Crop Production and Harvesting is a comprehensive guide to sustainable crop production – from land preparation and planting through to harvest and post-harvest operations. The subject matter is organized into four (4) sections:
‘Section 1 – Underlying Knowledge’ provides an overview of food crop production systems, climate-related challenges and technologies geared toward meeting these challenges;
‘Section 2 – Crop Establishment and Maintenance’ recaps information on land preparation, planting, irrigation and crop husbandry activities covered in previous Calyx texts and provides in-depth guidance on planning the crop, crop supports, training and pruning;
‘Section 3 – Harvest and Post-harvest Operations’ covers resources required for harvesting, planning the harvest, harvesting, transporting produce from field to pack house and packhouse operations; and
‘Section 4 – Crop Production Guides’ presents summary information on the climatic requirements, soil preferences, varieties, establishment, maintenance and harvest of fifty (50) important crops grown in tropical regions.
While this text is written to address the requirements of 8 Caribbean Vocational Qualifications (CVQ) Units, it is equally suitable for persons wishing to learn about, and/or improve their crop production and harvesting practices.
For participants pursuing Caribbean Vocational Qualifications, there are two workbooks: ‘Workbook 8.1 – Establish and Maintain Crops’ and ‘Workbook 8.1 – Harvest and Post-harvest Operations’ that contain the practical activities and review questions to prepare participants for competency assessments.