The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2012 annual report for this blog. Click the link below for an info-graphic report on this blog’s activities for 2012!
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
Here’s an excerpt:
600 people reached the top of Mt. Everest in 2012. This blog got about 8,700 views in 2012. If every person who reached the top of Mt. Everest viewed this blog, it would have taken 15 years to get that many views.
The Agri Cube
Image Courtesy: Google Search
In browsing the idea database found at Springwise.com I came across some interesting high tech agricultural products. Without thinking the thought came to mind of how marvelous these products are; but are they necessary? The first was the Japanese created Agri-Cube a container unit that fits inside a standard parking space and can produce 10,000 vegetables a year. “The Agri-Cube utilises variable fluorescent lighting, temperature control and a fertilizer circulation and drainage system to give urban farmers flexibility with their crops, which grow on stacked shelves inside the unit.” Now thes device has its uses. It gives the user complete control over the environment in which food grows. And due to it’s high production, it can be used in schools, hospitals, restaurant etc. However this device is quite costly and it has a high maintenance cost. Keep this point on hand.
The Water Generating Wind Turbine
Image courtesy: Springwise.com
Heading over a continent to France, the company Eole Water “has now created a wind turbine that can condense water in the air and make it safe for drinking. According to the company, the turbine can produce up to 1,000 liters a day. For communities situated in regions with few or low quality water supplies, the turbine could prove to be a vital resource.” The device is now being tested in extreme weather conditions. The benefits of this device are outstanding as water is a necessity for life. Livestock and crops can then rely on this as a suitable resource. As with the previous contraption this technology is quite expensive and has been in research and development for years. Remember this second point as well.
My question is this: Why should so much be invested on such high levels of technology if much simpler and cost effective techniques are in coexistence? Further thought led to the realization that I was thinking in such small standards. The Caribbean does not have harsh or inclement weather year round whereas other places in the world do experience such weather. Regardless of where in the world humanity exists, food and water are an absolute necessity. These technologies may be unsuitable for some regions of the world, but for developed countries they are quite affordable and cost effective. Not only are these technologies a wonder, but they are thoughtful purpose driven towards food and nutrition security, rather than achieving the rewards generated by the success of business operation.
For a video highlighting the Agri Cube, click here
For a concept video explaing the workings of the water generating wind turbine click here
A supervisor explains to the students the equipment used for the weather station, the system itself and what measurements are available.
Did you know that some people do not believe in climate change?! I hope you aren’t one of them as much of global discourse focuses on this topic and its effects on agriculture in addition to the increased instances of natural disasters. As we all know once crops and livestock are lost due to any kind of inclement weather there is no replacing them. Therefore predicting weather conditions and patterns is clearly important. On the ABS Study Tour that was recently held in Jamaica, students visited the Sam Motta Demonstration and Training Centre (SMDTC) to examine their Goat and Sheep breeding and production programme. However in the process of this learning event, we were exposed to the station’s recently acquired weather monitoring system. The equipment is quite impressive offering regular updates on weather patterns/measurements and easy access via internet and USB connection capability. However the system is not connected to the internet reducing its effectiveness.Though the technology is present it is simply being underutilized. On the other end of the spectrum, I came across this video on Farmindustry.com. (Click the link to see the video). It explains the “John Deere Mobile Weather Device which is now available for application equipment to help operators make proper weather-related decisions.” Therefore when tending to lands in their tractor, or other vehicle the farm operator is able to identify how weather conditions such as wind velocity, precipitation and humidity may affect the application of a product such as fertilizer or pesticide. This allows the farmer to effectively apply this product at all times. That’s quite impressive in my book. Although we may not have need for such technology, we here in the Caribbean should make full use of what we’ve got. In this case it’s just as good!
Weather Station at Sam Motta Demonstration Station, Jamaica
It has been quite a long time since I’ve highlighted the activities of the Agribusiness Society. So it’s fitting to explain our most recent event. One of the aims of the ABS is to ensure student development. Therefore each year the society organizes a Study Tour to another island within the region for interested Graduate and undergraduate students. It is quite to a feat to organize such an event however it has been successful for the past two years. The first was held in St. Vincent and the Grenadines where the students were exposed first hand to value added agriculture and agro-processing in addition to completing a value chain analysis on several commodities. The second was held in Suriname and Guyana. The students executed a group project comparing the fish landing sites of Suriname, Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago and their readiness for export in addition to examining the full scale mechanization of the rice, banana and sugar industries. The most recent was a visit to Jamaica to examine the pig, beef, small ruminant and dairy industries. Once again the venturewas a success. On events such as these the students try to be sensitized to as much information as possible. Therefore it is common to explore other sectors in the agri-industry. This post highlights the innovations and simple technologies/methods that the students experience at the Adams Valley Greenhouse/Shade-house operation in Jamaica. These images are proof that farming is much more than just planting a seed. You must be forward thinking, efficient and innovative to succeed!
The Adams Valley Shade House Operation lay at the bottom of a hill. Therefore its owner placed these tarpaulins for rainwater harvesting and storage to the top. He can then use a smaller pump that requires less energy (less gas) to pump the water out after which gravity then carries the water down to his crops. As you can see here, in several instances, his set up and operation costs are drastically reduced.
