Benefits of Veggies

Health Benefits of Vegetables

People who eat fruit and vegetables as part of an overall healthy diet generally have a reduced risk of many chronic diseases.

Vegetables are important sources of many nutrients, including potassium, fiber, folate (folic acid) and vitamins A, E and C. Options like broccoli, spinach,tomatoes and garlic provide additional benefits!

Potassium may help to maintain healthy blood pressure. Dietary fiber from vegetables helps reduce blood cholesterol levels and may lower risk of heart disease.

Folate (folic acid) helps the body form healthy red blood cells. Women of childbearing age who may become pregnant and those in the first trimester of pregnancy need adequate folate to reduce the risk of neural tube defects and spina bifida during fetal development.

Eating Vegetables Provides Health Benefits

• The nutrients in vegetables are vital for health and maintenance of your body.
• Eating a diet rich in vegetables may reduce risk for stroke, cancer, heart diseases and type-2 diabetes.
• One to four cups of vegetables are recommended each day, depending on how many calories you need.

(http://www.healthyeating.org/healthy-eating/all-star-foods/vegetables.aspx)

Where it Begins

www.agriculturesnetwork.org

Cultivating an interest from the earliest age, ensure an appreciate that last a lifetime.

Food for Thought

It's not just what you eat, it's how you eat

Healthy eating is about more than the food on your plate—it is also about how you think about food. Healthy eating habits can be learned and it is important to slow down and think about food as nourishment rather than just something to gulp down in between meetings or on the way to pick up the kids.

• Eat with others whenever possible. Eating with other people has numerous social and emotional benefits—particularly for children—and allows you to model healthy eating habits. Eating in front of the TV or computer often leads to mindless overeating.
• Take time to chew your food and enjoy mealtimes. Chew your food slowly, savoring every bite. We tend to rush though our meals, forgetting to actually taste the flavors and feel the textures of our food. Reconnect with the joy of eating.
• Listen to your body. Ask yourself if you are really hungry, or have a glass of water to see if you are thirsty instead of hungry. During a meal, stop eating before you feel full. It actually takes a few minutes for your brain to tell your body that it has had enough food, so eat slowly.
• Eat breakfast, and eat smaller meals throughout the day. A healthy breakfast can jumpstart your metabolism, and eating small, healthy meals throughout the day (rather than the standard three large meals) keeps your energy up and your metabolism going.

www.drpbody.com

• Avoid eating at night. Try to eat dinner earlier in the day and then fast for 14-16 hours until breakfast the next morning. Early studies suggest that this simple dietary adjustment—eating only when you’re most active and giving your digestive system a long break each day—may help to regulate weight. After-dinner snacks tend to be high in fat and calories so are best avoided, anyway.

(http://www.helpguide.org/life/healthy_eating_diet.htm)

Growing Tomatoes - Container Gardening

www.organicgardening.com

In an earlier post, the joys and benefits of container gardening was outlined. Today we will take a brief view of growing tomatoes in containers.

Tomatoes are one of my favourite veggies to eat with almost everything. besides being a juicy and delightfully sweet, they are a healthy choice for any and everyone.

Benefits

1. Provide Vitamin A, B6, C, K, folate and potassium
2. Provide thiamin, niacin, magnesium, phosphorous and copper
3. Low in sodium, saturated fat, cholesterol and calories
4. Provides protection againg high blood pressure, high cholesterol, strokes and heart disease
5. High water conten which makes them a filling food
6. Natural Cancer fighter
7. Makes the skin look great
8. Beta-carotene helps protect skin against sun damage
9. Builds strong bones. The VK and calcium in tomates are good for strengthening and repairing bones. Lycopene in tomatoes helps to improve bone mass which is a great way to fight osteoporosis.

Vertical Gardening

www.tomcorsonknowles.com

What is

Vertical gardening is a gardening technique that utilizes various resources to allow plants to extend upward rather than grow along the surface of the garden.

