Date: Fri 15-Oct-1993
Paper Page: 8
Publication: Weekend Nation / Supplement

WITH the preservation of the environment being of paramount importance to the
whole world, and people eating healthier foods, most prefer vegetables that
have not been sprayed with pesticides.

The Barbados Agriculture Society (BAS), with funding from the United Nations
Development Project (UNDP), has set up a hydroponics food production project at
its headquarters, Beckles Road, St. Michael.

Hydroponics vegetables are not grown in soil but a nutrient solution.

Dr. Litta Paul-Rajh, who works with the hydroponics project, said she is
required to evaluate ten crops. At present, there are several demonstration
gardens at BAS successfully producing lettuce, eggplant, sweet peppers,
Chinese cabbage, zucchini, parsley, tomatoes, finger squash and bitter gourd.

While several growing mediums may be used, she recommends river sand (the type
used for construction) and/or a combination of sand and other material such as
shredded coconut husk and bagasse. River sand is more readily available; sand
from off the beach cannot be used since it contains so much salt.

The growing medium must support the plant's roots and at the same time, retain
moisture and permit roots to breathe.

Dr. Rajh said the hydroponics method has many benefits:

• Nutrient solution is not recycled so there are less chances of disease
  spreading.
• Through the capillary action the solution is evenly distributed through the
  root zone.
• Good root aeration is maintained.
• Nutrient imbalance chances are less.
• Water retention in sand is high.
• Pest and diseases can be easily controlled.
• It is inexpensive.

"You are using the maximum -- your wastage is less but you are producing
more," she added.

As part of the project, the society is required to spread pass the word about
hydroponics food production to the committee. Raj said she has selected four
schools and four farmers under the programme and the schools have already set
up units.