Additional rainwater storage is strategically placed lower down the hill. These deposits are also home to tilapia whose waste add nutrients to the water before it is fed to the crops. More importantly to prevent wastage of feed, the owner created these simple devices consisting of underwater trays and recycled plastic bottles to keep the feed at mid level in the water. Therefore the fish can feed when they please and the feed itself does not sink to the bottom. The owner indicated that there is no guarantee that the fish will eat the feed when it sinks to the bottom.
The owner decided to build his own shade house. As the owner of the operation he is aware of his landscape and the scale he wishes to achieve. Therefore he purchased his own inputs and built the shade-houses to his specifications thereby resolving the issues that may arise with such production such as overheating. He bent the metal himself, granted he has a engineering background. This also greatly reduced the operation’s set up costs
As his operation mostly consists of shade-houses, they are at risk to pest build up over time. In order to reduce costs and prevent the negative effects of pesticide use. the owner places his soil in a nylon netting -like material and boils it. You read correctly. He boils the soil in water as you see above. The heat and stem actually sterilizes the soil, leaving it free of parasites and other pests.
A Window Farm built of recyclable materials. It was built and displayed by the Agribusiness Society (ABS) of the University of the West Indies (UWI) at its orientation week event.
In studies at the University of the West Indies, most agri-based students learn of the movement of people from rural areas to urban areas in search of employment and entertainment. We students are taught that as a direct result of this movement, rural agriculture suffers. ‘Many young persons simply do not perceive agriculture to be a worthwhile career.’ We’ve all heard this phrase before. However this trend seems to be changing worldwide. With the ever increasing demand for food and nutrition security, health concerns are rising. These include the issue of genetically modified foods and their contamination of natural food commodities; the negative effect that industrial agriculture has on biodiversity and the environment; and the need for sustainable agriculture among other issues. A new trend has emerged in the global landscape. I refer to Urban Agriculture. This is the practice of cultivating, processing and distributing food in, or around, a village, town or city. Urban agriculture in addition can also involve animal husbandry, aquaculture, agro-forestry, and horticulture. It also has the added benefit of beautifying an urban area and encouraging communication and business within small communities of larger cities. In developing countries and poorer states, urban farming contributes most to the nutrition and health of persons living in highly populated city areas. The best example of urban agriculture in the Caribbean is the Cuban Green Revolution whereby through necessity the government and the people of Cuba worked together to turn the urban areas of the country into green, food producing and sustainable settings. The Agribusiness Society of UWI has done its part in highlighting the benefits of urban farming by building and demonstrating techniques for the craft. I refer to the creation of our very own Window Farm, a vertical hydroponic garden for growing food in the window of your own home and the Multi – Storey Garden which was featured twice on this blog. (See part two the Multi Storey Garden Post here!)
The light bulbs place in the set up are meant to support the plants during winter months in colder climates. However they are useless in the Caribbean and are simply placed there for the display. This is an example of appropriating urban farm technologies
Similar to many other worldwide trends, blogs and other online communities centred on Urban Agriculture have grown at breathtaking speed as people like you, me and others all over the world have taken initiative and communicate information of all sorts concerning the craft. As a result you can gather a mass amount of information on urban agriculture from the internet. A good place to start would be here at the links below, but you should note that adaptation of these technologies will differ in the Caribbean due to our geographical location. Not every urban agriculture technique is suited for our region and vice versa. Here are some links to start you of right on your urban agriculture endeavours!
http://urbanagriculture-news.blogspot.com/ - Urban Agriculture News is a news service providing a review of daily news pertinent to the urban farming community, as well as city planners, landscape designers & urban developers that are planning & practicing alternative farming within urban environments.
http://localblu.com/blog/ - A ‘local’ movement of people from all over the United States, with a myriad of backgrounds. Together they all contribute to the operation of this blog centered on urban farming and sustainability, among other topics
Localblu.com – an urban agriculture resource.
Just a quick highlight of the activities of the Agribusiness Society of the University of West Indies (UWI) for those of you that aren’t a part of the society. One of our main aims, is to provide practical exposure to students of the University who are reading for a degree in any agri-related field. This field activity centers on a visit to the Trinidad and Tobago Agribusiness Association’s (TTABA) Agricultural Research Center with a focus on Rabbit Production. In addition the students were exposed to the process of Organic Composting and innovative added value products namely Pommecythere Juice. You can see these pictures, join or interact with our group at http://www.facebook.com/groups/abs.uwi/ or simply complete a name search to find us. See you there!
I am Keron Bascombe, a young professional in agriculture seeking a career in agricultural journalism and communications.
As a budding agri-blogger, I hold great enthusiasm for social media, with huge passion for agriculture, simply because I understand the importance of food. Provision of agri- information is what I do!
For details about the blog see the About section above.
You can email me at keronbascombe@gmail.com or send me a tweet at @wiscobasco
Albert Campi
from student for students
bridging community development and technology
