Manchester’s Diandra Rowe crowned Most Innovative Farmer

When it comes to innovation in agriculture, Manchester female farmer Diandra Rowe is a cut above the rest. Don't take our word for it - the award she received Sunday evening at the 67th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show for Most Innovative Farmer says it all. In addition to that award, she was crowned Young Champion Farmer.

Rowe, who describes herself as a third-generation farmer, said she has been exposed for her entire life to the field. She, however, took it up professionally four years ago in January.

With her focus being on greenhouse farming, Rowe is involved in fruits and vegetable production.

"I didn't choose farming initially, farming chose me. My passion really was food and hospitality so that is what I studied in university. After completing my studies, I ventured into sales. After a few months at my new job, I learnt that my father was making plans to close the farm," she said, adding that her father was unable to give the business the attention that was required.

quits job to do farming

It was then she made the decision to resign from her job and give farming a try. She hasn't looked back since.

Taking up the mantle did not come without its challenges, the main one for her being finding reliable workers, as she said not many persons are interested in farming as a profession due to the stigma still associated with it.

Drought has been creating havoc for farmers, with Rowe's farm being no exception. But she combats that by utilising hydroponic systems, which allows her to conserve and reuse water.

"We are also on a 50 per cent water budget so the plants planted in soil get less water throughout the days. Whenever we get a few quick showers of rain we've managed to harvest some of that rainfall, but it still isn't sufficient so we still have to truck water from time to time," she said.

Commenting on her award, she said she is excited, as one of the goals in farming is to show persons how discarded materials can be used commercially, and be incorporated into home gardens. For her, it is pure joy knowing the judges were impressed.

Still basking in the award, she said she cannot take all the credit for it as her father played a big role in that achievement.

"My father's company, Central Greenhouse Supplies and Services, for one, designs and fabricates our greenhouses. My father also designed a vertical system, using tyres in which we plant strawberries, and number of persons are always fascinated by that when they visit." She shared that she also utilises tyre stacks as sweet potato planters, and old roof gutters for herb planters.

"We've been using styrofoam as planting medium and old drums for hydroponic systems. Those are just a few of our innovations," she said.

Rowe is a past student of Bishop Gibson High and the University of Technology.