Christopher Brammer cultivating innovation in agriculture

Nestled amid the lush hills of Manchester lies the unassuming Spice Grove Spring Farm, a testament to the vision and dedication of its seasoned farmer, Christopher Brammer, boasting more than 15 years of farming experience.

Today, this farm stands as a beacon of innovation, driven by Brammer's unwavering commitment to enhancing local produce quality and variety through technological advancements. Driven by his commitment to providing the local market with authentic and diverse produce, he faced challenges head-on.

"Technology has transformed the way we live and work, so we have to find ways to include it in everything we do," Brammer shared. This mantra has led him to introduce revolutionary farming technologies to his operations. But while investments in solar energy, irrigation and hydroponics have already started to create efficiencies on the farm, Brammer is more concerned with maintaining more sustainable operations year-round.

"We have to grow what we eat and eat what we grow," Brammer said. "If we don't work hard to achieve this, we stand to lose a lot." His proactive efforts, which include the construction of greenhouses and a hydroponics set-up for growing lettuce, allows for faster and more continuous production of the crops.

"Using hydroponics requires less soil and space than traditional farming, and the yield is also faster," Brammer said.

"Right now, there is a shortage of Romaine lettuce in Jamaica, which we can address with the construction of more greenhouses and sustainable lettuce farming practices."

Brammer noted that lettuce grown using hydroponics can yield harvest within three to four weeks, which is much faster and more efficient than traditional farming, which would take an additional one to two weeks.

Spice Grove Spring Farm is known for its diverse range of fruits and vegetables, which include Romaine lettuce, sweet peppers, onions, watermelons, cucumbers, and a variety of tomatoes. In addition to the infusion of technology, the farm is committed to using sustainable and organic farming practices, which not only benefit the environment, but also make their produce more nutritious.

Tanya Allgrove, assistant vice-president of SME Business at NCB, shared her admiration for Brammer's astute investments in his business, and commended his foresight: "Christopher Brammer's investments in modern technology showcase the incredible potential of local agriculture when combined with innovation. At NCB, we're honoured to support such visionaries, and we are deeply committed to standing by Christopher in his quest to reshape Jamaica's agricultural landscape, starting with Spice Grove Spring Farm."

Brammer was able to secure financing for his irrigation systems via NCB's Quick Biz Express Loan, a fully digital solution which offers unsecured financing of up to $2.5 million for local MSMEs. With competitive interest rates and swift disbursement of funds in as little as 10 minutes, NCB's Quick Biz Express Loan is geared towards empowering local small business owners with unencumbered access to financing to support the growth and development of their businesses.

"Obtaining reliable labour and dealing with the climate have both been problematic for us," Brammer noted. "But with the progress we're seeing, I feel positive about our prospects for continued growth and expansion."

Brammer's next steps include acquiring a drone to assist with spraying and fertilising the crops on his farm. This, he said, reduces the time taken to spray acres of crops, and it can be done regardless of the weather conditions.

The champion farmer encourages local businesses and entrepreneurs to pursue their dreams with the right support, particularly in terms of financing.

"I advise others to research, identify a market, follow their passion, and go for it," he advised. "With the right support, anything is possible."