Overcoming the Constraints of Tropical Tomato Production Through Shade Netting and Other Methods

Project Overview

FW08-008
Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2008: $13,578.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2010
Region: Western
State: Federated States of Micronesia
Principal Investigator:
Robert Bishop
Email

Annual Reports

Commodities

  • Vegetables: tomatoes

Practices

  • Education and Training: demonstration, farmer to farmer, on-farm/ranch research
  • Production Systems: general crop production

    Proposal summary:

    Palau farmers are eager to fill the island’s high demand for tomatoes, but most attempted methods have failed because of the excessive heat and wind, calcium deficiency, heavy rains, fruit flies and other climatic setbacks.

    Robert Bishop will use this Farmer/Rancher Grant to experiment with shade netting, which could provide an economically viable method for tropical farmers to fill consumer demand for tomatoes and fill shortages from shipping delays and spoilage. His crop will be drip irrigated and protected with the shade netting on all sides. The netting is expected to regulate sun, rain, pest exposure and many other growing constraints that local growers face.

    A photo journal will be kept and reproduced for those interested. Also, on-site tours, a pamphlet and poster presentation will share the successes or failures of the project.

    Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the view of the U.S. Department of Agriculture or SARE.