Agriculture General Services
Abattoir Services
(i) Services provided by the St. Kitts Abattoir:
1) Slaughtering
- Pigs
- Cattle – Bull, Cow, Steer
- Sheep
- Goat
2) Cutting
- Pig
- Cattle
- Sheep
- Goat
3) Deboning
- Cattle
Carcasses are delivered to the public market from the Abattoir for the traders for free.
Deboned meat is also delivered to various businesses places for free.
(ii) The services provided by the St. Kitts abattoir are accessible to the general public.
(iii) The entire general public who uses the services of the Abattoir benefits on two ways: Firstly, the services provided are subsidized by the government and secondly in terms of health, the public can be feel safe knowing that there are both anti-mortem and postmortem inspection done at the abattoir.
(iv) The fees for the services are as follows:
Slaughter
- Cattle $60.00
- Pig $20.00
- Sheep $10.00
- Goat $10.00
Cutting
- Cattle $50.00 Normal $60.00 Dice
- Pig $15.00 Normal $20.00 Dice
- Sheep $10.00Normal $15.00 Dice
- Goat $10.00 Normal $15.00 Dice
Deboning
- Cattle $60.00
(vi) When someone brings an animal to the abattoir it is given an identification mark and a bill is given to the person which would reflect the services that are required. The individual is expected to produce the receipt when they come to collect their meat. Bills must be settled at the Department’s main office at La Guerite (5 minutes drive from the abattoir which is at Lime Kiln, Basseterre).
Ambulatory Services
Ambulatory Services is a primary function of the Veterinary Unit, it is done on a daily basis and it involves going onto farms to assist in the veterinary care of all food animals.
It’s a service which the Government provides almost free of cost to farmers with very little being paid for some medications.
The service also caters for emergency cases on weekends and after working hours.
A Porto-vet is provided by the Department and is used to carry out this duty.
Accessibility of Services:
This service has been provided for a number of years and all farmers are aware of it. Telephone calls are made to the office on a regular basis.
When farmers encounter any problem with their animals, they also call the Veterinarians personal numbers and meet them face-to-face. Other members of the livestock sector are also contacted if they are in close proximity.
Benefits:
It provides food for the general public from all categories of farming which includes poultry, pigs, ruminants and rabbits. In return some farmers make a living from what they produce which goes a long way in providing for their families.
Fees
The fee for the service is minimal and is subsidized by the government. Charges are made on certain drugs and in cases of surgeries.
Forms available
There is a registration form for farmers so as to create some awareness of numbers, location and size of farms etc.
Information is recorded in a book then transformed to a data- base.
Step by step Process
- Famer calls office.
- Gives name, location, telephone number, species, problem with animal and a time and place when both farmer and vet can meet.
- Vet visits farm.
- Carries out operation/ treatment etc.
- Recorded in book >data base.
- Revisit if necessary.
Artificial Insemination (A.I.) is the introduction of semen into the female reproductive tract for the purpose of impregnating the female by using means other than natural insemination.
The use of artificial insemination (A.I.) in farm animals dates back centuries ago, with applications mainly in cattle and horses. Presently, the technique is also used in breeding swine, sheep, goats, dogs, various poultry and many exotic animals.
Currently we have untaken the task of conducting (A.I) in goats. We are using genetic material from two superior breeds: these are the Anglo Nubian which originated in the United Kingdom, and Boer from North Carolina, USA.
The advantages of Artificial Insemination include:
- It facilitates use of outstanding sires.
- It helps to prevent the spread of venereal disease.
- Producers can utilize genetics from a superior sire that they could otherwise not afford.
- It reduces inbreeding.
- Improved herd management.
Disadvantages of Artificial Insemination include:
- Initial cost of A.I. equipment.
- Increased labor for heat detection and insemination.
- Specialized training of inseminators due to anatomical constraints of the goat.
- Lack of standardized packaging and quality control of goat semen.
Successful insemination of the goat requires the breeder to have an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of reproductive system in goats. Breeders must also be aware of the various components of an A.I. program, if the herd is to be handled effectively and efficiently.
Objectives:
The objectives of this (A.I) service are:
- Review small ruminant breeding and reproduction programmes that are applicable in the federation.
- Populate the federation with this new genetic stock, so that the farmers can make a valuable contribution to food security whilst maintaining their flocks.
- Provide theoretical and hands-on training in estrus synchronization methodology in goats.
- Provide hands-on training in artificial insemination techniques and procedures for goats.
