Local farmers undergo training in broccoli and cauliflower production

Organized by the Extension Division of the Ministry of Agriculture and held at the PDO building on Joseph’s Road, the training was conducted by technicians of the Long Ping Agricultural project underway here in Antigua and Barbuda.

“We are trying to increase the production of these crops, especially broccoli as we noticed that because it is largely imported, the price on the local market is ‘quite high’. We feel that if we are able to beef up production that would in time bring down the cost of the item on the supermarket shelves,” Chief Extension Officer, Owolabi Elabanjo stated.

He added that this concern rises to the level of the prime minister who has indicated that he would wish to see farmers shift or expand their production to include broccoli.

“The Chinese company – Long Ping – has demonstrated that broccoli can be successfully grown here and the workshop was the division’s way to transfer the knowledge and know-how from the Chinese to local farmers,” he added.

The workshop covered all aspects of the production, management and the selection of all varieties of the crop. Seedlings were handed out to the attendees and as part of the training they were given a tour of the Chinese-run farm at Greencastle where broccoli is already in production.