Beating Back the Bugs: Greenhouse Management in the DR

Those who enjoy authentic Indian food might have recently noticed
a lack of spice in some of their favorite dishes. A staple of Indian cuisine, Capsicum annuum, more commonly known as
the green chili pepper, has all but disappeared from U.S. supermarkets
following a March ban on produce imports from the Dominican Republic.  The DR has recently been infested by Mediterranean
fruit flies — a ravenous pest that has destroyed billions of dollars in
agricultural products around the world.  The impact
on the DR's agriculture has been devastating and immediate. Local markets are now
flooded with product, and prices have crashed well below profitable levels.

Enter Farmer-to-Farmer volunteer Brian Upchurch, a private
farm owner from North Carolina with expertise in greenhouse management.  At the end of May, Mr. Upchurch traveled to assess and evaluate current
greenhouse operations and practices of the Jarabacoa Cluster of vegetable
farmers in Jarabacoa, La Vega, in the DR. After
completing farm inspections and making recommendations, he gave presentations
to farmers and agricultural technicians on an additional pest, the thrip insect,
which was also encountered during every farm visit.  He covered the basics of the thrip life
cycle, damage to vegetable crops, and methods of control with emphasis on cost,
effectiveness, worker safety, and environmental concerns. Mr. Upchurch also introduced the
4 different methods of plant propagation, and gave a more detailed presentation of
‘rooting plant cuttings’ as the primary method for commercial nurseries’
propagation in the United States and Europe.

In addition, it was important that Mr. Upchurch paid particular
attention to the conservation of natural resources, including soil and water
management, and the sustainability of these resources. Like all farmers around
the world, those in the Dominican Republic face uncertainty in the future.
Changing climate, financial challenges, and political and social issues have affected
and will continue to affect resources and markets available to these farmers. The usual high demand for green peppers
and tomatoes led to poor crop rotation because
there was no demand for alternate crops.  This contributes to disease and insect
pressure.

While there are real and significant challenges facing the
Jarabacoa Cluster, there are also opportunities. Mr. Upchurch recommended that more pressure be applied to the USDA and the DR equivalent to eradicate
the pest issues while they are in early stages. 
While curry lovers may miss their spices, the Dominican farmers are missing
their export market even more.  There are a
few solutions being considered- one includes CSA (Community Supported Agriculture)
type programs in urban areas. Farms could offer weekly deliveries to
restaurants and retail consumers. Partnering with other producers such as fruit,
flower, beef, pork, or chicken producers would provide more variety and options. This
concept has become very successful in the United States, even in smaller towns
and surrounding communities. 

Mr. Upchurch described the Jarabacoa Cluster as “a core group of
growers that understand the needs, strengths, and challenges of the Cluster.
They also seem willing to provide time and effort into growing the organization.”  While they work to adapt to their present
problems, Famer-to-Farmer volunteers like Brian Upchurch will continue to assist
their counterparts to come up with solutions together.

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