some direct planted vegetables like cabbage, okra and lettuce can be cluster planted in holes using the after thinning spacing.

The data above serves only as a guideline and it may be influenced by a number of factors. These include method of cultivation; slope of land; climatic conditions; soil type; variety; methods of propagation. For further information on any crops, consult the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) or the respective commodity boards. CONVERSION: 1 gram = 0.03527 ozs 1 kgram = 35.274 ozs 1 kgram = 2.205 lbs 1 metric ton (1,000 kg) = 1.102 short V.S tons 1 metric ton (1,000 kg) = 0.984 long V.S tons 1 metric ton (1,000 kg) = 2204.6 lbs

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 75

Homemade Organic Pesticides

‘God doesn't look at how much we do, but with how much love we do it’ - Denis Waitley

earn about using homemade organic pesticides that farmers have known about for centuries. These are items that many people have right in their home or that can be purchased inexpensively.

Tobacco or Nicotine Spray: This mixture is great for combating many different types of bugs, but especially caterpillars, aphids and many types of those nasty worms. What you need:1 cup of tobacco. 1 gallon of water. Put the tobacco into the container of water. Allow the mixture to set for approximately 24 hours. After it has stood for a day, check the colour. It should be the shade of weak tea. If it is too dark, just dilute it with water until it looks right. *Warning: Don't use this solution on peppers, tomatoes, eggplants or any other member of the solanaceous family. Tobacco chemicals can kill these types of plants!

Soap Spray: Another way to stop the slugs is with soapy water. That's right, you can just use your old, dirty dishwater! Collect some of the water in a pan and pour it into a watering can or even use a pitcher to pour it over the plants. This works really well on hostas and mums, but also can be used on other hardy plants. Many bugs do not like their lunch spoiled by a soapy aftertaste! For a stronger solution, mix 3 tablespoons of liquid detergent into a gallon of water, I prefer Dawn, but any will do. Use this weekly. Alcohol Spray: This spray really is great for houseplants. This especially works on meal bugs. 1/2 cup of alcohol; 2-3 tablespoons of dry laundry soap; 1 quart of warm water

Mix all ingredients and spray immediately. You don't have to let this set, but you can’t store it either. This solution must be made fresh for each use. Salt Spray: This solution is used for cabbageworms and spider mites. 2 tablespoons of salt; 1 gallon of water; Just mix and spray!

Garlic Spray: Here is the recipe for a garlic spray that fights slugs too. Slugs must not like eating Italian. To make this smelly spray, use the following list of ingredients: 1 garlic bulb; 1 quart of water; 1 medium onion; 1 tablespoon of cayenne pepper; 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap Crush the garlic, mincing it fine. Add finely chopped onion to the mixture, while adding the rest of the ingredients except the soap. Wait an hour before adding the soap to the mixture. The spicy ingredients must sort of stew or steep, almost like tea. After an hour, add the soap and your non-toxic spray is ready to use! This can be stored in the fridge for a week.

Buttermilk and Flour Spray: Garlic spray is great for getting rid of cutworms, wireworms, whiteflies and slugs too. What you need: 1 pint of water; 1/4 cup of dish liquid; 2 teaspoons of paraffin; 6 tablespoons of chopped garlic. Soak the whole garlic in the liquid paraffin for at least 24 hours. After a day, add the dish liquid and water to the mixture. Remember to shake it very well. Strain the solution and store it in a glass jar. This lasts around a week.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 76

‘He who is filled with love is filled with God himself’ Mother Teresa

MEASUREMENTS

On Farm/Cooking Measurements

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 77

Body measurement

Weed Control Guide

Chemicals 2,4-D Amine 480 G/L 2,4-D Amine 480 SC Actril –DS 70 EC Ally XP (60 DF) Ametrex 50.0 SC Amigan 50.0 SC Amigan 65 WP

Amine 6D Asulam 40 Asulox 40 EC Atramet Combi 50 SC Command 48 EC Diurex 80 SC Diurex 80.0 WP Diuron 80 WP Diuron 800 FLO Dual Gold 960 EC

