56 agricultural stakeholders strengthen vegetable production skills through FAO practical training in the Commonwealth of Dominica

Practical training is helping farmers in the Commonwealth of Dominica adopt smarter

irrigation and nutrient management practices to improve productivity and build resilience

A group of 56 farmers, extension officers and other agricultural professionals in the Commonwealth of Dominica strengthened their capacity to improve vegetable production through more efficient irrigation, fertigation and nutrient management during a practical training programme led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Blue and Green Economy.

Held on 2 June 2026 at the One Mile Agricultural Station in Portsmouth, the training on Integrated Crop Management: Improving Crop Performance through Irrigation, Fertigation and Nutrient Management brought together 29 women and 27 men from farming communities, government agencies and organizations supporting the agricultural sector.

The training formed part of the FAO project, “Improving livelihoods through diversified high-value vegetable crop production in selected agroclimatic zones”, which is helping farmers adopt improved production technologies through demonstration plots featuring open-field cultivation, optimized greenhouse systems and anti-insect net houses, together with improved irrigation and fertigation practices.

In addition, a total of 16 demonstration sites are being established to showcase technologies and management practices suited to different production environments.

These sites will serve as practical learning hubs for farmers and extension officers while promoting higher productivity, more efficient resource use and improved

livelihoods.

The training led by Mr. Marcko Theodoracopoulos, FAO Horticulture Specialist and Anne Desrochers, Plant Production and Protection Specialist, focused on techniques that farmers and agricultural technicians can immediately apply to improve crop performance while making more efficient use of water and nutrients, while improving soil conservation practices.

Participants learnt how to install and maintain drip irrigation systems, prepare, mix and apply soluble fertilizers, and develop fertigation schedules based on crop growth stages and field conditions. An important component of the training was the proper use and calibration of Venturi fertilizer injectors- cost-effective, low-maintenance devices that use water pressure to draw fertilizer solution into an irrigation system.

Through technical presentations, live demonstrations and guided exercises, participants also explored practical solutions to common field challenges such as clogged irrigation lines, uneven water distribution, fertilizer mixing problems and the need to adjust irrigation and fertigation schedules according to changing crop requirements.

Ms. Anne Desrochers, FAO Plant Production and Protection Specialist and Lead Technical Officer, highlighted the importance of connecting technical training with the investments being made at beneficiary farms. She stated, “The project is not only providing irrigation, fertigation and protected-cultivation technologies. It is also ensuring that farmers and national technicians have the practical knowledge required to operate these systems effectively and make sound decisions based on crop stage, soil and field conditions. This combination of appropriate technology and strengthened technical capacity is essential for improving productivity, using water and fertilizers more efficiently, and building more resilient vegetable-production systems in Dominica.”

Ms. Joanne Williams, Extension Officer for the West Agricultural Region, explained how she intends to apply and share the knowledge gained through the training. “This training provided me with valuable new knowledge that I can apply in the field and share with the schools and farmers I support, particularly to help them reduce production costs while improving profitability,” she said.

Mr. Jeffrey Bruney, farmer and entrepreneur at Kubuli Farms, also emphasized the value of introducing farmers to new technologies and approaches. “This training was essential because it introduced farmers to new fertilizers and production systems, helping us to use these technologies effectively, apply the knowledge at our own farms and share it with other farmers,” he said.

The training workshop formed part of a broader FAO technical mission conducted from 1 to 5 June 2026, during which the FAO technical team and national counterparts visited beneficiary demonstration sites across Dominica after the training. The team assessed the readiness for the installation of irrigation and fertigation systems along with covered land preparation, water access, drainage, field layout and the proposed placement of irrigation and fertigation infrastructure. The visits also helped identify outstanding site preparation and material requirements while informing the scheduling of installation works.

FAO remains committed to working alongside the Ministry of Agriculture to build a more sustainable, climate-resilient and market-oriented vegetable sector through capacity development, appropriate technologies and strong partnerships with farming communities.