FAQ

Q: What is irrigation in agriculture? 

A: Irrigation in agriculture refers to the controlled application of water through man-made system. These systems are particularly designed to solve the problem of crop watering in non-rained or low-rained areas. Water is required by the plant to facilitate the upward movement of nutrients. Water around the plants also lowers the temperature in the area. Some irrigation systems for agriculture practices are drip, furrow, flood, gravity, sprinkler, sub-irrigation and center-pivot irrigation. 

Q: What are the steps in agriculture?

A: The steps for growing crops are:

• Crop selection
• Preparing the land
• Selecting the seeds
• Sowing
• Manure and fertilizer application
• Irrigation
• Intercultural activites 
• Management of pest and disease 
• Harvesting
• Post harvest management
• Sales of produce

Q: What are the factors that affect crop production? 

A: The crop production cycle depends on two factors, that is, both external and internal factors. The internal factors refer to the generic capabilites of the seed and the desirable characteristics for proper production are:

• Excellent yielding ability
• Early maturity 
• Resistance to diseases 
• Tolerance to drought and pests
• Good chemical composition
• Tolerant to soil pH level

The external factors that influence the growth of the crops are: 

• Climate factors 
• Edaphic factors: soil moisture, organic matter
• Biotic factors: plants and animals
• Physiographic: exposure to lights and wind, slope/steepness, altitude
• Socio-economic factors: choice of crops, availability of labour. 

Q:What are some of the problems farmers faces in Trinidad and Tobago? 

A: Some of the challenges farmers in T&T faces are:

• Land rights uncertainty
• Lack of access to capital
• Farm theft or praedial larceny 
• low competitiveness 
• Climate change and natural disasters
• Small size of market
• Lack of infrastructure 

Q: What is crop rotation? 

A: The method of growing different types of crops in the same area during sequence seasion is called crop rotation. This is done mainly to prevent soil erosion due to mono-cropping.

Q: What is difference between transplanting and sowing? 

A: The term 'sowing' is used when seeds are sown directly into the prepared area or nursery pots or bags. Sowing seeds need a different soil condition and environment for proper germination. While 'transplanting' is used when seedlings from the nursery are moved into the main farming area or final growing area.

Q: What crops can be directly seeded and what should be transplanted? 

A: Basically, crops such as corn, peas, squash, watermelon are grown by direct seeding. Small seeded vegetables such as tomatoes, eggplants, pepper, fruit plants, ornamental plants, coconut are cultivated using transplant. Vegetables such as cabbage and lettuce are grown either direct seeding or transplant. 

Q: Could I replace fertilizers for compost?

A: No, the biggest difference between fertilizer and compost is that while compost enhances the soil to create a beneficial environment for plants, fertilizer feeds plants. Fertilizer applications target the needs of plants to help them grow faster. If a plant is lacking micro- and macronutrients, such as calcium, magnesium, potassium or phosphorus, adding fertilizer provides a quick and easy solution to alleviate deficiencies.

Q: What are some modern farming method? 

A: Some modern farming methods are:

• Aeroponics systems
• Aquaponics system
• Hydroponics system
• Monoculture system
• Vertical farming
• Hybrid seed technology

Q: What are the advantage of modern technology farming? 

A: Some advantages are: 

• Increased production
• Enchance productivity
• High quality of produce
• Improve storage and reduced wastage
• Protecting the crops from damage of all sorts
• Improve the socioeconomics status of farmers
• Contributes to the economy of the country

Q: What is hybrid crops? 

A: A hybrid crop is a result of two different varieties of plant are cross-pollinated to create an off-spring or hybrid, that contains the best traits of each of the parents. In hybridization, pollination is carefully controlled to ensure that the right plants are crossed to achieve the desired combination of characteristics, such as bigger size or better disease resistance. The process of developing a hybrid typically requires many years. In general, hybrids offer some combination of these favorable traits: dependability, less required care, early maturity, higher yield, improved flavor, specific plant size, and/or better disease resistance.