EDITOR: Historically Union Island skilled a moist season and a dry season yearly. Enough rain water is often harvested in the course of the wet season and rationed within the dry season.
Native seeds would have tailored to the native climate situations and we often bought a superb crop as a consequence.
Some years noticed prolonged dry season that will lengthen right into a drought. We at all times had enough corn and peas from the earlier season to feed the inhabitants.
When corn ran out elsewhere, many made their option to Gardenfield to purchase, from the then recognized bread basket of the island likened to Joseph’s Egypt of Bible occasions.
Within the years when the climate was not too co-operative, the international seeds carried out poorly, whereas the indigenous seeds did nicely. The outdated farmers had been meticulous in choosing and saving the very best seeds for the following season.
This 12 months nevertheless is popping out to be a very good one as we’ve had enough rain each month for the previous 5 months. We expect a superb crop of pigeon peas.
Sharon and Moulton Mulzac recorded wonderful crops of corn and can have some extra for the Christmas season.
Way back there was a lot proof of terracing, and contouring to preserve the soil and permit the water desk to be recharged. This may be attributed to the work executed by the then resident Agricultural Officer, Mr. Lloyd Browne.
Uncontrolled animals on the free are nonetheless stopping many from rising crops.
Fencing, although it is rather costly, has change into essential if the households are to feed themselves.
Agriculture has nice potential in Union Island because the crops grown listed here are extra nutritious, and have increased portions of most cancers preventing anti-oxidants.
A resident agricultural officer could make a giant distinction in bettering the native meals safety. The fruits this 12 months had been plentiful. At the moment we’ve guavas, sugar apples, pomegranates. The mango bushes had a number of bearings. 5 fingers, soursop, cherries, and plums had been most considerable in the course of the third quarter of the 12 months.
Many of those fruits ought to discover their option to the St. Mathias Anglican Harvest pageant this coming Sunday when the trustworthy collect in gratitude for all God’s blessings.
Earlier within the 12 months, there was an abundance of salt and lots of harvested what they might. Since sea moss was launched right here by Mrs. Ann Harvey, the crop has been an enormous blessing to those that interact in its cultivation, and people who harvest these rising within the wild.
Certainly, we’ve a lot to be pleased about.We have now skilled considerable blessings this 12 months.
Anthony G. Stewart, PhD