Review the advantages and disadvantages of AI and the logistics and financing involved in establishing and implementing a national AI programme in the respective countries
Commonly Used Synchronization Programs
It is possible to artificially manipulate the reproductive cycle of the goat, this is called estrus synchronization. Estrus synchronization together with artificial insemination can be used as a labor saving tool by coordinating breeding, kidding and weaning, to take advantage of superior genetics, to maximize seasonal forage production and to take advantage of higher market prices. Females selected for an A.I. program should be in good health, have a body condition score of 2.5 to 3 and be “flushed” or placed on an improved plane of nutrition for at least 2 weeks before breeding. Does that are too thin, i.e. with a body condition score of 1 and 2 may fail to conceive, have low twinning rates and produce small nonviable kids.
Drugs used in estrus synchronization
There are several drugs that can be used to manipulate the reproductive cycle of the goat. We will discuss the drugs and protocols that can be used or are most applicable to the local situation.
Progesterone’s
These are steroid hormones that in the female are produced by the corpus luteum (CL) and placenta. Progesterone’s suppress estrus, ovulation and estrus behavior. External sources of progesterone include Controlled Internal Drug Releasing Device (CIDR) containing the hormone, progesterone soaked vaginal pesseries, progesterone.
Conclusion:
This artificial insemination service will be running for the next six months to a year this service will allow the farmers to improve the dress weight of the animals in less time.
The project also assisted in strengthened inter-regional collaboration on sustainable small ruminant development to achieve better advocacy, networking, partnership and information and knowledge sharing and transfer. Increase in awareness of small ruminant breeding and reproduction practices and systems that are applicable to the Caribbean. Whilst increasing knowledge management and information dissemination for the benefit of small ruminant farmers and other stakeholders. Draft local strategy for small ruminant breeding to support the development of the sector, increased trade in small ruminant genetic material across the region and establishment of a Caribbean network of expertise in small ruminant development.
Brief Description of the Service
Land preparation typically involves harrowing; leveling, raking and the ploughing of fields to make it suitable for crop establishment.Tillage must be done in a way that will assure adequate protection of soil and water resources. A good soil surface will prevent crust formation and allow rapid rainfall penetration.
How accessible is the service
The service is accessible to the farming community as long as the applicant has official contract to the parcel of land whether by private or government issued rental contracts.
Who is able to benefit from this service?
All farmers, schools and backyard gardens once the tractor and its implements is able to maneuver on the parcel of land without any difficulties.
Are there fees to use these services?
Currently the cost of the land preparation service to the farming community is $150.00 XCD/ hour. The minimum fee collected for the service is $75.00 XCD for a half hour of work.
Forms available for use of service
Currently there is no official form that is use to request the service.
Step-by-step process for services
The applicant for the service comes to the Department of Agriculture and pay for the required amount of time/service they would like to receive, the applicant name, parcel location, contact number, date, and receipt number is collected and recorded on a log sheet. The log sheet is collected on a daily basis by the supervisor of the unit and the applicant(s) are contacted as to when the tractor will be working in the area designated for the service on that given day. The supervisor will contact with the operator(s) of the tractor(s) to notify them of the number of applicants, the name of the applicants, location of the parcel and the amount of time paid for the service.
Relief from primate pest damage
Brief Description of Sale of selected farming inputs
The sale of selected farming inputs mainly involves major inputs that would impact on crop and livestock production in a timely manner. These items are sold to the farming community at reduce or low percentage mark up as to try and keep the production cost as low as possible so the consumer and country benefits from high quality fresh produce and meat.
How accessible is the service
The service is accessible to the farming community where it’s a householder, farmer, school garden etc.
Who is able to benefit from this service?
All farmers, schools and backyard gardens that do farming in any form will benefit from the service.
Are there fees to use these services?
Currently the cost of the farming inputs are at reduced or minimal cost for the sustainability of the service.
Forms available for use of service
Currently there is no official form that is use to request the service.
Step-by-step process for services
The applicant for the service comes to the Department of Agriculture and purchase the item(s) they want to use to conduct their faming activity. The applicant is issued a receipt and delivery slip then proceed to collect their goods, they then give the receipt and delivery slip to the person who is dispensing the goods. The dispenser will collect both papers and record the receipt number and keep the delivery slip and dispense the relevant good(s) to the applicant.
