Agribusiness participant Diandra Rowe takes Abbey Garden Farm to CWA
Abbey Garden Farm is a Jamaica greenhouse farm from that will be on display at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture being held in the Cayman Islands 24-28 October 2016. Crops grown include lettuce, tomatoes, bell peppers, kale, cabbage, cucumbers, cantaloupe, strawberries, arugula, parsley, cilantro and basil. Vegetables are grown using Hydroponics, Bag culture, Ebb & Flow (table top) and Nutrient Film Technique (pipes). The business was started by Jervis Rowe in 1990 as an open field vegetable operation.
Diandra Rowe, Jervis’ daughter, is the Assistant Managing Director at Abbey Garden Farm. She is a graduate of the University of Technology Jamaica with a Bsc. in Hotel and Resort Management. She worked in the sales industry before taking a leap of faith to go home and help run the family business. She said it was a very fulfilling experience and that she had no plans to change her career path anytime soon. According to Diandra, the farm is defined by the quality and consistency of the produce.
“At Abbey Garden Farm, we aim to produce products that attract the highest price in the market place. We employ science, technology with much emphasis on automation,” she said.
She attributes the business’ success to consistently providing quality produce. According to this agri-business advocate, success in this field is attained by hiring and retaining the right people and providing the necessary resources for employees to master their tasks. It is also achieved by maintaining strong mutually beneficial relationships with clients.
In relation to her participation in training workshops hosted by the Caribbean Community, Diandra said that it afforded her the opportunity to meet and connect with other young agribusiness owners who had shared valuable experiences and information with her which sometimes could be applied to similar situations with which she was faced.
“It has also allowed me to interact with experts within in the field who have also shared ways in which I can improve my agribusiness. The business has also gained some exposure through my participation in the various activities .
At CWA, expect to find fresh produce or pictures of the produce grown on Abbey Garden Farm and a few of the systems and technology they utilise.