SUNDAY 11 AUGUST 2019 – UWI TODAY
7
FOOD
Farmers like Azir, the Popalies and Romona deal
with unpredictable risks all the time. Pathogen and pest
management however, are factors they can manage and
perhaps, Biophyt 1.0 can not only help increase their yields,
but also be a healthier alternative in the long run.
FARMER’S CHALLENGES
Apart from the UWI-developed bio-agent, the
workshop also addressed several issues affecting farmers.
Dr Saravanakumar noted that when surveyed, 34 per cent
of farmers indicated that the high cost of inputs were an
impediment. 20 per cent said that there was poor access to
roads. 18 per cent indicated that production was challenged
by pests and diseases. Other prohibitive factors included
praedial larceny and market prices.
In his presentation, Dr Saravanakumar explained the
proper use of pesticides. Instinctively, he said, we think that
increasing pesticides will kill more pathogens. However, the
pathogens develop resistance and more harmful pesticides
go into the soil and into the water, leading to toxicity. The
solution would be to ban registration of harmful pesticides
and to develop alternatives.
The feasibility of using the healthier alternative Biophyt
1.0 was met with skepticism, “Monsanto just lost two
billion-dollar lawsuits and we are still selling Roundup,” a
farmer commented. Roundup is a popular herbicide used
for decades which according to the Guardian UK, Bayer
now produces since they acquired agrochemical company
Monsanto. The company is facing more than 9,000 lawsuits
across the US frommostly former gardeners and agricultural
workers who believe that Roundup exposure caused their
cancer.
Dr Saravanakumar’s response was measured, stating
that when we take national decisions we cannot take them
based on a court action as some court actions are later
overturned. We take national decisions based on scientific
findings.
He also noted that Small Island Developing States
(SIDS) may not have the economic wherewithal to do all
the scientific investigation for significant enough findings
to declare pesticides as hazards. But while we cannot
pull existing pesticides from shelves, we can reduce the
reliance and dependence on pesticides by developing viable
alternatives.
BETTER PRACTICES
In engaging with the farmers and fielding their
questions, Dr Saravanakumar attempted to counteract poor
cultural practices while affirming some of the traditional
Biophyt 1.0, a biological alternative to hazardous pesticides
developed by UWI’s Faculty of Food and Agriculture (FFA).
folk knowledge of the farming community. “It is important
to not only get quality labour on a farm, but also to know
why you do what you do,” he said.
He encouraged the planting of botanicals or flowering
plants like marigolds alongside the crops as this attracts
beneficial insects and helps to control pests. This resonated
with the audience. A farmer shared that one should plant
African and French marigolds in particular and “this is
why some of the older generation plant ‘Stinking Suzie’ in
their garden.”
He spoke of covering irrigated soil with a plastic sheet
for six weeks to raise the temperature, trap the heat, and in
so doing kill pathogens which would have been dormant
under the soil but developing strong structures.
He also advised farmers to avoid sprinkler irrigation
at night as the increased humidity will lead to leaf wetness
and increased pathogens.
Some of the poor cultural practices of farmers were
identified in the workshop as well by research assistant
Augustus Thomas, another representative from the FFA.
These included using dosages of pesticide beyond the
stipulated levels, mixing more than one chemical together,
applying the pesticide at closer intervals than recommended,
and using tractors onmultiple farms whereby pathogens can
be transferred from infected fields.
Beyond one-on-one outreach, this initiative of
the UWI is a part of a larger project spanning 18 countries
and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United
Nations (FAO). This integrated pest management project
includes looking at the life cycle of pesticides, triple rinsing
containers, removing and destroying obsolete pesticides
from the region, training inspectors, generating funding
and raising public awareness.
Initiatives like these protect farmers like Romona and
Azir. They take us one step closer towards safer food for all.
Farmer Romona
Branche speaks
to workshop
attendees.
Augustus Thomas
addresses the
audience.