Fusilade 2000 EC Gai-Quat 200

Gramocil Glyphos-AG 41 concentrate Glyphosate 41% SL Gramoxone Super

Gesapax 80 WDG

Igran 500 SC Karmex DF Krismat 75 WG

(Herbicides for Crops and Ornamentals) Mode of action/Major Crops

Systemic: Kills broadleaf weeds in sugar cane, rice, corn and pasture Systemic: Broadleaf control in corn, lawns, pastures, sorghum, sugar cane Systemic: Brush control in sugar cane Systemic: Broadleaf control in corn, pastures, sorghum, sugar cane Contact & residual: General weed control in banana, citrus, cocoa, coconut, pineapple Contact & residual: General weed control in citrus, corn, sugar cane Contact & residual: General weed control in avocado, banana, citrus, cocoa, coconut, pineapple, sugar cane Systemic: Broadleaf control in corn, lawns, non-crop site, pastures, sugar cane Systemic: General weed control in banana, citrus, sugar cane Systemic: General weed control in banana, citrus, sugar cane Residual: General weed control in pineapple, sugar cane at early post emergence Residual: Grass control in sugar cane Contact & residual: General weed control in banana, citrus, cotton, pineapple, sugar cane Contact & residual: General weed control in banana, citrus, cotton, pineapple, sugar cane Contact & residual: General weed control in banana, citrus, cotton, pineapple, sugar cane Contact & residual: General weed control in banana, citrus, cotton, pineapple, sugar cane Residual: Grass control in beans, cauliflower, cotton, cucumber, pea, peanut, potato (irish) sugar cane, tomato Contact: Grass control in cabbage, carrot, cauliflower, cucumber, pea, pepper, tomato Contact: General weed control in avocado, banana, citrus, coffee, cocoa, mango, papaya, sugar cane, vegetables Contact: General weed control in banana, citrus, coffee, sugar cane, vegetables Systemic: General weed control in banana, citrus, coconut, coffee, mango, sugar cane Systemic: General weed control in fruits, and vegetables; non-crop sites Contact: General weed control in avocado, banana, citrus, coffee, mango, papaya, sugar cane, vegetables Contact & residual: General weed control in banana, citrus, pineapple, sugar cane Contact & residual: General weed control in beans, peanut, sugar cane Contact: General weed control in banana, citrus, corn, cotton, grape, non-crop sites, papaya, sorghum, sugar cane Contact: General control of seedling grass and broadleaf weeds in sugar cane

Per Hectare (kg, L)

Per Acre (pt, lb)

2.0 - 3.0 L

2-3 pt

2.0 - 3.0 L 0.75 - 1.5 L

2-3 pt 0.75 - 1.5 pt

15.0 - 18.0 g

0.2 - 0.24 oz

4.0 - 6.0 L

4.0 - 6.0 pt

3.0 - 4.0 L

3.0 - 4.0 pt

3.5 - 5.0 kg

3.0 - 4.4 lb

0.75 - 1.5 L

0.75 - 1.5 pt

5.0 - 8.0 L

5.0 - 8.0 pt

5.0 - 8.0 L

5.0 - 8.0 pt

2.5 - 4.0 L

2.5 - 4.0 pt

2.0 - 2.5 L 3.0 - 4.0 L

3.0 -4.0 pt

4.0 kg

4.0 lb

4.0 kg

4.0 lb

3.0 - 4.0 L

3.0 - 4.0 pt

1.75 - 2.0 L

1.75 - 2.0 pt

4.0 L

4 pts.

3.0 L

3.0 pt

2.5 L

2.5 pt

4.0 L

4.0 pt

4.0 L

4.0 pt

3.0 L

3.0 pt

3.0 kg

3.0 pt

2.5 - 5.0 L

3-5 pt

3.5 kg

3.0 lb

2 kg

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 78

Weed Control Guide

(Herbicides for Crops and Ornamentals) Merlin 75 WDG

Nabu-s Paraquat Super 27.6 %

Pilardir Pilarmetryn Pilarbuzin

Pilargola Roundup EZ

Roundup Orginal EC

Roundup PRO

Roundup Ultra

Sencor 75 Turf Terbutrex 50 Sc

Touchdown 48 SL Velpar L

Weedmaster Dicamba + 2,4-D

Residual: Pre emergent grass control in sugar cane Contact: Control of seedling grasses in broadleaf crops and sugar cane Contact: Generel weed control in banana, citrus, coconut, coffee, non-crop sites, papaya, spot treatment, sugar cane Pineapple, Coffee, Sugarcane and Orchard Crops Pineapple; Sugarcane &Banana Crops Vegetables (Tomato; Irish potato, Carrot & Sweet Potato***) Field crop –Sugarcane & Turf Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Citrus, Coffee, Cotton,Onion, Escallion,Orchards, Papaya Systemic: General weed control in banana, beans, citrus, cocoa, coffee, corn, vegetables Systemic: General weed control in banana, beans, citrus, cocoa, coffee, guava, lychee, mango, non-crop sites, okra, onion, (dry bulb), papaya, pea, peanut, pineapple, potato, sugar cane, watermelon Systemic: General vegetation control in noncrop sites Systemic: General weed control in banana, beans, broccoli, carrot, celery, coffee, corn, cotton, grape, guava, lychee, mango, non-crop sites, okra, onion (green), papaya, pea, peanut, pineapple, potato (irish), pumpkin, sorghum, sugar cane Residual: Control of seedling grass and broadleaf weeds in carrot, lawn, sugarcane, turf Contact & residual: General weed control in beans, onion (green), peanut, potato (irish), sugar cane Systemic: General weed control in citrus, forest, non-crops sites, orchard Contact & residual: General control of seedling grass and broadleaf weeds in forest, sugar cane Systemic: Brush control in lawns, pasture, sugar cane; Broadleaved weeds, vines and woody shrubs; Suppresses nutsedge efficiently.

