The
Demo Farm Mission
The
GARDC occupies five acres of land at the Gilbert Estate. The
purpose of the farm is:
To develop a Demonstration Farm that will serve the Region
(particularly the OECS) and provide a place for practical
hands-on training in Good Agricultural Practices(GAP) and
sustainable practices that protect our natural resources,
thus assisting the Nation in food security and poverty alleviation.
The
main objectives of the farm are:
To train and demonstrate the use of sustainable agricultural
technologies and processes that protect and enhance the
environment and at the same time to provide training in
entrepreneurial skills in agriculture for young people.
- To
provide resources, inputs and information on the development
and use of agro ecological practices, including
organic farming for crop and livestock systems, soil and
water stewardship, biopesticide usage, composting, use of
green manure crops and cover crops and fertility management.
-
To promote, and demonstrate the use of small farm equipment
and light tools for women.
- To
operate a self-sustaining income generating projects on
the farm.
- To
promote the demonstration farm as a farm tourism site.
- In
order to achieve the Demonstration Farm's objectives the
Center has established strong linkages with national, regional
and international partners to access funding and technical
assistance. These objectives will be achieved through the
use
of a number of technologies and activities i.e.
 Demonstrating
the use of two wheeled tractors for secondary tillage and
inter-row cultivation, eliminating energy
inefficient large four wheeled tractors which often compact
the soil.
- Use
of hand powered equipment, including hand seeders, wheel
hoes, flame torches for weed control.
|
