Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture

Agribusiness

Capacity building workshop on organic matter and soil de-compaction

Tiempo de lectura: 3 mins.

The health of the banana root system is linked to the conditions of the soil in which the plants grow. Complex interactions between soil physical, chemical and biological properties can be mapped to gain a greater understanding of the interactions of crop production and soil health under specific soil conditions.  Soil compaction has a negative effect in the overall root health of the banana plant and thus affects overall productivity.  Compaction is often measured in terms of bulk density, which is the dry weight of soil per unit volume (g/cm3).  On July 2-5, 2018, the IICA International Specialist on Soils and Water Management from Trinidad and Tobago Delegation, Dr. Chaney C.G. St. Martin did a two-day workshop on organic matter and soil de-compaction.  Participants had first-hand experience using various organic material and understanding how each of these organic material aid in soil de-compaction.  Twenty-two persons including, farm managers, technicians and extension officer from the Ministry of Agriculture, attended the training. 

 

 

More information:

everalda.westby@iica.int

Share

Related news​

Brasilia, Brasil

October 17, 2025

Macarena Valdés and Marco Aceituno, small-scale Chilean producers who have thrived under challenging conditions, will take part in the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas in Brasília

Macarena Valdés and Marco Aceituno, creators of a farm where food production has flourished despite the severe drought that has afflicted Chile in recent years, will be among the speakers at the Conference of Ministers of Agriculture of the Americas 2025, to be held from November 3 to 5 in Brasília.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

El Director General del IICA, Manuel Otero, destacó que la decisión del Banco Mundial de duplicar sus inversiones en el sector agropecuario refuerza la importancia de los pequeños agricultores y reconoce el papel de América Latina y el Caribe en la seguridad alimentaria global.

San Jose, Costa Rica

October 16, 2025

IICA Director General  welcomes World Bank’s decision to double its investments to strengthen the role of small-scale farmers and expresses willingness to work together in Latin America and the Caribbean

Otero stated that IICA stands ready to assist the World Bank in helping small-scale farmers to increase their productivity, scale up and connect to value chains that can increase their income. To that end, IICA will tap into its broad experience in the region, where it works together with various strategic partners from the public and private sectors.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins

San José, Costa Rica

October 15, 2025

Hemispheric dialogue at IICA identifies effective governance, strategic public spending and innovative green funding as key elements to strengthen regional agrifood systems

During a hemispheric dialogue held at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), government leaders, representatives of international agencies and regional agrifood sector experts agreed on roadmaps for strengthening institutional frameworks and coordinating public policies in Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Tiempo de lectura: 3mins