What can be grownCucumbers, bell pepper, beans and tomato plants

What can be usedPoles, wires, stalks, trellis

Ideal location

a location with plenty of natural sunlight, rich soil, and a nearby water source

Important Tips

1. A simple wire cylinder known as a tomato cage works very well. The structure makes it possible to train the plants as they grow to wrap around the wires, providing the stalks with additional support for the heavier produce. Because the plants are supported by a horizontal structure, it is much easier to harvest the produce.
2. Along with running pole beans up a stake or trellis, it is also possible to make use of corn stalks. Since the stalks tend to be strong, the vines of the bean plants can be allowed to run up the stalks, effectively utilizing the same garden space to produce two different types of vegetables.
3. Have a shed or nearby storage area for all tools necessary to train creeping plants upward, such as a selection of trellises, stakes, and cages of different sizes. 
4. Use twine to tie vines in place as they run up and around the vertical support system  Standard gardening equipment, such as hoes, fertilizing equipment, and work gloves are also good additions to the contents of the vertical gardening shed.

With limited space, having a vertical garden is ideal

(http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-vertical-gardening.htm)

ECTAD

partners.cta.int

What is?

ECTAD is The Eastern Caribbean Trading and Agriculture Organisation. It is a registered non-profit, non governmental farmers based rural development organisation that was launched in 1995

Mission

Its Mission is to improve the quality of life for rural farm families throughout St. Vincent and the Grenadines and the Caribbean. ECTAD has over 20 volunteer coordinators and over 500 members covering North and South Leeward, North and South Windward and Marriaqua.

Main Fields of Activities

1. Training
2. Production Planning,
3. Group Leadership and Development
4. Good Agriculture Practices
5. Marketing (Local and Overseas),
6. Information and Communication (e.g. Manuals and Newsletters)
7. Technical Support for local cooperation and regional integration of farmers’ groups
8. Youth and Women Development
9. General rural development (village clean-ups, disaster preparation, HIV awareness activities etc). These activities are carried out by village groups based on their needs

ECTAD Shipment Boxes

Marketing

ECTAD does not burden itself with paid staff. All activities finance themselves.  One such   activity is marketing. The marketing pays for itself by ensuring a cost management system from farm to market. This also involves grading and packaging for shipping and distribution. 

A key produce that is currently exported is dasheen/taro. Using the boxes indicated at right. Such levels of branding allows the organisation visibility and its own corner of the niche market.

Dasheen Structure

Some of the Uses

Dasheen/Taro in St. Vincent and the Grenadines

database.prota.org

What is?

Dasheen/Taro belongs to the roots and tuber family of crops. It is largely cultivated in tropical climates and best grown on watery lands which results in higher yields, better weed control and allows for out of season production. The maturation takes place at 9 months but crops can be harvested at 7 months. 

Why Dasheen Production?

With the Banana Industry in a state of steady decline, small farmers, particularly in St. Vincent and the Grenadines have turned to dasheen production for their economic survival. The Eastern Caribbean Trading and Agricutlure Organisation (ECTAD) had been a key player in this move. It continues to build capacity amongst small farmers and serves as a intermediary between farmers and the market, ensuring that farmers get the maximum price for their crops.

Main Production Areas

The main dasheen production areas in St. Vincent and the Grenadines are Greiggs, Richland Park and South River.

What we eat

www.supercoolfoodblog.com

Dasheen, along with other roots and tuber crops has long been a stable in West Indian cuisine. It can be used to made a number of delicacies. The leaves, known locally as 'Callaloo" are also a speciality.

