Everywhere that I’ve engaged in agricultural development work, I’ve benefited from at least one farmer or gardener who served as a model and source of inspiration for myself, my colleagues and especially our community-based partners. Having exceptionally productive and well run holdings, these people stand out from neighboring smallholders despite facing similar environmental challenges as well as poor access to inputs (fertilizers, etc.) and finances. Often living on the m

Since we moved onto our property over four years ago, we have planted at least 30 types of tropical fruit-producing plants. Many, such as the mango, banana, avocado and starfruit trees, have been yielding over the past year or two. Other trees, including a jackfruit, sugar apple, pomelo and two coconuts are still immature. And I’m not sure if our Marion plum or grumichama will ever bear. Since last week, I’ve been monitoring the starfruit, fig, guava and papaya trees for r