Sale of selected farming inputs (feed, fertilizer, pesticides, plastic mulch, seeds, fencing material, medication)
Department of Agriculture
Farming Inputs 2016
SEEDS
| Type | Variety | Size | Price | Availability |
| Corn | Sugar Jean | 500gms | $75.00 | |
| Beet | Detriot Red | 500gms | $48.00 | |
| Lettuce | Tropical Emperor | $85.00 | ||
| Lettuce | Eden | 10gms | $10.00 | |
| Lettuce | Batavia Minetto | 5gms | ||
| Broccoli | Chief | 10g | $47.00 | |
| Broccoli | Green King | 10g | $32.00 | out |
| Broccoli | F1 Tasmania | 1000sds | $25.00 | |
| Cabbage | Caribbean Queen | 5,000 | $54.00 | |
| Cabbage | Oxylus | 5,00 | $83.00 | |
| Cabbage | Copenhaguen Market | $15.00 | ||
| Cabbage | F1 Greenster | $15.00 | ||
| Carrot | Danvers | 1/4lb | $60.00 | |
| Carrot | Juliana | 50,000 | $60.00 | |
| Carrot | Kuroda | 500g | $75.00 | |
| Carrot | Kuroda | 100g | $25.00 | out |
| Carrot | Chantenay Red Core | 100g | $25.00 | out |
| Cauliflower | Farmer Extra Early | 10g | $15.00 | |
| Cauliflower | Snow White | 10g | $32.00 | |
| Cucumber | F1 Decathlon Cans | 2,000 | $60.00 | out |
| Cucumber | F1 Cherokee | 2,000SDS | $135.00 | |
| Cucumber | Marketer | 100gms | $20.00 | out |
| Celery | Tall Utah | 10gms | $10.00 | out |
| Okra | Clemson Spineless | 100gms | $10.00 | |
| Onion | H9, H202, HA 944 | 500gms | $170.00 | |
| Onion | Mercedes | 100,000 | $480.00 | |
| Parsley | Plain Single | 1/4lb | $12.00 | out |
| Peanuts | $450.00 | out | ||
| String Bean | Strike | $20.00 | ||
| Sweet Pepper | Aristole | 1,000 | $285.00 | |
| Sweet Pepper | F1 Titan Packet | 100 sds | $10.00 | |
| Sweet Pepper | F1 Titan Packet | 1,000 | $35.00 | |
| Sweet Pepper | F1 Golden Prince | 1,000 | $35.00 | out |
| Sweet Pepper | F1 Golden Prince | 100 sds | $10.00 | |
| Sweet Pepper | F1 Thetys Packet | 100 sds | $10.00 | |
| Sweet Pepper | F1 Thetys Packet | 1,000 | $35.00 | |
| Sweet Pepper | California Wonder | $42.00 | ||
| Squash | Canesi | 3000 sds | $230.00 | |
| Tomato | Floradade | 1/4lb | $60.00 | |
| Tomato | HA 3080 | 10gm | $170.00 | |
| Tomato | HA 3057 | 10gm | $170.00 | |
| Tomato | HA 3091 | 10gm | $170.00 | |
| Tomato | Adonis | 1,000 | $330.00 | |
| Tomato | F1 TX 65 | 1,000sds | $190.00 | |
| Tomato | Heatmaster | 1,000 | $150.00 | |
| Watermelon | Crimson Sweet | 100gms | $30.00 | |
| Watermelon | F1 Artemis Packet | 1,000 | $460.00 | |
| Honey Dew | Green Flesh | 1/4lb | $25.00 | out |
| Hot Pepper | F1 Red Fire | 5gms | $35.00 | |
| Hot Pepper | West Indian | 1,000 | $32.00 | |
| Hot Pepper | F1 Yellow Dragon | 5gms | $35.00 | |
| Zucchini | Grey Zucchini | 100gms | $20.00 | |
| Zucchini | Black Beauty | 100gms | $20.00 |
FERTILIZER
| Type | Kg | Price | Availability |
| NPK | 110lbs | $75.00 | |
| NPK | 5lbs | $4.00 | |
| Sulphate | 110lbs | $60.00 | |
| Sulphate | 5lbs | $5.00 | |
| Urea | 110lbs | $120.00 | Out |
| Urea | 5lbs | $5.00 | Out |
| String | $88.00 | Out | |
| Calmax | $20.00 | Out | |
| Calmax | $30.00 | Out | |
| ———– | ——– | ———– | ——– |
INSECTICIDES
| Type | Kg | Price | Availability |
| Caprid | 500ml | $75.00 | |
| Cure | 60ml | $50.00 | |
| Cure | 100ml | $68.00 | |
| Diazinon | 500ml | $20.00 | |
| Diazinon | 1 litre | $40.00 | Out |
| Xentari | 200g | $21.00 | |
| Phoenix | 50g | $102.00 | |
| Malathion | litre | $24.00 | |
| Lannate | 100g | $25.00 | |
| Pirate | 250ml | $165.00 | |
| New Mectin | 250ml | $138.00 | |
| Protector | 250ml | $50.00 | |
| Karate | 250ml | $40.00 | |
| Karate | 1 litre | $135.00 |
HERBICIDES
| Type | Kg | Price | Availability |
| Caparol 4L | 500ml | $26.00 | |
| Caparol 4L | 2.5gal | $160.00 | |
| Cadre | 500ml | $174.00 | |
| Goal | 500ml | $72.00 | |
| Gramaxone | 1 litre | $40.00 | |
| Gramaxone | 5 litre | $180.00 | |
| Herbadox/Prowl | 250ml | $20.00 | |
| Karmex/Duiron | 100ml | $7.00 | |
| Prowl | 250ml | $30.00 | |
| Prowl | 3.5 litre | $47.00 | |
| Glyfos | 4 litre | $85.00 | |
| Mapcid | 1 litre | $132.00 | |
| Mapcid | |||
| ADJUVANT | |||
| PH Plus | 500ml | $24.00 | |
| Ph Plus | 1 litre | $42.00 |
FUNGICIDES
| Type | Kg | Price |
| Acrobat | 375gm | $64.00 |
