Watermelon farmer Claude Taylor, second from right, showing his new variety of watermelons to his friends on his farm in Flagaman, St. Elizabeth. -George HenryGeorge Henry, Gleaner Writer
MALVERN, St. Elizabeth:
CLAUDE TAYLOR is a name that is synonymous with the production of watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew in the south-east section of St. Elizabeth.
Mr. Taylor is one of several farmers in the Flagaman community who is well known for the production of fruits, especially watermelon, of good quality.
A visit to his farm by Farmers Weekly recently revealed that the hard-working farmer, has now come up with a new variety of watermelons which has not yet been fully introduced to the local market.
Although the new variety has not yet been given a name, an introduction to its taste indicated that whatever the name given, it will do well.
According to Mr. Taylor, the melon has so far been given a code, but that cannot be revealed until it is well established on the local market.
Mr. Taylor saiud that he has been involved in the production of his main crops for over 30 years in the Flagaman community which, according to him, is the melon belt of Jamaica.
He said watermelon is his favourite crop, despite its production being challenging, especially in the dry season when he is forced to spend thousands of dollars to purchase water and also despite the fact that a strange disease has started to affect it.
The disease, according to Mr. Taylor, causes the melon to wilt. However , he pointed out that none of the two factors would stop him from getting the best out of his efforts.
Mr. Taylor noted that the old variety of melons to which consumers have become accustomed over the years is susceptible to the disease but that the new variety is able to stand up well.
"We have done some research with this new variety, which is not yet on the market and we have found out that it has a high resistance to the disease but further tests are being carried out," said Mr. Taylor.
He pointed out that there is yet another new variety of the crop available, but which has not yet been given a name. He said soon on both will take over the market.
Farmers involved in the cultivation of the old variety are now moving away from its production, said Mr. Taylor, due mainly to the low resistance to the wilting effect.
