Project News

At the end of July, the Project held its 12th joint training session for all the groups supported by the Project. One of the themes selected for the training session was "growing crops in a greenhouse", which is a subject that is gaining interest among many of the groups. A field trip was made to an well-developed greenhouse.

This greenhouse is located at an elevation of 600meters and grows organic coriander. (July 28, 2010, Sora District, Panama Province)

Greenhouses are an effective method for overcoming the seasonal restrictions affecting crop production. (In Panama, crops grown outdoors may rot from humidity during the rainy season, here the greenhouse is used more to control humidity than temperature.) They are also beneficial in producing high yields in a small area, which can reduce the pressure on land caused by extensive agriculture. On the other hand, the challenges of greenhouse farming are to secure water for irrigation and the necessary laborers, likewise to produce enough profit to cover the cost of greenhouse construction and maintenance.

The fresh coriander is also exported to the United States. (Same as above)Participants pay attention to the explanation being given. (Same as above)

The participants had many questions, such as the construction method and the material used in the greenhouse, its maintenance, crop fertilization, irrigation and drainage, coriander pests and diseases, laborers needed for greenhouse farming, and market development. The words of the greenhouse farmer, who had also started as a small-scale farmer himself, were a convincing testimony to the participants. It strengthened their motivation, and many participants seemed to be thinking, "if we work hard we can improve our greenhouse, too."

(Mr. Taku Mori, Farmland Use Plan / Environmental Education)