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April page 1
Green ine V A publication of NAMDEVCO Growing Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 Dasheen Leaves In this Issue Dasheen Leaves Production Guide 2 Wholesale Prices and Volumes 4 Seafood Prices 5 Export Prices 5 Dasheen Leaves Recipe 6 Retail Prices 7 GreenVine One of our favourite dishes here and in other parts of the region is Callaloo, whose main ingredient is dasheen leaves. This crop is growing in importance for both the local and export markets. Dasheen leaves are produced throughout the country from backyard to commercial farms, as much as 10 acres each in places such as Navet, Orange Grove, Macoya, Wallerfield and Carapo. Over the last five years, there has been a threefold increase in the volumes of this crop as evidenced by the trade at the Northern Wholesale Market. Volumes increased from 263,000 bundles (129,000 kg) in 2006 to 610,000 bundles (299,000 kg) in 2010. Apart from the local market, small quantities are exported to niche markets in Miami, New York and Toronto. is a monthly bulletin of the National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO). It provides information to strengthen the managerial and technical capacity of our agribusiness stakeholders and market intelligence in fresh produce and seafood at wholesale, retail and export markets. GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 2 Dasheen Leaves Production Guide The name dasheen or taro is generally used to refer to Colocasia esculenta, one of several major root crops in the Araceae family (aroids). Dasheen is a large perennial herbaceous plant which can grow up to 2 m in height, opened leaves can be as large as 20–85 cm long and 20–60 cm wide, the petioles (stems) rise up in whorls from the apex of the corm and can grow to 2 m in length. Planting Material The planting materials are either setts or cormels. Setts are prepared from mature corms. The upper 2-4 cm of the corm should be intact having a base diameter of 5cm to 7 cm and weighing 150g to 250g. Varieties In Trinidad & Tobago, farmers usually select between purple stem varieties and green stem varieties. In recent years the green stem varieties have become more popular. Purple stem Green stem Soil Type When cultivating dasheen for leaf production, moist to semi-moist soils with a pH range of 5.5 –7.8 is recommended. In Trinidad, dasheen thrives in soils with a tendency to water logging or which are saturated for long periods. Field Preparation Flat lands are ideal for dasheen cultivation. The land must be cleared of all vegetation. It should be ploughed and rotavated. Well composted manure can be incorporated at this stage. Embankments approximately 2½ feet (76 cm) high are formed around the planting area to contain irrigation water within the plot. Inlet pipes are placed approximately 2 feet (61 cm) above the base of the bed and outlet or drain pipes are placed at the opposite end of the pit approximately 4 inches (10 cm) above the base. This arrangement of inlet and drain pipes facilitates the flooding and draining of the fields. Access to good quality irrigation water is crucial to successful dasheen leaf cultivation. Setts used for planting All dead leaves and outer petiole bases should be removed, trimming to a new leaf inside. It is important to ensure that the planting material is taken from diseased free parents. Larger setts are preferred as they produce larger