Onions

I fell madly in love with onions after venturing to Subway. Starved, I indulged in the quickest veggie I could get at the moment. Hence my love affair began

Benefits

1. The phytochemicals in onions improve the working of Vitamin C in the body, thus gifting you with improved immunity.
2. Onions contain chromium, which assists in regulating blood sugar.
3. Onions have been used to reduce inflammation and heal infections.
4. Raw onion encourages the production of good cholesterol (HDL), thus keeping your heart healthy.
5. A powerful compound called quercetin in onions is known to play a significant role in preventing cancer.
6. Apply onion juice on the area for immediate relief from the pain and burning sensation.
7. Onions scavenge free radicals, thereby reducing your risk of developing gastric ulcers.
8. Those bright green tops of green onions are rich in Vitamin A, so do use them often.

(http://www.care2.com/greenliving/8-great-reasons-to-eat-more-onions.html)
(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdQz0blbesI)

Conveying the Message

The channel of communication a message can be as important as the message itself. 

Means/methods

1. Face-to-face
2. telephone/mobile
3. Radio
4. Television
5. Print media - newspapers, magazines, etc
6. internet - email, blogs, web cams, website, video conferencing

Why Communicate

1. Have something to say
2. To deliver message
3. To reach a specific audience

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m2upjBWRrfU)

Images of Agriculture

Efficiency At Work

lgalaviz.blogspot.com

The Workday always seems long and tedious. Time never seems enough. Here are a few tips to making progress.

At The Desk

1. Arrange your office space and desk in a manner that matches your working style. 
2. Utilize only one calendar or electronic scheduling device and one notepad. Efficiency at work includes clearing the clutter from your desk and only having visible those things that you use daily. 
3. Create a filing system that is clear and organized, and always keep those documents and items that you use daily close at hand.

 Elsewhere

1. Make sure that you have the supplies and tools needed to make your job easier
2. Organize your day by creating a "to do" list if you want to work efficiently. Begin with the priorities of the day so that they are more likely to get done. The less important tasks can end the list. 
3. Create a time frame and deadline for your most important projects, and be realistic about the length of time they will take. DON'T SET YOURSELF UP TO FAIL
4. Lighten your work load by delegating to those who assist you. Just remember to follow up with the assistant and give him/her a deadline also. 
5. Avoid distraction by screening your calls, and minimizing drop-in meetings. An effective work schedule means that you try to schedule everything so that you complete the necessary tasks of the day. 

CANROP

www.rootcapital.org

What is?

The Caribbean Network of Rural Women Producers (CANROP), is a non-profit umbrella organisation that embraces national chapters of rural women's associations in the Caribbean. It was Launched in 1999.

Why?

To create a single entity of already existing associations of rural women producers

to equip women with technical, administrative and entrepenerial skills as a means to improving their socio-economic status and create employment in the rural ares in which they live.

Mission

To empower rural women to improve their standard of living. This is done through training, cultural exchanges, networking and promoting inter- and in intra-regional trade. It facilitates access to specialized credit, seeks to create sustainable employment opportunities and undertakes advocacy to sensitize society.

Affiliates

Barbados, Grenada, Guyana, Jamaica, St. Lucia, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago and St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

The Network is a member of the Alliance for Sustainable Development of Agriculture and the Rural Milieu (The Alliance) and is supported by the Offices of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in the Caribbean.

(http://www.agricarib.org/caribbean-network-rural-women-producers-canrop)

EDDOEs

instantpot.com

What they are?

Eddoes are circular root vegetable that bares resemblance to a yam or sweet potato. Originally a product of Asia, eddoes have found their way into multiple cuisines, such as Caribbean, Chinese and Indian.

 Knowing the nutrient content of eddoes will better help you find a place for them in your diet. They are most commonly baked, boiled, fried and roasted.

Carbohydrate Content

Protein

Fat

Fiber

Calories and Sodium

Vitamins and Minerals

Root vegetables are notorious for being high in carbs, and eddoes are no exception. One cup of cooked eddoes contains 28 grams of carbs. This macronutrient helps boost energy levels and promotes brain function. The recommended daily intake of carbs for adults is 45 to 65 percent of total calories.

