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Procurement and distribution of agricultural lime to farmers is an important activity of UBEC aimed at supporting sustainable development of the agricultural sector.
The Caribbean Blue Economy Unleashing Program (UBEC), in partnership with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, is continuing its sub-projects to strengthen food security and increase the resilience of the agricultural sector. The latest initiative in the support program is the ongoing distribution of agricultural lime, which began in Odessan on July 30, 2024 to farmers in Regions 7 and 8. The benefit of lime is that it improves overall soil quality and nutrient absorption.
The procurement and distribution of agricultural lime to farmers is an important activity of UBEC to support sustainable development of the agricultural sector. Mr. George Alcee, Crop Technical Officer of UBEC PIU further explained the benefits of using agricultural lime.
“Soils become slightly too acidic over time, and long-term, high-volume use of nitrogen fertilizers can accelerate this process. Acidic soils allow more toxic elements to dissolve and become more readily available to plants, hampering the availability and uptake of soil/plant nutrients needed for plant growth and optimal production. In this regard, the use of agricultural lime can balance the benefits and potential drawbacks of continued use of nitrogen fertilizers. Agricultural lime maximizes the performance of soil nutrients by increasing their availability to plants and their interactions with each other. It also improves soil structure and the overall environment in which soil organisms live, which is beneficial to plant growth.”
In February 2024, UBEC, together with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development, distributed 39,000 bags of fertilizer to farmers. The efficient use of fertilizers provides farmers with multiple benefits, including increased crop yields, improved soil fertility, increased plant resistance to pests and diseases, and adaptability to a wide range of crops. However, one of the major side effects of the long-term and intensive use of nitrogen fertilizers is that it leads to increased soil acidity. Therefore, the use of agricultural lime is intended to restore optimal soil structure and composition.
The project is currently supporting farmers through a farm worker program that provides them with much-needed land preparation and crop management capabilities. In the coming months, UBEC will also procure and distribute herbicides, pesticides and other agricultural products to help farmers with efficient crop management, and hopes to expand shade farming through the construction and rehabilitation of several greenhouses across the island. The project will also carry out several drainage projects on farms in various communities to assist with flood control.
The Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Youth Economy, through the UBEC project, continues to work closely with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Rural Development to improve food security, enhance the resilience of the agricultural sector and provide direct relief to farmers to help them recover from natural disasters, climate change impacts and global economic shocks.
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