Finding Solutions
Shi Chuntai (third left) introduces vegetable growing technology to teachers and students in a local agricultural school Januario dos Remos Barreto is a vegetable farmer in São Tomé and Príncipe. His hard work and dedication are all geared toward the harvest season. Although he has high expectations every year, due to the impact of pests and harsh climatic conditions, production often falls short. In São Tomé and Príncipe many farmers like Barreto, when struck by misfortune, are helpless in the face of crop losses.
Vegetable production plays an important role in the development of São Tomé and Príncipe’s agricultural economy. Over 1.7 percent of the tiny island country’s arable land - about 800 hectares - is used for vegetable farming. Over the years, vegetable production has received broad government support, in addition to being boosted by market demand and international assistance. As a result, the country’s dependence on vegetable imports is decreasing annually.
However, productivity remains low and barely meets the country’s domestic demand. The price of vegetables is high, especially on Príncipe Island. Out of season, a single pepper costs 20 dobras (about $1) and 50 dobras ($2.5) for a head of cabbage.
In order to help the country increase agricultural productivity, gradually achieve self-sufficiency, and improve local living standards, China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs established a high-level expert group on agriculture and livestock to São Tomé and Príncipe, at the invitation of the country’s government.
On April 12, Shi Chuntai, a 52-year-old vegetable expert and a member of the expert group, set foot in São Tomé and Príncipe.
This was not his first time to work in Africa. From 2012 to 2014, he was posted in Angola by the Agriculture and Animal Husbandry Department of northwest China’s Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, where he carried out agricultural projects. “I really like the simple lifestyle of the African people. At the same time, I have a deep attachment to Africa. This time, I can use my professional skills to improve vegetable growing in São Tomé and Príncipe,” Shi told ChinAfrica. “It’s very meaningful and it makes me happy.”
As part of his work in the Yanchi County Agricultural and Animal Husbandry Bureau in Ningxia, Shi has taken part in several agricultural aid projects organized by international organizations such as the World Food Program, the International Fund for Agricultural Development, the Global Environment Facility and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.This experience was to be very handy in his new posting.
Getting the facts
Once in São Tomé and Príncipe, Shi conducted a thorough field investigation of local vegetable production. He quickly noticed several issues. First, lacking modern agricultural technology, local people mainly use traditional cultivation methods, featuring extensive farming, in agricultural production, resulting in low production quality. Secondly, pests and diseases are a real problem, which seriously reduces vegetable yield and quality. Finally, the heavy rainy season severely impacts on the growth of vegetables, especially leafy ones. In addition, the lack of irrigation facilities also brings problems during the dry season.
“Greenhouses are the most effective way to reduce pests and diseases, mitigate the impact of storms, increase yield and improve production quality,” said Shi.
After his investigation, Shi discovered that the UN had previously built eight top-quality greenhouses for vegetable production on the island, covering about 6,400 square meters. However, due to its high construction costs, this type of greenhouse failed to become popular with farmers.
Shi had his work cut out for him: he had to find a way to build greenhouses cheap enough to be affordable, but of high enough quality to prevent losses caused by insects and storms.
Meeting the challenge
The Chinese expert group established its main pilot vegetable base at the São Tomé and Príncipe Academy of Agricultural Sciences. There, after meeting with Baltarzar Varela from the academy, Shi discovered a greenhouse metal frame that had been abandoned for many years in the courtyard. This was an exciting discovery and he decided to use this metal frame to build new greenhouses.
However, the lack of equipment was among the biggest challenges. Normally, building a greenhouse is quite easy - if all equipment and tools are readily available. But without these, Shi had to come up with new ways to attach the frame together, lay the insect screens and install the greenhouse doors. Lu Yangming, chief of the agricultural expert group, Xie Huidong, deputy chief and translator, and other colleagues joined Shi in his project. With the help of local workers, they fixed the greenhouse frame using wire. Chinese companies on the island also helped with the insect screen and by the end of July, after only a month of work, a greenhouse entirely covered by an insect screen finally saw the light of day.
The seeds of hope
“Due to its simple construction, this type of greenhouse can help prevent natural disasters, and increase productivity and yield,” said Shi. In addition, the construction of such greenhouses is perfectly suited to local climatic conditions, as well as to the economic development level of São Tomé and Príncipe. Its frame can be built using wood or bamboo, materials that are easily found and affordable on the island. The bulk investment lies in the film covering the greenhouse and the insect screen. According to Shi, these two materials, which cost about $221, cover an area of about 8 meters × 30 meters for each greenhouse and can be used for three to five years. The cost of construction is thus within the reach of most farmers. In addition, the size of this greenhouse can be adjusted as needed, making it suitable to both large- and small-scale farmers.
Wang Wei, Chinese Ambassador to São Tomé and Príncipe, and several local officials visited the greenhouse several times, attesting to its benefits. Satisfied with the results, the local government invited Shi to help spread the use of greenhouses in the area.
Barreto was also convinced. He decided to improve his own greenhouse by following the advice of the expert group. He said he is now confident that his greenhouse will help increase future yields.
“I plan to improve the structure and build two more greenhouses. At the same time, I will strive to develop new techniques for vegetable farming and crop management,” he said.
Shi, for his part, said he wanted to continue to popularize techniques of vegetable farming and greenhouse construction with the support of the local government.
**Comments to [email protected]
Constructing a greenhouseDue to its simple construction, this type of greenhouse can help prevent natural disasters, and increase productivity and yield.
SHI CHUNTAI Chinese agricultural expert