yields. Setts should be planted within a week of harvesting. Suckers should be immersed in a solution containing 90 ml household bleach in 45 liters of water for 15 to 20 min prior to planting. Planting Setts are normally pushed by hand into the soil to a depth of 20-30 cm. The water level should not be more than 10 cm above the top of the soil and it must not become stagnant. Planting Recommended spacing varies, ranging from 30 cm × 30 cm up to 120 cm × 120 cm. Typical spacing in paddy culture is usually 45–60 cm (27,000–49,000 plants/ ha). Embankment 2.5 feet Inlet pipes Drain pipes 4 inches Field Preparation GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 3 Irrigation For best results in the production of dasheen leaves it is recommended that there be water movement at all times. Water enters the pit from the inlet hole and the overflow exits the pit at the opposite end from the outlet. This water is held in a pond and re-circulated into the pit. Fertilizier Requirements To ensure maximum foliage production, at three (3) months after planting apply urea (46.0.0) at the rate of 50kg per acre and calcium nitrate at 50kg per acre. Thereafter this identical fertilizing regime is applied every 2 weeks. Nutrient deficiencies are recognised as follows: Nitrogen deficiency: uniform yellowing of the lamina or leaf blade and development of a purple colour along the petiole. Potassium deficiency: Marginal chlorosis of the leaves, roots die. Zinc deficiency: Inter-veinal chlorosis, narrow leaves and cupping of the leaves. Pests and Diseases Aphids (Aphis spp.) These insects usually do not cause serious damage unless they are present in large numbers. They damage the taro plants by sucking sap from the petioles and leaf Aphids on underside of leaves blades. Aphids are easily observed on the young leaves. They are more prevalent in the dry months. They can be controlled with Cypermethrin at the rate of 10 mls per 4 litres of water. ® Dasheen Beetle: (Ligyrus) The adult beetles fly from the breeding sites to the taro field and tunnel into the soil just at the base of the taro corm. They then proceed to feed on the growing corm, leaving large holes that degrade the eventual market quality of the corm. Also the wounds that they create while feeding promote the attack of rot-causing organisms. The feeding activity can cause wilting and even death of the affected plants. Biological controls include: Metarhizium anisopliae, Bacillus popilliae and Vavraia. Beetles feed leaving large holes on the corms Taro beetle Taro Leaf Blight (Phytophthora spp.) The disease begins as purple-brown water-soaked lesions on the leaf. These lesions then enlarge, join together and eventually destroy the entire lamina in 10-20 days. Free water Leaf blight collecting on older leaves, as well as high temperature and high humidity are conducive to onset and spread of the disease and germination of the spores. The disease can cause yield losses of 30-50% of corm. Dasheen Mosaic Virus (DMV) DMV is caused by a virus that is spread by aphids. It is characterized by chlorotic and feathery mosaic patterns on the leaf, distortion of leaves, and stunted plant growth. While the disease is DMV not lethal, it reduces yields. Control is through the use of DMV-free planting material, field sanitation, and quarantine measures. Removal of rogue plants away from fields and destroying such plants is highly recommended. Shot Hole Leaf Spot (Phyllostica spp.) The first