Crabgrass Seed Head

o you see this seed head in your lawn or in the field. That's crabgrass. And you have a

battle on your hands. Being

an annual weed, crabgrass perpetuates itself via seed - millions of seeds. Once the flowers you see here produce their end product, your primary option will be to use a lawn-care product in spring that prevents germination.

70-200g in 220 L

4.5-l 3.0 L

3.0 pt

2-4kg 2-8 L 0.21-2 kg 2-4 L

(Onion 50-100 ml)

5.0 L

5.0 pt

4.0 L

4.0 pt

5.0 L

5.0 pt

1 pt

1.5 -5.0 pt

2.5 - 5.0 L

2.5 - 5.0 pt

3.0 L

3.0 pt

1.8 - 2.0 L

1.8 - 2.0 pt

1.5 L

1.4 pt

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 79

Insects Control Guide

(Insecticides for Crops and Ornamentals) Trade name/ (active ingredient) Actara 25WG

Crops

Pests controlled

Days to Harvest

Citrus, Cocoa, Coffee, Cotton, Fruit Trees, Rice, Tobacco, Vegetables

Aphids, thrips, leafhoppers, scales, mealybugs, whitefly, flea beetles and others

Actellic 50EC (primiphos-methyl) Agree 50 WP = Dipel DF = Xentari (Baccilus thuringiensis) Alverde 24 SC

Beans and corn

Mites and other pests

Cabbage, Calaloo, Cauliflower, Cucumber, Melon, Tomato

Armyworms, Diamond Back Moth, cabbage worm, loopers, fruit and bud worm

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Pepper, Potato (Irish), Tomato

3 days

1.0 - 1.2 Litres/Ha

Avaunt 30 WG

Broccoli, Brussel Sprout, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Lettuce, Tomato Cabbage, Cauliflower, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Ornamentals, Papaya, Pepper, Potato (Irish), Tomato

Armyworms, Diamond Back Moth, cabbage worm, loopers, earworms Web worms and armyworm

3 days

0.25 kg/ha

Anti-fidant action on aphids, thrips, caterpillars, Diamond Back Moth, cutworms, leaf beetles, leafhoppers, loopers, mites etc. Cutworms

none

1-3 mls/ Litre

3 days

0.45 kg/186m

7 days

50-75ml /3.8L (US gallon) of water

(thiamethoxam)

(metaflumizone) (indoxacarb)

Bioneem 0.4% OL (azadirachtin)

Bug-Getta PLUS Snail, Slug & Insect Killer ( Metaldehyde & carbaryl) Plantguard Slug Liquid

Bean (snap), Broccoli, Cabbage, Carrot, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melon, Potato (Irish), Tomato Banana, Citrus, Ornamentals, Pea, Pepper, Tomato, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Carrot.

Slugs and Snails

Caprid 20SL

Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Citrus, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Eggplant, Lettuce, Papaya, Pepper, Tomato Corn, Rice, Vegetables

Diamond Back Moth (DBM), whiteflies, aphids, leafhoppers, scales, thrips, leafminers

(metaldehyde) (acetamiprid)

Caratrax 5 EC

(Lambda –cyhalothrin)

Carbaryl 80 WP (carbaryl)

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cherry, Citrus, Corn, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Mango, Non-crop Sites, Pasture, Pepper, Potato, Sweet Potato, Tomato

Confidor 70WG

Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Cassava (root), Cauliflower, Coffee, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Eggplant, Papaya, Pepper, Potato (Irish), Sweet Potato, Tomato Cabbage, Cauliflower, Citrus, Ornamentals, Pak Choi, Papaya, Pepper, Pepper (sweet), Tomato Carrot, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Lawns, Mango, Onion (green), Ornamentals, Papaya, Tomato, fruit Trees, Lawns and Ornamentals

(imidacloprid)

Cure 1.8 EC (abamectin)

Danitol10 EC (fenpropathrin)

Armyworms, caterpillars, cutworms, beetles, stinkbug, mealybugs etc. Aphids, thrips, moths, leafhoppers, armyworms, beetles, weevils, cutworms, stinkbugs, cucumber beetle, borers and many others. Aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies, leaf miners, scales

Not available

Dose Rates

3-7 days 1 day

13 g/20 Liters of water Apply as root drench- 25 ml per plant root 2-4 fl oz/Gallon 0.5-0.75 kg/ha (=0.5-0.75 Lb/acre)

7 days

2.5-5.0 ml/3.8 Liters of water

20 days

5-10 mL per 3.8 Litres

3-14 days

0.7 -4.1 kg/ha

21 days

250-500 g/ha 2.5-5gm/10 Litres water

Diamond Back Moth (DBM), aphids, mites, thrips

3–7 days

2.5 – 5.0 ml/ 4 Liters of water

cabbage worm, DBM, leaf miners, loopers, mites (except for rust mite), whiteflies, cutworms, thrips, armyworms, aphids and many others.

