Lime is very likely to be useful in the gardens of Wetar and it may be used at quite high rates but there are some things to learn first.
There are two kinds of lime and both may be available – one from imported material that sounds like it is available for your gardeners and the other from quarries on the island.
There is Ca(OH)2 = Quick lime (hydrated lime) and also the much slower reacting, straight out of the ground – CaC03 – Calcium carbonate.
Before using any kind of lime it is always best to have a pH test of your soil so that you know where you are starting… A pH between 6 and 6.5 is often a good target pH in vegetable growing areas. Some plants love really acid conditions and hate lime, but that won’t be the case for the vegetable growing you are doing.
So a general recommendation to get started.
200 g/m2 of standard lime dug out of the ground from your own limestone and if using quick lime out of bags – use 150 g/m2. A bed of 10 m x 1 m = 10 m2 so 1.5 kg of quick lime or 2 kg of standard lime – Calcium carbonate- applied to the bed.
These are low rates I’m suggesting. Better too little than too much. Too much is bad. You end up with nutrient deficiencies. The deficiencies relate to micro-nutrients.
If using quick lime don’t let it touch the plants. Best to use gloves. If farmers don’t have gloves… put the hydrated lime into a bucket and use a cup to spread it – that way hands will stay relatively free of the hydrated lime. Then, wash hands after applying. Don’t breath in the fine dust. ie apply into the wind. It is best to apply quick lime after harvest when the soil might rest / fallow a while. With standard lime, out of ground – the white powder I used for assisting micro-flora and worms (they love it) from down the road from Lerokis/camp – I’d use it prior to planting – just spread on ground before digging and the subsequent digging will cultivate it into the soil.