Field day for farmers-● Keeping abreast of new production techniques |14 July 2011

The farmers and a party of school children from Anse Boileau were welcomed to the “field day” -- held twice a year -- by the head of the research centre, Gilbert Port-Louis and were taken on a conducted tour.

Kevin Nanty, principal research officer, explained how it is important to save water and avoid wastage, especially during the prevailing dry season.

During the tour, emphasis was laid on crop water production, crop protection trials and controlled use of pesticides as well as biological controls of pest and disease to avoid health and environmental hazards.

Mr Nanty also told the farmers and pupils about “screening”, which is testing a sample plant to find how it adapts to the local climate and soil conditions as well as its yield.

Different techniques of irrigation and fertigation were also discussed.

Mr Nanty also spoke of the tropical fruit nursery which has moved from Grand Anse to Anse Boileau. This sells various potted fruits such as citrus, korosol, kerdbef, pawpaw, prenzel, chili and others at between R25 and R75.

Andre Volcy, one of three researchers who recently followed a training course in Syria, which is a country with little water, showed the farmers and pupils how soil moisture can be assessed using a “diviner”. A bed of cucumbers, a plant using ample water, was used for that purpose.

Anse Boileau primary school art teacher Zita Bastile led the party of P6 pupils to the “field day”. The clearly motivated teacher told Nation she hopes that even a few of them will be impressed by what they have seen and take up agriculture as a career.