Crofts Hill group preserving the farming culture

Members of the Crofts Hills Farmers Group have one thing in common - their passion for farming and a desire to preserve the farming culture which has been threatened over the years.

After seeing various plant diseases and climate change taking its toll on their livelihood, farmers came together to confront the challenge.

"In our area, most of the crops that we normally plant like bananas, cocoa and coffee went down to zero and because of that, we decided we wanted something else to do as farmers," said Carlene Johnson, secretary of the group.

The farmers group, which has more than 40 members, made an application to the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica, and was successful.

Johnson said the project was approved to the tune of almost $5 million to implement a three-phase project - plant nursery, beekeeping and agro forest, which includes timber and fruit trees.

Encouraging response

Johnson told THE CENTRAL STAR that she is encouraged by the response from members of the group.

"We got the bees last week and had our first training session. Initially, we could only accommodate 12 persons, but 20 turned up," she said.

Johnson said farmers finally have a sense of hope and expectation as over the years, the soil erosion and land slippage has been a big problem.

But now with the forestry project as a part of the focus, the timber will aid in combating that.

She said the group would also be tackling some of the challenges that have hampered them over the years, like finding markets for their produce.

Working under the advice of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Johnson said they are hoping to take their farming business to the next level.

Group member Leo Chambers had nothing but praises for the farmers and encouraged others across Jamaica to form themselves into groups.

"There is strength in unity and there are times you don't have all the information you need. Members in the group can share best practices," he said.