In this article:
Project – Response. #Climate #Heat #Sour Sop
Description of the Event
Date when the trigger was met
12-05-2024
What happened, where and when?
On May 10, 2024, in response to the prevailing dry season affecting Grenada, Prime Minister Hon. Dickon Mitchell convened a meeting of the National Emergency Advisory Council (NEAC). The meeting addressed the urgent need to implement measures to conserve water resources and mitigate the impact of a dry spell on communities. As an outcome of the meeting, the National Water and Sewerage Authority (NAWASA) took decisive action in response to the water scarcity. The Government of Grenada officially declared a water crisis due to an acute shortage of water resources.
A difficult year for production:
A Challenging Year for Soursop Production: Lessons from Grenada’s 2024 Drought
Soursop fruit, like all plant life, is the result of a delicate process combining sunlight, heat, and carbon dioxide to produce glucose. This year, however, Grenada’s soursop industry faced an unprecedented challenge due to the severe drought of 2024. In this article, we reflect on the impact of the drought, its effects on farmers and aggregators, and the key lessons learned that can help safeguard future production.
The Impact of the 2024 Drought
The drought severely affected Grenadian farmers who rely heavily on soursop as their primary source of income. With low water availability, many families struggled as crop yields fell drastically. Aggregators, who manage large contracts for soursop exports, faced added pressure to meet their obligations despite the limited supply, forcing them to seek alternative solutions.
Lessons Learned by SPA
At SPA, we’ve always focused on innovative solutions for agricultural challenges, and the 2024 drought was no exception. Here are the key lessons we learned:
- Efficient Irrigation is Critical
Drip irrigation systems, which precisely deliver water to the root zone, proved to be an essential tool for managing scarce water resources. This method reduces water waste, making it indispensable during periods of drought. - Managing Soil Moisture is Key
The health of the root system is directly linked to the moisture levels in the soil. Maintaining a consistent moisture layer around the root zone became a priority to support plant resilience during extreme weather conditions. - Addressing Heat Stress in Plants
Just like humans and animals, plants experience stress in hot environments. One crucial lesson learned was the importance of providing stressed plants with calcium, much like how humans need magnesium during times of stress. Proper nutrition helps plants withstand extreme conditions better.
SPA’s Response and Initiatives
In response to the drought, SPA initiated several projects to assist our members. Thanks to support from CARDI through project writing and grant applications, we were able to supply association members with much-needed drip irrigation systems.
Drip irrigation is especially effective for trees, particularly when combined with a layer of bagasse mulch. This mulch helps retain soil moisture and prevent water evaporation. To ensure the mulch is free from pests and insects, we treat the bagasse using heat sterilization techniques.
How We Produce Our Bagasse Mulch
At SPA, we produce our own bagasse mulch, which undergoes sterilization in our heat-treatment facility to ensure its safety and effectiveness. We invite you to visit our farm to see how we create our mulch, or contact us if you’d like to purchase it for your own crops.
Pricing:
- For non-members: USD 12.00 per bag
- For association members: USD 4.00 per bag
Contact Us:
+ 1 473 520 3000
Requirement and Need:
Agriculture Shredding machine :