14 days

5-10 ml/3.8 liters of water

COMMOND INSECTS IN JAMAICA

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 80

Insects Control Guide

Trade name/ (active ingredient)

(Insecticides for Crops and Ornamentals) Crops

Pests controlled

Days to Harvest

Dose Rates

Banana, Cabbage, Carrot, Coffee, Cucumber, Fruit Trees, Lettuce, Potato, Rice, Stored Commodities, Sugar Cane, Sweet Pepper Bean (snap), Beans, Beet, Cabbage, Carrot, Citrus, Cucumber, Kidney Beans, Mango, Ornamentals, Pea, Pepper, Tomato, Turnip (root) Beans, Carrot, Cauliflower, Coffee, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Ornamentals, Pea, Potato, Sugar Cane, Tomato Rice, Sweet Potato Vegetables, ornamentals, fruit crops, cucurbits.

Aphids, thrips, ants, caterpillars, whiteflies, mites

Rice leaf miner, armyworms, rice stink bug

30 days

100-150 ml/ha in 200 l water

Cotton, Grape, Onion (dry Bulb), Pea, Pepper, Potato, Tomato

Armyworms, cutworms, worms, beetles, fruit worms, thrips, aphids

14 days

Indox 15 SC (indoxacarb)

Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Corn, Lettuce, Onion (green), Parsley, Tomato Citrus, Coffee, Cotton, Rice, Sorghum, Sugar Cane, Vegetables

Caterpillars

250-350ml/ha in 400-600 Litres of water 4-5ml/3.78Lires water

Kurmectin EC (abamectin)

Citrus, Cucumber, Lettuce, Ornamentals, Papaya, Pepper, Tomato

Malathion 50 EC (malathion)

Vegetables, Citrus, Mango, Papaya, Fruit Trees, Lawns, Ornamentals, Pasture

Match (lufenuron)

Cabbage, Callaloo, Cauliflower, Citrus, Corn, Cotton, Cucumber, Escallion, Melon, Onion (green), Ornamentals, Pak Choi, Potato (Irish), Pumpkin, Soybean, Sweet Pepper, Tobacco, Tomato Citrus, Ornamentals, Pepper, Rice, Sugar Cane, Tobacco, Tomato, Vegetables, Watermelon Repel all natural insects. Cabbage, Citrus, Melon, Ornamentals, Pepper, Potato, Squash, Tomato, Watermelon

Detia Diatomaceous Algae

(silicon dioxide) Diazinon (diazinon)

Dimethoate 40EC (dimethoate)

Engeo

(Lambda –cyhalothrin & thiamethoxam)

Flash 5 EC

(Lambda –cyhalothrin)

Karate Zeon

(Lambda –cyhalothrin)

Mimic SC (tebufenozide) Neem-X 0.4% LC AZA-Direct LS (azadirachtin)

aphids, cabbage loopers, caterpillars, armyworms, beetles, leafhoppers, whiteflies and many others aphids, mites, whiteflies

Armyworms, cutworms, worms, beetles, stinkbug, mealybugs, leafhoppers etc. Aphids, thrips, spider mite, rust mite, broad mite, leaf miners, Diamond Back moth Aphids, mites, scales, leafhoppers, leaf miners, thrips, loopers, mealybugs, beetles, armyworms and many others Caterpillars, worms, mites, Diamond Back moth Armyworm, loopers, fruitworms, corn borer, perforators, rust mites Caterpillars, armyworms, web worms, bud worm, Repel all natural insects. Aphids, thrips, caterpillars, Diamond Back Moth, cutworms, leaf beetles, leafhoppers, loopers, mites etc. Two spotted spider mite

Nissorun 10% WP (hexythiazox)

Carnations, Chrysanthemum, Citrus, Cucumber, Kidney Beans, Papaya, Rose, Strawberry, Sweet Pepper

Oberon 24 SC (spiromesifen) Obulus 5 EC

Corn, Cotton, Mango, Papaya, Potato (Irish), Tomato Garlic, Maize, Onion (dry Bulb), Potato, Sorghum, Tomato Fruit Trees, Ornamentals

Broad mite, spider mite, whiteflies

Pegasus (diafenthiuron)

Cabbage, Cucumber, Melon, Ornamentals, Pepper, Tomato

Romite 1.8 EC (abamectin) Rotaprid 35 SC (imidacloprid) Selecron

Melon, Ornamentals, Tomato

Diamond back Moth, thrips, Aphids, mites, whiteflies Mites (red & spider)

(Lambda –cyhalothrin)

Ortho Volck Oil Spary

(paraffinic mineral oil)

(profenofos)

