BSTA Conference 2015 – “Vinasse” as a Soil Amendment

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Vinasse is a product of distillation of the beer (fermented Molasses-cane juice) for alcohol production. It is an aqueous effluent with suspended solids and is largely composed of water, organic matter and minerals elements. Vinasse can be a valuable organic fertilizer (mostly replacing potassium), as well as an important source of water replacement on the soil. Is it suitable as a fertilizer and soil amendment in Barbados?

By: Cesar A. Guerrero, Eng
Mount Gay Dist. – Consultant
Vinasse as a Soil Amendment

BSTA Conference 2015 – Towards a Marketable Sized Sweet Potato

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A determination of the effect of single- and double-row planting on the yield of four sweet potato cultivars and to quantify economic feasibility of double-row planting of sweet potato as a production method within the BAMC setting.

By: Jacklyn Broomes and Anderson Eversley, BAMC

Towards a Marketable Sized Sweet Potato

BSTA Conference 2015 – Sweet Potato Processing

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The first presentation entitled “Sweet Potato Processing” was delivered by Mr. Richard Armstrong of ARMAG Farms, St. Philip, Barbados. In his presentation, Mr. Armstrong gave an overview of his sweet potato processing plant where healthy fries are produced. He also gave an indication of the challenges currently being faced in this innovative operation in Barbados.

Sweet Potato Processing – Richard Armstrong

“Barbados Society of Technologists in Agriculture Annual Technical Conference 2015”

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On February 7th, 2015 at the Barbados Yacht Club, the BSTA hosted its annual technical  conference under the theme, “Going forward in agriculture – Innovative “out-of-the-box” solutions”. A total of ten (10) presentations were made on various topics, ranging from the processing of sweet potato into value-added products to the use of “vinasse” as a soil fertilizer and conditioner, among other very interesting topics.

This year’s conference was well attended and was thoroughly enjoyed by all. A tribute was made by the BSTA president, Mrs. Marcia Marville, to the dearly departed Mr. Keith Laurie, whose presence was sorely missed.

 

Producing our own food

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Prime Minister Thompson announced recently that his government would be placing major emphasis on controlling the cost of living. An important part of that cost , since we all have to eat, is the cost of food. The Prime Minister noted that we must all “put our shoulders to the wheel” or as we agriculturalists would say “put our hands to the plough”. Up to now, most emphasis has been placed on supermarkets and what they must do to contribute to this effort. But as a nation ,we must all change our ways of doing things to ensure that we are as efficient and effective as we possibly can. Continue reading →