BASSETERRE St. Kitts, January 18th, 2012 -- Senior Minister of Agriculture has congratulated farmers on their improved performance in 2011 compared to 2010. “Despite several constraints our farmers continue to consistently produce more food, thereby helping us to advance on our journey for food security and nutrition” Dr Harris said on Freedom FM Radio.
Dr Harris revealed that Food Crop production increased by 4% from 1,100 metric tonnes to 1,200 metric tonnes during 2011 when compared with 2010 (Table 1).
This resulted from increases in acreage planted as well as improved agronomic practices, increased productivity and increased number of persons involved with crop production. Cabbage production increased by 60 % from 36,500 kg to 58,300 kg. Onion production was increased by 105 % from 32,600 kg to 66,900 kg.
Marked increase were also recorded for pineapple from 136,000 kg to 160,700 kg or an increase of 18 %. Sweet pepper from 22,600 kg to 29,600 kg or an increase of 30 %, white potato from 73,400 kg to 162,200 kg or an increase of 120 % and yam from 26,600 kg to 37,000 kg an increase of 39 %.
Marginal increased was recorded for sweet potato, production increased from 198,400 kg to 207, 000 kg an increase of 4 %.
However, there was a decrease in production in carrot from 139,600 kg to 132,500 kg or a decrease by 5 %, peanut a decrease in production from 56,500 kg to 53,200 kg or a decrease by 6 %, pumpkin a decrease in production from 200,900 kg to 137,100 kg or a decrease by 32 %, watermelon a decrease in production from 125,000 kg to 58,100 kg a decrease in production by 54%.
Marginal decreased was recorded for tomato, production decreased from 118,900 kg to 115,400 kg a decrease of 3 %.
A decreased in the acreage planted in these crops could have contributed to the decreased productionTable 1.
Estimated annual production of major food crops for St. Kitts (‘000kg)
Crop 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011
Cabbage 82 87 60 54 81 61 44 36.5 58.3
Carrot 104 82 67 71 80 172 133 139.6 132.5
Onion 28 17 9 19 22 51 82 32.6 66.9
S. Pepper 33 40 22 30 32 27 26 22.6 29.6
Tomato 119 114 85 132 141 117 85 118.9 115.4
W. Potato 100 120 88 110 126 239 200 73.4 162.2
Peanut 30 32 25 56 86 43 35 56.5 53.2
Pumpkin - - - - 149 96.9 122 200.9 137.1
Pineapple 10 15 14 53 60 69 100 136.0 160.7
Watermelon 101 90 83 127 100 64 126 125.0 58.1
Yam 21 16 20 14 15 18 18 26.6 37.0
S. Potato - - - - 192.7 197 230 198.4 207
1,167 1,218
MT MT
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