Bajoo Farm growing more than just crops

On a sprawling, 215-acre farm in Bernard Lodge, St Catherine, Bajoo Farm is a force to be reckoned with in Jamaica's agricultural scene. The farm's founder, Sheldon Clunis, is on a mission to grow enough peppers and sweet peppers to supply most, if not all, of Jamaica -- and he's doing it with passion, perseverance, and plenty of hard work.

"We are contributing to the island, and when we don't have to import certain produce, it can only do good," Clunis proudly said. "That is what we at Bajoo Farm aim for -- produce the best quality product at affordable costs, while providing employment for dozens of persons."

When THE STAR team visited Bajoo Farms last Friday, it was a scorcher of a day, but that didn't slow the workers down. With crocus bags filled to the brim and hands red from freshly picked West Indian peppers, they moved swiftly through the fields.

Even Natalee Brown, one of the workers, barely paused as she wiped her face with the same hands that had just plucked fiery-hot peppers.

"Although the trees look full, we have been picking for weeks. Unno come when we almost done, because is a whole lot we pick already. There is a market all the time, so we always busy," she said.

Clunis, a seasoned farmer with nearly 20 years of experience, said his love for agriculture started at Guys Hill High School.

"I used to do agricultural science, so we just transfer it to open field. I started the pepper farm in 2016, and it has been going well since. The soil is good, and it's just because of the hurricane damage last year why we not getting the best produce now. This field is very rich in nutrients, so the crops are good. We also do scallion and melon as well," he shared.

From 6:30 a.m. daily, Clunis and his 35-member team work tirelessly, but he wants to see more young people in the industry.

"We don't see a lot of young people coming into the field. I am not sure why, but farming takes a lot of work and dedication, so the younger people are not gravitating to it. I want to see more young people taking on this role of feeding Jamaica and the world," he urged.

But farming isn't just about planting and reaping -- praedial larceny is a constant battle.

Armed security guards patrol Bajoo Farms daily, as Clunis revealed that thieves target his Scotch bonnet, sweet peppers, and especially melons.

"We have a problem with praedial larceny, but they don't really trouble the red pepper because it mostly use for hot pepper sauce. But the Scotch bonnet and the sweet pepper they will steal. Especially the melon -- when the price go up, we have to hire armed security to monitor the place or the thieves will reap thousands of dollars' worth of things," he explained.

Clunis has also modernised his farming operation, proving that farming isn't just about getting your hands dirty any more.

"We have computerised equipment that makes the job easier. We have machines that help to water and fertilise, but someone has to operate it. What we do is employ persons from overseas to offer courses on how to handle these machines," he shared.

Right now, sweet peppers are selling at $300 per pound or less, but Clunis said prices recently doubled due to Hurricane Beryl's devastation and a severe drought.

"When there is a drought, the crops are harder to maintain, and we have to pump more water and give them more food. We have to give more nutrition to the leaves and more chemical because during the hot times, mites will attack them. We have to spray them often, so that takes a lot of money, hence the increase in the prices," he explained.