symptom of Shot hole is normally a small round brown/ yellowish spots on the second or third leaves, and as the spots enlarge to about 2 cm diameter the centre falls out, leaving the “shot hole” symptom. Proper field husbandry can help to control this problem. Shot holes Weed Control The first 3 months after planting is crucial in achieving proper weed management in dasheen leaf production. The embankment surrounding the pit must be kept weed free. As the crop matures and the pit is sufficiently covered with foliage weed control becomes relatively simple. Harvesting Weekly harvesting of the leaves may start 3 months after planting. Unfolding or young expanded leaves are preferred. Approximately 6 months after planting the field is fully mature and would normally yield 1,500 bundles per acre per week at 1½ lbs per bundle. Continuous harvesting is assured provided sufficient water is available. GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 4 REVIEW OF MARCH WHOLESALE FRESH PRODUCE PRICES AND VOLUMES Item Carrot Cassava Dasheen (Local) Eddoes (Imported) Sweet Potato (Local) Ginger Yam (Common) Prices kg kg kg kg kg kg kg bdl bdl kg kg Patchoi bdl Spinach bdl Cabbage (Local) (Gn) kg Callaloo bush (open) bdl Callaloo bush (roll) bdl Lettuce (M) Head Bodi Beans Cucumber Melongene (M) Sweet Pepper (M) Tomato (M) Pumpkin % Change % Change Feb - 11 Mar - 11 Feb/Mar -20% 3.50 4.37 -23% 3.41 4.41 -12% 3.71 4.19 0% 3.03 3.02 0% 4.00 4.01 8% 3.43 3.19 Prices % Change Feb - 11 Mar - 11 Feb/Mar 5 lb bdl 21.50 -15% 18.33 kg 80% 5.70 3.16 kg -33% 5.96 8.89 kg -9% 6.15 6.77 kg -25% 10.54 14.01 kg -13% 2.62 3.00 Volumes Feb - 11 95,095 49,063 16,134 44,632 84,905 32,110 4,719 Feb - 11 Mar - 11 Feb/Mar 4% 18.22 17.55 -9% 17.32 18.97 -37% 15.20 24.17 -21% 21.75 27.53 Prices Item Item Mar -11 Feb/Mar 31% 12.31 1% 4.36 -18% 6.73 -10% 9.37 -17% 6.13 15% 19.78 5% 4.27 Prices Item Celery Chive Hot Pepper Pimento (M) Feb- 11 9.38 4.30 8.17 10.43 7.35 17.20 4.06 % Change Mar -11 Feb/Mar 26% 119,456 13% 55,434 9% 17,598 20% 53,766 9% 92,590 -8% 29,593 -25% 3,542 Volumes Feb - 11 12,501 13,731 16,088 3,277 Mar -11 11,267 13,200 19,103 2,564 Volumes Feb - 11 33,140 15,115 80,437 39,385 13,230 20,770 % Change % Change Feb/Mar -10% -4% 19% -22% % Change Mar - 11 Feb/Mar 8% 35,669 21% 18,220 0% 80,509 7% 41,970 -13% 11,500 -12% 18,370 Volumes % Change Feb - 11 Mar - 11 Feb/Mar 9,608 28% 12,287 108,387 96,072 -11% 11,301 -39% 6,895 15,091 11,562 -23% 46,703 55,105 18% 137,903 120,317 -13% Fruits Root Crops The volumes of locally produced Sweet Potato continue to increase resulting in further price reductions. The price of Sweet Potato has fallen by 48% from January to March. GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 5 Local Dasheen prices fell by 18% as volumes rose by 9%. The price of Carrot continued its upward climb for the fourth consecutive month, moving from $8.01/kg in December to $12.31/kg in March. Item Prices Banana (Imported) Papaya Pineapple Watermelon kg kg kg kg Feb - 11 11.33 7.49 8.79 6.29 volumes increased by 19%. The average price per 40lb bag of Hot Pepper during the month of March was $276. The price of Celery rose by 4% as its volumes fell by 10%. Double digit price reductions, in the range of 12 to 23%, were noted for Patchoi, Spinach and Local Cabbage as increased volumes were recorded. The price of Lettuce rose by 8% as its volumes fell by 12%. The price of Callaloo Bush was unchanged despite fluctuations