Protein is used for cell regeneration and muscle growth. In contrast to carbs, eddoes have a low amount of protein. Once cup contains only 2 grams. The daily recommended intake of this macronutrient is 46 grams a day for women 19 to 70 years old and 56 grams for men 19 to 70 years old.

Doctors advise people to watch their fat intake, especially saturated and trans fats. The daily recommendation for total fat is 25 to 35 percent of total calories. Saturated fat should be limited to 7 percent or less and trans fat should be kept under 1 percent. Eddoes have zero grams of saturated and trans fat.

Dietary fiber is beneficial and creates a feeling of fullness so you eat less. Fiber also helps keep cholesterol levels under control. Eddoes have a high fiber content. One cup of cooked eddoes contains 4 grams. Men 50 years of age or younger should aim for 38 grams of fiber per day, and men over 51 should get at least 30 grams. Women 50 years of age or younger should get 25 grams, and women over 51 should aim for 21 grams.

A high intake of sodium is known to cause water retention, which raises the risk for high blood pressure. When consumed in regulated amounts, sodium is beneficial to the body. The daily recommendation for this mineral is 2,400 milligrams, or 1,500 milligrams for people with high blood pressure. A cup of cooked eddoes contains only 11 milligrams of sodium. The calories in an eddoe are similar to a regular yam. One cup contains just over 115 calories. Most of these calories come from carbs, which have 4 calories per gram.

Eddoes contain small amounts of several vitamins and minerals. A 1-cup serving has 8 percent of the recommended daily intake of vitamin C, 4 percent of calcium, 2 percent of vitamin A and 3 percent of iron. The recommended daily intake for vitamin C is 75 milligrams for women 19 years and older, and 90 milligrams for men in this same age group. Adults 19 to 50 years old should get 1,000 milligrams of calcium a day. However, women over 50 should up this amount to 1,200 milligrams. Males aged 14 and older should get 900 micrograms of vitamin A, and females in this age group should get 700 micrograms per day. Lastly, both men and women should get at least 15 milligrams of iron daily.

(http://healthyeating.sfgate.com/nutritional-value-eddoes-1936.html)

Praedial Larceny

What is?

Praedial larceny is the theft or vandalism of agricultural good/produce or livestock from a farmer, farm or estate. It is gut wrenching, that the hard work of farmers count for nought as thieves illegally reap their harvest.

Who is affected?

1. Everyone - Farmers, Farm families, Agricultural Sector, the entire countries economy

Managing?

 

Praedial larceny cannot be prevented but measure can be put in place to cut back on the number of incidents

1. Farm police
2. Community watchdog
3. Use of electronic laser fencing which would alert farmers via their phones whenever there is and intrusion on their property.
4. GPS monitoring system to monitor farming areas as well as the tagging of produce and livestock to aid in tracking if stolen.
5. Stiffer penalties for those caught stealing, inclusive jail time

(legacy.guardian.co.tt)

Opening Ceremony of ARDYIS Web 2.0 Training and Exchange Workshop

On Saturday 27th July, 2013, The official opening ceremony for the ARDYIS Web 2.0 Training and Exchange Workshop was held at the UWI Solution Center beginning at 7pm.Hon. James Paul, Chief Execuetive Office of Barbados Agricultural Society (BAS) chaired the evening session. Dr. Cleve Scott, Workshop Coordinated gave a brief introduction to the Workshop. 

Remarks were made by the Caribbean Farmers Network CaFAN Chief Coordinator, Mr. Jethro Greene who stressed the importance of youths involvement in the leadership drive of agriculture for the new generation. Mr. Ralph Farnum, Acting Chief Agriculture Officer, Ministry of Agriculture also stressed the importance of youth involvement and encourage participant to use the technologies available to their advantage. Honourable Ronald Jones, Minister of Education, Science, Technology and Innovation kept all present entertained with his style of delivery. He stressed the importance of technology in agriculture and stated that youths must find be at the forefront of change. 

 

Vote oft thanks was delivered by Ms Sustang Fergus of the CaFAN Secretariat.