| Bellis | 50g | $33.00 |
| Coback | 300g | $12.00 |
| Coback | 200g | $10.00 |
| Manzate | 200g | $9.00 |
| Phyton | 500ml | $72.00 |
| Phyton | 1 Litre | $126.00 |
| Biolife | 1 Litre | $126.00 |
SOLUBLE FERTILIZER
| Type | Kg | Price |
| Cytokin | 500ml | $55.00 |
| Bonus | $30.00 |
PHEROMONE
| Type | Kg | Price |
| Sweet Potato Weevil Pheromone | $15.00 |
PROTECTIVE GEAR
| Type | Kg | Price |
| Respirators | $120.00 | |
| Catridges | pair | $27.00 |
PLANTING MATERIAL
| Type | Kg | Price |
| Seeder | $240.00 |
IRRIGATION MATERIALS
| Type | Kg | Price |
| Drip Lines | 12″ | $600.00 |
| Drip Lines | 24″ | $500.00 |
| Drip Lines | 18″ | $520.00 |
| Drip Lines | 48″ | $311.00 |
| Sub-main | $170.00 | |
| Shut off valves | $5.00 | |
| Connectors | $5.00 |
FENCING MATERIALS
| Type | Variety | Kg | Price |
| Fish Pot Wire | small | $370.00 | |
| Fish Pot Wire | large | $734.00 | |
| Hog Wire | 330×4 | $400.00 | |
| Poles | $15.00 |
WEED CONTROL
| Type | Kg | Price |
| Plastic Mulch | 4,000sq ft | $530.00 |
Brief Description of the Service
Once harvested, fruits and vegetables must be stored under proper conditions, the most important of which are temperature and humidity. Each fruit or vegetable has its own ideal set of conditions at which it will store most successfully for the maximum length of time. These conditions can be classified into four groups:
- Vegetables which require cold & moist conditions
- Vegetables which require cool & moist conditions
- Vegetables which require cold & dry conditions
Storage of produce
There are 2 chills at the Department each with a capacity of two thousand six hundred cubic feet. And 3 others in the Public Market with a capacity of twelve hundred cubic feet each
How accessible is the service
The service is accessible to the farming community where it’s a householder, farmer, school garden etc.
Who is able to benefit from this service?
All farmers, schools and backyard gardens that do farming in any form will benefit from the service.
Are there fees to use these services?
Currently there is no fee for the use of the storage of produce in the chills
Forms available for use of service
Currently there is no official form that is use to request the service.
Step-by-step process for services
The farmers when have excess produce will bring to the Department of Agriculture or one of its outpost where this facility can be obtained to put in storage. The produce is log into a log sheet and labeled with the famer name and placed into storage until the farmer can find a relevant market or the marketing unit can assist the farmer with the sales of their produce.
Brief Description of the Service
Extension is the process whereby the extension staff tries to motivate and empower the farmer. The farmer gets encouragement, help and ideas to solve problem(s). Extension deals with a range of problems relating to a primary source, for instance, agriculture, health or engineering, rural development on the other hand takes in not only agriculture, but all factors or sources which will contribute to the development of that individual within a given environment.
How accessible is the service
The service is accessible to the farming community where it’s a householder, farmer, school garden etc.
Who is able to benefit from this service?
All farmers, schools and backyard gardens that do farming in any form will benefit from the service.
Are there fees to use these services?
There is no fees attached to provide extension service, the extension staff is paid from government allocations as part of the outreach programme to assist agriculture development.
Forms available for use of service
Currently there is no official form that is use to request the service.
Step-by-step process for services
They are three extension districts to service the farming community, with two outreach centers and supporting units such as quarantine, engineering and communication. The officers make weekly visits to the farmers in their various districts to consult and advise the farmers of the various problems they maybe encountering at the given time.