in volumes. Costa Rica Dominican New York Terminal Market Hot Pepper (8 lb Box) Pumpkin (50 lb Bag) $20 - 22 $17 - $20 $17 - $20 Florida $15 - 16 Jamaica $28 Hot Pepper (8 lb Box) $12 - 14 $20 - 28 Mexico Panama Hot Pepper - Habanero/Scotch Bonnet Type; Papaya - Maradol Type COMPARISON OF WHOLESALE PRICE The most significant price reduction was noted for Melongene which fell from $8.89/kg to $5.96/kg. The price of Cucumber rose by 80% as its volumes fell by 11%. Fruits The price of Banana (Imported) rose by 3% as volumes increased by 30%. During the month of March, increased supplies were noted from CARICOM countries. Miami Terminal Market Pumpkin (50 lb Bag) Source: USDA Market News Service. NOTE: The prices quoted above are the prices received by the importer/distributor in the respective markets. An exporter from Trinidad and Tobago would receive about 65% of the above prices when he ships the product (Cost and Freight landed port) Vegetables Overall, the prices of items in this category fell by 14% as volumes fell by 8%. With the exception of Cucumber, prices fell in the range of 9 to 33%. % Change (US$) MARCH 2011 Republic Leafy Vegetables Volumes Feb - 11 Mar - 11 Feb/Mar 30% 67,755 88,350 2% 17,232 17,532 3% 49,624 51,120 25% 82,237 102,649 USA TERMINAL MARKETS WHOLESALE PRICES Condiments and Spices With the exception of Celery, the prices of all items in this category fell in the range of 9 to 37%. The most significant price reduction was noted for Hot Pepper (31%) as its % Change Mar - 11 Feb/Mar 3% 11.65 0% 7.46 -4% 8.42 -33% 4.21 The price of Watermelon fell by 33%, moving from $6.29/kg in February to $4.21/kg in March as volumes increased by 25%. FOR SELECTED SEAFOOD ITEMS Commodity Ancho Bachin Blanche Brochet Carite Cat Fish Cavalli Cro Cro Cutlass Fish Herring King Fish Mixed Fish Moonshine Red Fish Salmon Shark Shrimp (M) Unit kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg kg Port of Spain Wholesale Fish Market Orange Valley Wholesale Fish Market Feb - 11 42.62 25.07 4.29 17.64 50.01 4.29 19.65 12.90 NA 6.61 52.58 12.04 15.73 37.00 35.18 16.01 48.38 Mar - 11 44.09 26.30 4.23 16.41 50.82 4.98 19.39 13.18 NA 6.61 50.51 11.37 23.25 42.17 34.32 15.32 48.50 % Change Feb - 11 39.68 3% NA 5% NA -1% 25.23 -7% 48.66 2% 7.61 16% 22.31 -1% 10.55 2% NA NA 5.51 0% 51.44 -4% 5.06 -6% 21.59 48% 34.17 14% 29.81 -2% 12.22 -4% 33.09 0% Mar -11 24.26 NA 4.41 27.56 50.32 9.37 24.10 12.40 NA 5.40 52.47 5.38 23.52 42.09 33.40 12.97 33.30 % Change -39% NA NA 9% 3% 23% 8% 18% NA -2% 2% 6% 9% 23% 12% 6% 1% GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 6 Dasheen Leaves - One of our Super Greens! Dasheen leaves are part of a tropical plant that many of us grow in our backyard. Internationally they are called taro leaves. Nothing is wasted with this plant since we consume the entire plant, including the roots, which make a great addition to a Saturday soup. Dasheen leaves should NOT be eaten raw, since they contain raphides. These are small needle-shaped crystals made of calcium oxalate, found in over 200 plants. They form part of the defense mechanism by the plant against predators. Raphides tear and harm soft tissue – that is why your bare hands become itchy when you handle them! The good news is that cooking nullifies the effect of raphides. Poulet Fafa (Tahitian chicken with taro leaves) Makes: 4 to 6 servings Recipe courtesy: www.whats4eats.com Ingredients 1 ½ pounds dasheen leaves (fafa), chopped 