New varieties of seed are grown mainly with a view to study their suitability under local circumstances. These tests include cucumbers, okra, tomatoes, celery, sweet peppers, spinach, cabbages and sometimes exotic vegetables. Testing of irrigation-methods . Water is definitely the most important and most expensive factor in growing agricultural produce in Aruba. Generally speaking, about 600 kgs of water are needed for producing 1 kg dry matter of plant material.
Water is the major ingredient of most fruit and vegetables.
People have to do their utmost to use the available water in a productive way. Every drop costs and thus every drop should be made profitable. Simple and manageable systems for the smallholder with adequate division of water have been developed over the years. The principal goals of the Section Horticulture are to reach a certain level of self-sufficiency of vegetable production in Aruba. The section makes an effort of this by means of extension and other services to the public.