To enhance the skills and knowledge of Research officers of the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) a two day seminar was organized on the importance of macro and micro soil nutrients in the production of vegetables and root crops.
The seminar was conducted at the Koronivia Research Station (KRS) by Professor Anabella Tulin, a soil scientist from the Philippines who is currently based at the University of the South Pacific (USP) Alafua Campus in Samoa.
Professor Tulin presented on integrated soil and crop nutrient management for sustainable agricultural production, and the research on selected root crops like yams, cassava, taro and sweet potato.
She used her research trials data from root crops and vegetables to explain to the participants on importance of 13 essential nutrients required in plant growth and development and also elaborated on how absence of one element affects the development of plant and familiarised participant to the possible symptoms due to deficiency of particular nutrients.
“Both Fiji and Philippines have the same landscape and tropical weather with similar crops and vegetables and it will be easy for Fiji to adopt the crop production techniques used in Philippines.
“There is a need to train some Extension staff together with crop farmers to improve the soil resources and crop production in Fiji,” she said.
She also emphasized on vegetable production, establishment of nutrient deficiency syndrome, measure and trials, how to prevent soil erosion by using contouring and introducing some innovations from Philippines to Fiji.