NAREI takes spices project to Essequibo Coast

THE National Agricultural Research and Extension (NAREI) has been working with farmers to expand spices cultivation on the Essequibo Coast, Region Two, as part of its agriculture diversification agenda.

“Spices cultivation is uncommon on the Essequibo Coast since most farmers dedicate arable lands to rice and fruits and vegetables. [The] majority of the spices being used in the region are purchased from Barima- Waini, Region One- the country’s spices capital,” Eon Sampson, NAREI’s Coastland Coordinator said.

Sampson related that earlier this year NAREI approached two farmers to establish demonstration plots for turmeric and ginger production. Mr Cromwell Mentis of Queenstown is one of the farmers who took up the opportunity.

According to Usha Ramlakhan, NAREI’s Extension officer, on May 10, 2018, the spices project commenced on Mentis’ farm. “The objectives of this project are to increase the production of spices in the region so as to reduce importing from other regions. And, to test the price stability of the crop in relation to demand and supply,” she added.

Mentis was provided with 10lbs ginger and 10lbs planting materials. NAREI also provided limestone and fertiliser to aid land preparation. Mentis added chicken manure to further enrich the soil. NAREI’s staff routinely monitored the progress of the project.

“I usually plant celery, cabbage, and eschallot in my backyard and sell at a stall through Post Office Street…So NAREI staff would usually visit me. They asked whether I would be interested in planting ginger and turmeric on my farm and I said yes,” Mentis said.

Eight months later, Mentis is currently harvesting ginger and would do similarly to his turmeric crop shortly. “I was surprised with the entire project. I didn’t realise it was so easy to grow spices. So far I reaped 52 and three-quarter pounds of ginger and I still have some more to harvest. And, in about a week I will harvest the turmeric,” he added.

Of the two crops, Mentis intends to continue planting ginger. From the harvest, he will keep an amount for planting materials and sell the remainder for $300 per pound. Ginger is currently being sold for $400 per pound in the region.

According to Ramlakhan, the project conducted on Mentis’ farm was successful. Data obtained from his farm will be compared with the spices project being implemented in Taymouth Manor, Essequibo Coast.

“After harvest, we will make a comparison based on the soil type since the one in Queenstown was planted on a more loose soil with clay and manure while the soil type at Taymouth Manor consisted more of clay with burnt paddy shell or black dust,” Ramlakhan said.