Citrus, Melon, Onion (dry Bulb), Potato (Irish), Rice, Tomato Cucumber, Tomato

Aphids, armyworms, core weevil, thrips, leafminers Mites, scale insects, mealybugs, whiteflies

Aphids, leafminers, thrips, plant hoppers, whiteflies Mites, armyworms, leaf perforators, loopers etc.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 81

0 days

1-7 days

7 days

7 days 21 days 7 days none

See the label

20-30 ml in 4-8 Liters of water 445-900 ml in 400 L water

8-12ml/15L(0.20.25pt/45gal) 2.5-5.0 ml/ 4 L water 15-30 ml in 4 Litres/water

14 days

4-5 Liters/ ha

14 days

209 ml-1.17 L/ha

Not provided

1-3 ml/ Liter of water

1 day

2.5 - 5g/3.8

15 days 1 day

0.35-0.5 L/ha /300-600L water 175-250 ml/Ha

7 days n/a

Liters (US Gallon) of water

5 tbsp (2.5 fl oz)/ Gallon 60-80 ml/ 100Liters water

7 days

0.5-1.5 L/ha

21 days 4

0.5-1.0 L/Ha 1.0-1.2 liters / ha

Insects Control Guide

(Insecticides for Crops and Ornamentals) Days to 4 Harvest

Trade name/ Selecron (active ingredient) (profenofos) Sevin 80 S Sevin 80 WP See also Carbaryl 80 WP (carbaryl) Suldan

Crops Cucumber, Tomato

Sumithion 50 EC (fenitrothion)

Thrips, aphids, red spider mite, aphids, scales, armyworms, leaf miners

Leafminers, thrips, armyworms, aphids, ants, caterpillars

7 days

Tracer 120 SC (spinosad)

Beans, Cauliflower, Citrus, Cotton, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Tomato, Onion, Escallion Celery, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Lettuce, Ornamentals, Tomato Brassica (broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Kale, Chinese Cabbage), Celery, Citrus, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melon, Ornamentals, Pepper, Potato (Irish), Strawberry, Tomato, Watermelon Banana, Citrus, Ornamentals, Pea, Pepper, Tomato

Caterpillars, worms, Beet armyworm, armyworm, cucumber worm, Diamond Back moth,

1 day

(fenpropathrin / fenitrothion)

Trigard 75WP (cyromazine) Vertimec 1.8 EC (abamectin)

Deadline M-Ps Mini Pellets

Brassica (broccoli, Cauliflower, Cabbage, Kale, Chinese Cabbage), Citrus, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Poultry House Coffee

Mites, armyworms, leaf Pests controlled perforators, loopers etc.

Aphids, thrips, moths, leafhoppers, armyworms, beetles, weevils, cutworms, stinkbugs, cucumber beetle, borers and many others. Coffee borer

3 days

5/8 -1 1/4 lbs per acre. 5 g /Liter of water

7-15 days

Leafminers and flies

7 days

Mites, leafminers, Diamondback Moth, Aphids

3-7 days

Snails and Slugs

Doseliters Rates 1.0-1.2 / ha

7 days

acre

350ml/

0.6-2.2 Litres/ha 15-30 ml in 3-4 Litres/water 0.1-0.2 litre/ha

15-40 g in 100 Litres water 32-64 mls/100lts water

9-18 kg/he on soil surface

Editor’s note: PHI** (days) –Pre-harvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest. Information should be used as a guide and is not a substitute for manufacturer label.

(metaldehyde)

COMMON INSECTS

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 82

Disease Control Guide

Trade name/

(Active ingredient)

(Fungicides for Crops and Ornamentals) Crops

ACROBAT MZ 69 WP (dimethomorph)

Lettuce, cucurbits, onion, potatoes.

AMISTAR 50 WG (azoxystrobin)

Banana, Beans, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Cauliflower, Celery, Citrus, Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Ornamentals, Papaya, Pepper, Pineapple, Potato, Pumpkin, Tomato, Watermelon Banana,coffee

BANKIT AZ ( azoxystrobin) Bravo 720 (Chlorothalonil

Bananas, Plantains, Vegetables

Pests controlled

Downy mildew, Anthracnose Gummy stem blight, Alternaria leaf spot, Late blight, Early blight Wide range of fungal diseases (leaf spots, powdery mildew)

12 hours

Banana, Beans, Cabbage, Cantaloupes, Cauliflower, Celery, Citrus, Cucumber, Eggplant, Lettuce, Ornamentals, Papaya, Pepper, Pineapple, Potato, Pumpkin, Tomato, Watermelon

Rhizoctonia sp. Cercospora spot; Botrytis leaf blight, Alternaria Leaf Spot, Black Sigatoka

BOTRAN 75 W (dicloran) BUMPER 25 EC (PROPICONAZOLE) CALIXIN 86 OL (tridemorph)

