KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent and the Grenadines — Farmers, students and aspiring agri-entrepreneurs in St. Vincent and the Grenadines now have access to a new training and demonstration facility designed to showcase modern hydroponic farming techniques that can increase vegetable production while using fewer natural resources.
The innovative Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) hydroponic system has been established at the Orange Hill Agricultural Station through a partnership between the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture. The project is intended to strengthen local food production, improve technical skills, and help farmers adapt to the growing challenges posed by climate change.
Unlike traditional farming methods, NFT hydroponics grows crops without soil by allowing a thin stream of nutrient-rich water to circulate continuously around plant roots. The technology significantly reduces water and fertilizer use while creating ideal growing conditions for crops such as lettuce and other leafy vegetables.
Officials say the facility is more than just a production site. It has been designed as a practical learning centre where Ministry technicians, farmers, students and young entrepreneurs can receive hands-on training in protected agriculture and hydroponic crop production.
Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture, Colville King, said climate change continues to place increasing pressure on the country’s agricultural sector, making it essential to invest in production systems that maximize limited resources while strengthening domestic food production.
The hydroponic system operates inside a specially constructed greenhouse that was designed to withstand strong winds while providing a controlled environment for crop production. Solar energy will also be incorporated into the facility to lower operating costs and support environmentally sustainable farming practices.
According to FAO officials, the initiative is also aimed at helping farmers produce vegetables that better meet market demand, particularly within the country’s expanding tourism industry. By improving quality, consistency and production efficiency, producers could become more competitive in higher-value markets.
The installation formed part of a nine-day FAO technical mission carried out under the project Building Effective Public-Private Partnerships for Production and Marketing of Sustainable Agricultural Products.
The outreach concluded with a comprehensive training programme focused on nutrient management in hydroponic systems. Participants received classroom instruction and practical demonstrations on preparing fertilizer solutions and managing nutrients to maximize crop growth while reducing waste and production costs.
A total of 57 participants—including Ministry staff, farmers, students from the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Community College, and young people interested in agriculture—took part in the training.
Project officials say the Orange Hill facility represents only the first phase of the initiative. Plans are already underway to install a second hydroponic system using imported components, allowing specialists to compare locally constructed and imported systems and identify the most practical and cost-effective solutions for farmers across St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
By combining modern technology with local expertise, the initiative is expected to play an important role in building a more resilient agricultural sector while supporting national efforts to improve food security and climate resilience.