BONSAI

DEMONSTRATION PILOT PROJECT

(A PROJECT UNDER THE YOUNG FARMERS PROGRAMME OF THE MINISRTY OF AGRICULTURE FISHERIES & THE ENVIRONMENT)

“Urban Agriculture:

Charting the Course through Youth Initiatives!”

Reginald Oliver Severin

Manager Young Farmers Programme

(Agri- Business Development Specialist)

About the Bonsai Pilot Project

Success - The Organic Vegetable and Flower Garden, is a horticulture based industry / business built on the production of organic vegetables e.g. tomatoes, lettuce, sweet peppers, cauliflower and broccoli; exotic plants and flowers and a specialty in the production of "BONSAI”.

  Success tends to enhance and improve the agricultural industry in Dominica towards a more scientific, business, and value-added prospective and the marketing of our nature island by means of its excellent agricultural products such as the national flower.

Success will implement a change by means of consultation in the awareness of the wonderful scientific agriculture arena amongst young persons; not only as an industry but as a joyful livelihood which produces a good financial return.

Success tends to address the dire need for more - healthier eating habits, and a more nature friendly based industry.  Many persons young and old especially women crave for flowers for beautification of the interior of their homes, surroundings and gardens.  Tourists on the other hand appreciate the beauty of the national flower and flamboyant and enjoy the unique garden environment and opportunity to interact with Dominica’s Young Farmers.

A new innovative twist has been improvised and introduced in flower production.  The “common everyday” sights and use of flowers has been changed.  Success now introduces the entire region into the diversity, quality, and specialty in “the world” of flowers.  Rare exotic plants / flowers including ‘BONSAI’ will give customers a new exciting fresh-hold into the magical radiant world of exquisite flowers and their many uses.

Flowers can be and are used for beautification, gifts and decorative purposes and also help to regulate and enhance the flow of oxygen and carbon dioxide in a room or given area. The energy flow in terms of ones emotional status or mood can also be altered by the use of flowers.  The availability of “BONSAI” which is unique and also a premiere in flower production in Dominica will be a booming seller to customers.

Success will create a vegetable and scenic flower garden in the heart of the city, where tours will be given to groups, tourists, schools, and locals at an affordable, reasonable fee. During tours various unique plants not common to our native island will be showcased, “BONSAI” being one of the main highlights.  Customers will be exposed to lush healthy organic vegetables and a scenic world of diverse flowers of color and grandeur. 

In addition to the above stated services consultations to customers and persons who need sound advice for a given crop, plant or any matter relating to the growth and development of the products sold will be given. 

Success lies in a busy commercial hub and supplies over eighteen restaurants in the city including Garraway and Fort Young Hotel.  The dependency upon Success by these business places for fresh produce everyday is an added plus for more production in quality and quantity. 

With the above factors Success hopes to expand its services to other Caribbean countries by employing the latest techniques in “substrate type” and packaging.  Success is a leading agribusiness, being the ‘premiere’ and “only” business of its kind in the heart of the City of Roseau (i.e. greenhouse farming in an urban setting[1]). 

Success has improved its business with a fully equipped greenhouse consisting of modern irrigation and fertigation systems (organic fertilizer injectors, artificial substrate, timers, PH, EC, / SC, PPM / TDS meter and hangers) and has invested approximately thirty-three thousand dollars (ECD33,000) to develop its business. Twenty-three thousand dollars (ECD 23,000) of the investment capital form part of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and the Environment Agricultural Diversification Programme under the Young Farmers Programme Demonstration Pilot Projects.

As a demonstration project, Success will make the optimal use of land resources for agricultural production based on Organic Farming principles with the aim of supplying a wide range of vegetables, flowers and ornamental plants to the local and international public. Through the project, youth participation in agriculture and the potential of developing commercial agriculture as a full-time occupation while creating a model for integrating food production, agriculture promotion, youth energy and Agri-tourism.

About the Youth Agri-entrepreneurs

The agri-entrepreneurs, Mr. Linford Bastien and Ms. Erica Joseph will use their experience, training and love for agriculture to demonstrate the potential for successful enterprising in agriculture in an urban setting. Linford Bastien possesses both the theoretical and practical knowledge in plant propagation (tissue culture) horticulture.

In addition Linford Bastien has done numerous field studies and research in plant growth and management such as Plant Root Zone Management, DNA coding and numerous experiments involving acclimatization of plants and the effects of substrate type in relation to PH, EC, and fertigation.  Bastien possesses the passion and skill in nursing and nurturing plants, whether in an understudy or greenhouse condition.

Theoretical knowledge is infertile without practical knowledge. Bastien has worked for a number of years in St. Martin in plant propagation, growing plants and acclimatizing them to suite this hot tropical type climate. The scientific methods use and employed cannot be booked learnt; but only through experience.  The preparation of a suited given substrate to accommodate a given plant has to be considered by its PH, EC, nitrogen and carbon content.  The scientific technique to alter the DNA neutrons impulses of any give plants is a given asset and ability.  The uniqueness to a plant goes beyond its cell built color to the very vibration that is emitted from them.  Bastien has the knowledge and skill to nurse and infected plant after close examination of that plant, and becoming “one” with it.

Plants biology is beyond visual reality but goes as deep as the soul’s vibration. The healing of a diseased plant goes beyond science but stops at one’s soul vibration, “feeling and hearing” the plant’s problems. Oneness with nature goes beyond science.  Bastien has worked in Dominica in seven greenhouses, growing and acclimatizing plants not grown in our tropical climate. 

In addition Bastien has done various business management programs to assist him in the smooth running of his business.  In addition he has received a Plant Specialist Award on March 2^nd 2005.  Advance scientific experiments were also done in substrate type, and tissue in relation to multiple growth.  As a means of mentorship Bastien has acquainted himself with those more verse in this arena e.g. Dr. Howard Fagan, and Mr. Forge.  Bastien therefore, is the plant grower and manager of Success.

Erica Joseph holds the position as assistant manager and secretary. At present Joseph holds a diploma of distinction in Computers in Modern Management, a diploma of distinction in Private Secretarial Duties, a merited diploma is Tourism and Travel Agency Management.