Former cop takes to farming

Having served the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) for 30 years, Percival Tomlinson is a name synonymous with crime fighting, but all that has changed in recent times.

Fast-forward to 2022, the well-loved former policeman affectionately called 'Percy' was on his farm in Whitehouse, St Catherine.

"I have acquired this five acre-plot and decided to make best use of it," Tomlinson said. "I am now involved in farming so I plant crops that are in demand and can mature within three months."

The 63-year-old said that he cultivates pumpkin, pepper, plantain, sweet potato, cantaloupe and yam for the domestic market.

"I realised that the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic increased the pressure on food security, so farming is my answer," Tomlinson told the news team, while watering his plants with a garden hose. The JCF veteran said his daily tasks on the farm start from 7 a.m. He said the labour-intensive activities include weeding, ploughing, fertilising, planting and nurturing.

Having said that, there is a need for assistance to maximise the true potential in helping to shore up food security.

"I would really appreciate some technical assistance from the Rural Agricultural Development Authority on how to plant these crops," Tomlinson said. "If I get fertiliser and seedlings to ease the expenses then things would have been a little better here."

He said that the crops he grows are sold to local jerk shops, restaurants and supermarkets. The aim is to expand the input to get better results.

"I have been here from the land a prepare. I enjoy the farming and we need some rain now to see di blessings,'' said Earle 'Bigga' Taylor, who assists Tomlinson on his farm. He said that having travelled on the seasonal farm work programme, he is used to the difficulties of tilling the soil.

The news team was shown hundreds of mature peppers which were harvested to fulfil an order.

"I am in love with the farm, especially with picking the peppers. This shows me that there are rewards in hard work," said Patricia Vassell, who is Tomlinson's spouse.

Recently, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr said that his ministry encourages farming to help with building the nation's gross domestic product.

Jamaica imported more than US$900,000 (approximately $137 million) of agricultural produce in 2020.