Post-harvest fungicide dip: Sweet Potato, Yams Banana, Plantain

Post- harvest rots caused by fungal pathogens Black Sigatoka

Banana, plantain

Black Sigatoka

Bean (dry), Bean (snap), Cabbage, Carrot, Citrus, Cocoa, Coffee, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Eggplant, Guava, Lawns, Mango, Onion (green), Ornamentals, Papaya, Peanut, Pepper, Banana, Corn, Cotton, Cucumber, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Grape, Onion (dry Bulb), Papaya, Peanut, Plantain, Potato (Irish), Tomato

Wide range of fungal diseases, mildews, Gummy stem blight, Early Blight, Late Blight, Bacterial wilt, Anthracnose

DITHANE M-45

DITHANE M-45 NT ( Mancozeb) DUPONT MANKOCIDE

(mancozeb &copper

hydroxide) MANZATE PROSTICK (mancozeb)

Asparagus, Conifer, Corn, Cotton, Cucumber, Grape, Melon, Onion (dry Bulb), Papaya, Peanut, Potato Irish), Squash, Tomato Banana, Cantaloupes, Cucumber, Melon, Tomato, Watermelon Banana, Cantaloupes, Corn, Cucumber, Garlic, Grape, Melon, Onion (dry Bulb), Papaya, Peanut, Plantain, Potato (Irish), Tomato, Turf Grass, Watermelon

0 days

Sigatoka leaf spot,Surface mold,crown rot ,blight Early and late blight, brown spot, anthracnose

BELLIS 38 WG ( Boscalid / Pyraclostrobin)

CHAMPION 77 WP (copper hydroxide)

Days to Harvest* 7-13 days depending on crop. Potato- 14 days

Black Sigatoka Wide range of fungal diseases, mildews, Gummy stem blight, Early Blight, Late Blight, Anthracnose

Dose Rates

20g/3.8L of water. (plus Mancozeb)

210g/ha (3.0 oz./acre) 0r 4.6 grams / gallon of water

15ml(1tbspn)/ 4lt of water

Not applicable

8-12g/3.8L water 2 to 4 teaspoons / 3.8 Liters (US Gallon) of water 1/2 lb/100 gal of water

Read the label

0 days

0.5 l/ha

Read the label

1-3 lbs/acre

3 -7 days depending on the crop

Banana: 3kg/ha up to30kg/grow cycle

Wide range of fungal diseases, mildews, Gummy stem blight, Early Blight, Late Blight Anthracnose Mildews, leaf spots, bacterial speck, Early blight, Late blight, Gummy stem blight, Anthracnose Mildews, leaf spots, bacterial speck, Early blight, Late blight, Gummy stem blight, Anthracnose, black Sigatoka

5 days

0.5-2 lbs/acre

5 days

2-2.5 lbs/acre

5 days

1-3 lbs/acre depending on crop. Read label

Editor’s note: PHI** (days) –Pre-harvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest. Information should be used as a guide and is not a substitute for manufacturer label. Courtesy of Rural Agricultural Development Authority For further information please contact: Marina Young <youngm@rada.gov.jm> Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 83

Disease Control Guide

(Fungicides for Crops and Ornamentals) Trade name/

Crops

(Active ingredient)

IMPULSE 80 EC (spiroxamine) MAGNATE SULPHATE 75 SP (imazalil) MERTECT 220 SL

Banana, Plantain

FUNGAFLOR 75.0 SP (imazalil) KOCIDE 2000

Banana

(THIABENDAZOLE)

Banana, Pineapple, Yams Banana

Pests controlled

Black Sigatoka

Days to Harvest*

0 days

Post-harvest treatment for control of crown rot Not applicable

Dose Rates

0.4 litre/ha (5.8 floz/acre) 200-750 ppm 91 ml/ 100L water 200-600 ppm

Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, downy mildew, Gummy stem blight Anthracnose

ODEON 82.5 WG (Chlorothalonil)

Bean (dry), Carrot, Coffee, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Mango, Pea, Pepper, Potato (Irish), Tomato Banana, Melon, Plantain, Potato (Irish)

Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, Anthracnose, Black Sigatoka

7-14 days

2.5 Litres/hectar e

ODEON 82.5 WG (chlorothalonil)

Banana, Melon, Plantain, Potato (Irish)

7-14 days

0.7 -1.0 kg/hectare

PHYTON 27

Banana, Cabbage, Celery, Cucumber, Melon, Onion (green), Ornamentals, Papaya, Pepper, Tomato Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Onion (green), Potato (Irish), Tobacco, Tomato

Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, Anthracnose, Black Sigatoka Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, Anthracnose, Black Sigatoka Early blight and late blight on the foliage of potatoes; downy mildew in onions and head lettuce; downy in grapes; and the suppression of Pythium leak and pink rot in potatoes. Anthracnose, bacterial speck, Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, downy mildew, Gummy stem blight

( COPPER HYDROXIDE)

(COPPER SULPHATE PENTAHYDRATE

RIDOML GOLD MZ 68 WP (metalaxyl Mancozeb)