2-3 tablespoons oil 1 ½ pounds chicken thighs 2 onions, finely chopped 2-4 cloves, garlic, minced 1 cup coconut cream 1-inch piece, ginger minced 1 ½ cups chicken stock or water Salt and pepper, to taste 2-3 teaspoons cornstarch or arrowroot Method 1 Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the dasheen leaves, reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes. 2 Drain and squeeze dry. 3 Heat the oil over medium-high flame in a large pot. 4 Brown the chicken on all sides in the hot oil and remove to a plate. From a nutritional standpoint, how does this local green leafy vegetable compare with the foreign broccoli? Both veggies are excellent sources of vitamin A, which helps improve vision, however dasheen leaves outrank broccoli by offering about 75% more of the nutrient. Dasheen leaves are a better source of calcium, offering 30% more than broccoli. This mineral is needed for so many bodily functions, such as ensuring a sturdy skeletal system and the proper functioning of your nerves. They are both good sources of iron but dasheen leaves have 5% more of this mineral which helps our blood cells deliver oxygen to the rest of the body. Dasheen leaves are 15 times lower in sodium than broccoli. A diet too high in sodium can have ill effects, including developing diseases like hypertension. Though they are both very good sources of potassium, dasheen leaves have more than twice the amount than broccoli. An important function of potassium is to help keep your blood pressure under control. You also get riboflavin and niacin, 2 vitamins Bs, from both veggies although dasheen leaves are a better source of both of these nutrients. Both are also good sources of dietary fibre, though broccoli has a higher % of this very important nonnutrient, which helps in the excretion of waste from our bodies. 5 6 7 Sauté the onion, garlic and ginger in the remaining oil until the onion is translucent. Add the chicken pieces and the stock or water, salt and pepper. Reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for about 20 minutes. Add the dasheen leaves and simmer for another 15 minutes, or until the chicken is tender. Stir the cornstarch or arrowroot into 2-3 tablespoons of cold water and then stir the slurry into the simmering sauce to thicken it lightly. Stir in coconut cream to finish and serve over rice. Nutrition Facts Per serving: 168calories, 11.7 g total fat, 16.6g total carbohydrate, 4.2g dietary fiber, 3.3g sugars, 7.4g protein, 599 mg sodium GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 7 AVERAGE RETAIL PRICES FOR FEBRUARY VS MARCH 2011 ACROSS THE VARIOUS MARKETS Commodity Unit NWM Feb11 NWM Farmers' Farmers' Municipal Municipal VegeMar 11 Markets Markets Markets Markets Marts Feb 11 Mar 11 Feb 11 Mar 11 Feb 11 ROOT CROPS Carrot Pack 5.60 4.26 Cassava Kg 4.36 4.30 Dasheen(Local) Kg 6.73 8.17 Eddoes (Local) Kg 7.41 7.54 Sweet Potatoes (Local) Kg 6.13 7.35 Sweet Potatoes (Foreign) Kg 7.03 6.97 Ginger Kg 17.20 19.78 CONDIMENTS AND SPICES Celery Bndl. 0.88 0.91 Chive Bndl. 0.79 0.72 Hot Peppers Each 0.46 0.33 Shadon Beni Bndl. 0.52 0.50 Pimento Each 0.32 0.23 LEAFY VEGETABLES Lettuce (M) Head 3.19 3.43 Patchoi Bndl. 4.37 3.50 Amaranthus spp. Bndl. 4.41 3.41 (Spinach) Cabbage(Local) (Gn) Kg 3.71 4.19 Callaloo Bush (open) Bndl. 3.02 3.03 Callaloo Bush (roll) Bndl. 4.01 4.00 OTHER VEGETABLES Bodi beans Bndl. 4.30 3.67 Caraille Kg 6.82 7.80 Cauliflower Kg 12.92 13.89 Cucumber Kg 5.70 3.16 