Progress in St. Vincent and the Grenadines: Plantain & Dasheen Intercropping Project Thrives

A recent field visit to our plantain and dasheen (taro) intercropping initiative in SVG revealed outstanding plant growth and climate resilience.

Implemented by CARDI in collaboration with the International Trade Centre (ITC), funded by the European Union (EU), and working closely with the SVG Ministry of Agriculture, this project is proving the power of smart, climate-resilient farming system design.

Key Field Observations & Highlights:

Microclimate Benefits: The canopy from the taller plantain trees provides natural shade for the dasheen, significantly reducing evapotranspiration and conserving soil moisture.

Drought Resilience: At five months in, the intercropped system has demonstrated superior resilience during recent dry conditions compared to surrounding monoculture crops.

Farmer Endorsement: The host farmer praised the growth rate and resilience of the system, noting plans to expand his own plantain and dasheen acreage using this model!

Crop Health: Plants are thriving – reaching 6 feet and taller in several areas – with no major pest or disease issues noted.

The team will next be applying additional targeted fertilization to support the plantains as they continue to mature.