Fabian Melvin feeding his community with inner-city farm

Fabian Melvin, who is a much-liked resident of Admiral Town in Kingston, has, within a year, transformed an illegal dumpsite used by residents into a highly functional greenhouse farming hub that he uses to help feed the elderly.

The land space, once a stench-filled eyesore for pedestrians and motorists, sits below the Torrington Bridge gully on the outskirts of the community. Before he took on the venture, Melvin reportedly worked as a groundsman at the Admiral Town Police Station. He also sold sugar cane to people in his community for some time.

COMMUNITY GREENHOUSE

He told THE STAR that he had always eyed the open area and was eager to use it for farming. He got his chance soon after he was approached by People's National Party councillor candidate, Louise Newland, who wanted the project to be placed in capable hands.

"From mi get the greenhouse mi just start clean up the whole stretch and start planting. Mi plant sorrel, banana, cane, plantain, and nuff other crops like callaloo, pumpkin, plantain," said the father of three.

The greenhouse was built by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), as part of a larger plan to clean up and help develop the community. However, persons weren't latching onto the idea which, at one point, almost forced the plan to be shelved.

"It bush up when dem gimme it because nobody never want it. JSIF build the greenhouse for the community, so anything mi a do right here is for the benefit of the people in Admiral Town," he said. After harvesting the crops, Melvin, who said he was introduced to farming by his father Leslie as a boy growing up in Red Ground, Clarendon, would often share the produce with older folks in his area.

"Dem feel good because nuff young youth nah do weh me a do now... mi no see none a dem weh come fi find out weh mi a gwan wid. Nuff a dem inna wrongdoings, so dem nah go come out pon the front fi no man clap dem," he said.

Although his farm is situated right next to the police station, Melvin revealed that from as early as 1 a.m., he is ploughing the field while also keeping an eye out for potential intruders.

According to Newland, aside from a few occasions, dumping inside the gully has been reduced significantly since Melvin took over.

"Up to this morning, he saw someone passing and throwing something and he said to the person that it is not a rubbish heap anymore. It looks so beautiful and it is no longer a stinking area. If you come here in the night, you'll see people sitting in the park," she said.

Newland also said that other areas in Admiral Town have been earmarked for development and are subject to negotiation between JSIF and the member of parliament for St Andrew South, Mark Golding.