MANCOZEB 80 WP (mancozeb)

Revus (Mandipropamid) SANCOZEB 80 WP (mancozeb)

Score

Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Grape, Mango, Onion (green), Ornamentals, Papaya, Potato, Tomato, Vegetables Banana, Beans, Citrus, Crucifers (cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Pak Choy Etc), Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Onions,tomato,Cucurbits,potato,pe ppers Banana, Beans, Citrus, Cruciferae (cabbage, Cauliflower, Broccoli, Pak Choy Etc), Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Grape, Mango, Onion (green), Ornamentals, Papaya, Potato, Tomato, Vegetables Vegetables ,Banana, Plantains and potatoes

Early Blight,Late Blight; Downy Mildew Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, downy mildew, Gummy stem blight Anthracnose, bacterial speck

Read the label

1.5 lbs/acre

0 days

1.25-2.0 ml/litre water

14 days

2.5 kg/ha

Read the label Vegetables: 14 days

Leaf spot, sigatoka diseases, early blight

15-30g/3.8 Liters (US Gallon) of water

5ml/4lt of water 200g/100L water

10ml (2tspn)/4lt of water

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 84

Disease Control Guide

(Fungicides for Crops and Ornamentals) Trade name/

(Active ingredient)

Crops

Pests controlled

SJFS CHAMPION WP

Cabbage, Carrot, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Pepper

SIGANEX 60 SC

Banana, Plantain

Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, downy mildew, Gummy stem blight Anthracnose, bacterial speck Black Sigatoka

SULCOX-OH 50 ( copper hydroxide) SOPRAL 7.5 EC

Cabbage, Carrot, Citrus, Coffee, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Ornamentals, Papaya, Pepper, Tomato Banana

Fungal leaf spots, Late blight, Early blight, downy mildew, Gummy stem blight Anthracnose, bacterial speck Black Sigatoka

TEGA 25 SC

Banana, Plantain

Black Sigatoka

TILT 250 EC

Banana, Coffee, Plantain

Banana: Black Sigatoka

TOP COP WITH SULFUR (copper

sulfate /tri-basic)

Beans, Beet, Broccoli, Carrot, Cauliflower, Corn, Cucumber, Onion (dry Bulb), Pea, Peanut, Pepper, Potato (Irish), Pumpkin, Tomato

Early Blight, Late Blight, Gummy stem blight, bacterial and fungal leaf spots, mildews

TOPSIN 70% WP (Thiophanate methyl)

Cucumber, Onion (green), Potato (Irish), Pumpkin, Squash, Watermelon

TOPSIN-M 70.0 OD (Thiophanate methyl) TRIFMINE 30 WP (Triflumizole)

Banana, plantain

Fusarium wilt, Rhizoctonia spp., wide range of fungal leaf spots and powdery mildew Black Sigatoka

Apple, Avocado, Cherry, Cucurbits (cantaloupe, Cucumber, Melons, Pumpkin, Squash), Eggplant, Grape, Green Pepper, Peach, Rice, Strawberry, Tea, Tobacco, Tomato

Downy mildew

TRICHOZAM 8.3 WP

Beans, Corn, Cucumber, Lettuce, Melon, Ornamentals, Pepper, Potato (Irish), Sweet Pepper, Tomato, Watermelon

Used for soil application to suppress pathogenic fungi (Fusarium spp., Rhizoctonia spp., Pythium spp.) Pythium spp. , Phytophthora spp. Yellow Sigatoka

(COPPER HYDROXIDE)

( PYRIMETHANIL)

( EPOXICONAZOLE) (TRIFLOXYSTROBIN) (PROPICONAZOLE)

(TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM)

TRUBAN 30 WP (ETRIDIAZOLE)

VOLLEY 88 OL

Ornamentals

Banana, Plantain

Editor’s note: PHI** (days)–Pre-harvest interval. Do not apply within this many days of harvest. Information should be used as a guide and is not a substitute for manufacturer label. Courtesy of Rural Agricultural Development Authority Marina Young <youngm@rada.gov.jm> (FENPROPIMORPH)

Days to Harvest*

Dose Rates

7 days

2.0 kg/hectare

7 days

15-30g/3.8

Liters (US Gallon) of water

30 days

1.0 litre/ha

0 days

0.33 litres/hectare

160 ml/acre or 5 oz/acre Not given

7 days

Read label Read label

0 days

Not applicable 0 days

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 85

4.6 - 6.9 litres/ha

280-400 gm/100L/ac

113 g/acre (= 4.0 oz/acre)

Read the label. Dose rate ranges from 0.3 kg to 1.0 kg/ha depending on the crop 240 gms per hectare