Christophene Kg 3.88 3.53 Melongene (M) Kg 5.96 8.89 Ochro Each 0.20 0.20 Pumpkin Kg 2.62 3.00 Plantain (Ripe) Kg 11.27 9.72 Sweet Pepper (M) Kg 6.15 6.77 Seim Beans Kg 11.43 9.58 Tomato (M) Kg 14.01 10.54 FRUITS Dry Coconuts Each 3.29 3.38 Banana (imported) Kg 11.33 11.65 Papaya Kg 7.46 7.49 Pineapple Kg 8.42 8.79 Watermelon Kg 4.21 6.29 CITRUS Lime Each 1.64 1.58 Grapefruit Each 0.65 0.69 Orange Each 0.67 0.67 NWM - Northern Wholesale Market, Macoya VegeSuper- SuperMarts markets markets Mar 11 Feb 11 Mar 11 6.10 5.93 12.09 10.37 11.80 NA 24.93 7.78 5.96 11.32 9.81 10.00 11.02 24.68 5.54 6.56 11.72 12.05 11.45 11.57 24.00 7.67 6.35 10.97 11.92 11.08 12.48 23.07 5.91 7.02 12.16 11.60 12.18 12.13 24.93 7.79 7.21 12.21 10.66 11.53 11.76 28.02 6.11 10.75 16.24 17.61 16.29 19.94 36.01 7.61 8.52 14.08 17.59 17.99 19.40 34.27 1.89 2.00 0.67 1.16 0.41 1.88 1.90 0.51 1.21 0.33 1.56 1.59 0.81 1.27 0.56 1.54 1.52 0.63 1.25 0.38 1.97 2.05 0.77 1.15 0.55 1.86 1.90 0.66 1.30 0.44 2.59 3.37 1.00 1.70 0.71 2.27 2.14 0.86 1.51 0.56 4.24 5.72 6.19 3.79 4.97 5.59 5.06 5.91 5.95 4.93 5.24 5.41 4.74 6.46 5.97 4.79 6.16 6.37 6.15 7.69 7.59 6.75 7.07 6.92 7.80 4.84 6.64 7.76 4.81 5.87 7.34 4.84 6.15 7.53 4.85 6.29 9.63 5.29 6.50 8.70 4.93 6.75 12.10 11.83 5.79 5.79 6.99 6.33 4.76 15.94 17.87 6.85 8.34 11.10 0.29 5.77 13.71 11.80 15.68 18.43 4.63 11.64 16.13 8.75 9.60 10.66 0.33 5.64 13.24 11.33 14.16 14.52 5.11 13.06 17.99 5.73 7.31 11.87 0.32 5.55 15.23 11.63 16.29 18.98 4.94 11.78 17.51 7.18 7.02 10.31 0.33 5.15 15.36 10.77 14.66 14.70 5.37 12.85 20.95 6.25 10.52 12.54 0.34 5.70 15.27 13.07 17.01 17.42 5.31 12.49 20.57 7.84 7.77 11.86 0.34 5.77 15.61 13.28 15.43 15.82 6.80 19.27 27.34 11.00 13.96 19.05 0.48 7.41 20.31 21.00 22.38 27.67 3.39 12.75 9.02 11.22 7.51 4.10 12.52 8.62 11.02 7.16 5.13 12.83 12.75 12.04 7.79 5.57 12.20 11.23 12.27 6.32 5.30 13.79 10.78 11.93 8.06 5.39 13.74 11.22 11.91 6.80 7.55 5.63 10.33 13.06 12.15 11.80 14.54 14.16 9.42 9.85 1.21 2.93 1.08 0.94 1.06 1.04 2.16 1.09 1.22 1.90 1.05 1.22 1.87 1.28 1.08 2.00 0.97 1.07 2.51 1.87 1.72 8.17 16.72 24.53 10.34 13.44 15.41 0.48 7.00 18.10 17.36 17.19 23.75 2.41 1.64 1.41 GreenVine Monthly Bulletin. Volume 7 No. 3 April 2011 8 ADVERTISE WITH NAMDEVCO Grow your Business Digital Display Boards Conveniently located @ Macoya & Port of Spain GreenVine Newsletter Circulated monthly to all agricultural stakeholders 10 second flip card - $1,500/mth 1/4 page ad - $750 15 second video - $2,250/mth 1/2 page ad - $1,500 30 second video - $5,000/mth Full page ad - $3,000 For further information Contact Asha Samaroo 647-3218 ext 267, [email protected] Editor: Mr Aziz Mohammed CONTACT US COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS TO THE EDITOR ARE WELCOME OFFICES The National Agricultural Marketing and Development Corporation (NAMDEVCO) SS Erin Road, Debe Tel: 647-3218/3467 Fax: 647-6087 Email: [email protected] Southern Wholesale Market: Tel: 647-7478 Fax: 647-6087 Northern Wholesale Market: Tel/Fax: 645-9073 Port of Spain Fish Market: Tel/Fax: 627-7656 Orange Valley Fish Market: Tel/Fax: 679-2281 Piarco Packinghouse: Tel: 669-7092 Fax: 669-7091 Farmers’ Market: Tel: 645-7377 Design & Layout: Jaiwante Samsoondar Printing: SCRIP-J Email: [email protected] Any mention of proprietary or trade names in this publication does not constitute an endorsement by NAMDEVCO or its agents and is solely for information purposes Homepage: www.namdevco.com Market Info: www.namistt.com