ATLANTIC Hardware Limited is increasing support for droughthit farmers as it stocks up on drought-resistant hybrid seeds designed to help sustain crop production, amid prolonged dry conditions affecting the local agriculture sector.

CEO Deanall Barnes said the move forms part of Atlantic’s longer-term strategy as changing weather patterns increase demand for agricultural inputs that can perform under water-stressed conditions.

“We realise that the weather patterns are very clear that we’re going to have dry periods. As such, we have engaged our suppliers and they have done all the requisite tests to ensure that our seeds are able to germinate and produce crops of the requisite size and quality despite not having a lot of water,” Barnes told the Jamaica Observer following the company’s annual general meeting held recently.

As the country continues to grapple with the lingering effects of the super El Nino phenomenon which continues to shape unpredictable weather patterns, Barnes said Atlantic expects the challenges to place further strain on agriculture and wants to ensure farmers have access to inputs suited to changing conditions.

BARNES… with farmers experiencing periods of dry weather and changing growing conditions, choosing the right seed is important

He said the company is particularly mindful of the impacts on small farmers, many of whom have limited resources to cope with prolonged periods of drought.

“With farmers experiencing periods of dry weather and changing growing conditions, choosing the right seed is important. Hybrid seeds can provide strong plant growth and more uniform crops — and some varieties may offer greater tolerance to environmental stress when supported by proper irrigation and good farming practices,” Barnes said.

Atlantic Hardware, which entered the agricultural supply business earlier this year through its Atlantic Agro division, is preparing for a larger shipment of hybrid seeds expected to arrive by mid-October. The shipment will include cucumber, Crimson King watermelon, turnip, string bean and okra varieties.

Atlantic Agro Sales Manager Renee Rankine said that following the arrival of the shipment the company will work closely with agronomists to test the incoming varieties and ensure they perform well under local conditions while delivering the expected quality and yields.

RANKINE… Crimson King watermelon remains one of the division’s best-selling varieties, with a single fruit from the hybrid variety capable of reaching about 20 pounds under suitable growing conditions.

She said Crimson King watermelon remains one of the division’s best-selling varieties, with a single fruit from the hybrid variety capable of reaching about 20 pounds under suitable growing conditions.

Rankine said the company, in seeking to increase its inventory of agricultural inputs at this time, aims to help farmers address some of the challenges facing the sector.

“As we move forward, we continue to go after securing increased inventories, including those that can combat various challenges happening in agriculture, so as to keep us competitive,” she said.

In addition to the drought-resistant strains, Atlantic also stocks a range of open-pollinated and hybrid seeds — including cabbage, broccoli, and sweet corn — along with fertilizer, pesticides, herbicides; chicken feed; fencing materials; and farm tools such as machetes, files, pickaxes, and lawnmowers.

Barnes said the company is seeking to develop Atlantic Agro into a one-stop supplier for farmers and rural retailers, while leveraging its existing hardware distribution network to improve the availability and delivery of agricultural supplies.

He said the division has performed relatively well during its first few months, despite the impact of the dry weather on agricultural activity. Projections are for the new division to drive growth by almost 15-20 per cent this year.

“So far our numbers have held for the first three to four months, despite the impact of the weather, which has had material and deleterious consequences over the last two or three months on the local agriculture sector,” Barnes said.

“We have seen some softening in sales in that area, but we’re in the business for the long term so we’re not too perturbed by that. As we position ourselves for things to settle down and weather patterns to become more stable, we continue to ensure that we will have adequate supplies of dry-weather and all other types of agricultural products to meet the needs of farmers,” he added.

Barnes said Atlantic has also begun actively engaging the Rural Agricultural Development Authority as it works to establish the Atlantic Agro brand among farmers. The division previously operated under the T Geddes brand before being taken over by Atlantic Hardware.

“We’re still in the process of getting people to know that all that business has been taken over by Atlantic Hardware, and we’re very confident about its continued growth and even more excited about the future prospects as more and more customers begin to hear about us,” Barnes said.