6-12 oz / 100gal 0.5 litres/ hectare

Health Tips for Men ‘Hope is a waking dream’ Aristotle

1. Find a doctor. Choose one you're comfortable with, so you can openly discuss all aspects of your health, from your mental state to your sexual function to your overall wellness. 2. See that doctor. "Just because you are feeling well doesn’t mean you are well. Have a tendency toward denial? Don’t ignore things like black stools, vision loss, or chest pain. Unfortunately, men have a tendency to do just that." 3. Get informed. "You do want to be knowledgeable and understand that you shouldn’t ignore symptoms or complaints, but you don’t want to self-diagnose." 4. Vary your workouts. "The body gets very comfortable when you always do the same workout. You have got to keep varying your exercises, and they have to be an ageappropriate mix of aerobics, muscle training, and stretching." 5. Eat to thrive. Getting enough nutrition is crucial. “It’s more important than anything else except maybe sleep,” Lamm says. “Focus on nutrients rather than calories,” and eat a variety of healthy foods. “You can’t achieve optimum nutrition with limited choices." 6. Prioritize sleep. "Get at least 7 hours. That’s not something you should compromise. Men think they can overcome sleep deprivation by exercising or whatever,” but that’s a bad idea, he says. 7. Check your head. "Mental health is really, really important. Think about several things: Are you drinking too much? Are you paying attention to signs of depression or bipolar disorder, which often get missed? If you have a family history of mental illness, suicide, and/or substance abuse, you really need someone to help you review the signs and symptoms."

Check your Prostate

Because the prostate gland tends to grow larger with age, it may squeeze the urethra and cause problems in passing urine. Sometimes men in their 30s and 40s may begin to have these urinary symptoms and need medical attention. For others, symptoms aren't noticed until much later in life. An infection or a tumor can also make the prostate larger. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the urinary symptoms.

8. Stay ready for sex. "When you’re stressed out, not sleeping, or drinking too much, you can’t get an erection on demand, and a man’s erection is a barometer for overall health. Exercising, eating well, and sleeping well are the best ways to be sure you’re a stud in the bedroom." 9. Care for your prostate. "The prostate grows as you get older. You’ll almost certainly have symptoms, like urinary problems. A really healthy, low-fat diet will reduce the likelihood of prostate growth and may reduce the risk of prostate cancer."

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 86

‘Change your thoughts and you change your world’ Norman Vincent Peale

Strategies for a healthy diet

Eat enough calories but not too many. Maintain a balance between your calorie intake and calorie expenditure—that is, don’t eat more food than your body uses. The average recommended daily allowance is 2,000 calories, but this depends on your age, sex, height, weight and physical activity. Eat a wide variety of foods. Healthy eating is an opportunity to expand your range of choices by trying foods—especially vegetables, whole grains or fruits— that you don’t normally eat. Keep portions moderate, especially high-calorie foods. In recent years serving sizes have ballooned, particularly in restaurants. Choose a starter instead of an entrée, split a dish with a friend and don’t order supersized anything. Eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, grains, and legumes—foods high in complex carbohydrates, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, low in fat and free of cholesterol. Try to get fresh, local produce. Drink more water. Our bodies are about 75% water. It is a vital part of a healthy diet. Water helps flush our systems, especially the kidneys and bladder of waste products and toxins. A majority of Americans go through life dehydrated. Limit sugary foods, salt, and refined grain products. Sugar is added to a vast array of foods. In a year, just one daily 12ounce can of soda (160 calories) can increase your weight by 16 pounds. See suggestions below for limiting salt and substituting whole grains for refined grains. Don’t be the food police. You can enjoy your favourite sweets and fried foods in moderation, as long as they are an occasional part of your overall healthy diet. Food is a great source of pleasure, and

pleasure is good for the heart – even if those French fries aren’t! Get moving. A healthy diet improves your energy and feelings of well-being while reducing your risk of many diseases. Adding regular physical activity and exercise will make any healthy eating plan work even better. One step at a time. Establishing new food habits is much easier if you focus on and take action on one food group or food fact at a time Eating smart: A key step towards healthy eating. Healthy eating begins with learning how to “eat smart”. It’s not just what you eat, but how you eat. Paying attention to what you eat and choosing foods that are both nourishing and enjoyable helps support an overall healthy diet. Take time to chew your food: Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush through our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavours and feel the textures of what is in our mouths. Reconnect with the joy of eating.

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 87

FA R M J O K E S ‘Happiness is not something you postpone for the future; it is something you design for the present’ Jim Rohn

• Why shouldn't you tell a secret on a farm? Because the potatoes have eyes and the corn has ears! • What do you get when you cross a robot and a tractor? A transfarmer. What day do potatoes hate the most?

• Why did the farmer feed his pigs sugar and vinegar? He wanted sweet and sour pork! "Why can't you make bread like my mother?" Wife: "Why can't you make dough like my father?"

• What farm animal keeps the best time? A watch dog! • Did you hear about the magic tractor? It turned into a field!

Tropical Farmers’ Almanac 2017 •www.tropicalfarmersalmanac.com • 88

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