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Planters Hall in St Catherine is a quiet and peaceful community, but residents are faced with water problems that farmers say are destroying their businesses.

Renardo Folkes, who has been farming for most of his life, has recently taken on a new project of rearing pigs.

He said that it is very expensive because he has to be buying water, as the community is without tap water and is currently suffering from a drought.

"I have been a farmer all my life, but I started the pig farm about two years ago. Mi a pay $3,500 to full my likke tank. I buy it to serve for two weeks and it nah pass 10 days. Mi wash the pen like three times per week and sometimes all nine or 10 days it last; and me cyaa [cautious] with the water, because a pig pen, " he said.

The 33-year-old said that due to the drought, tap water would be a major plus for their businesses at this time.

"I plant corn, potato, pumpkin and other things, but without the water I don't get much. Two a mi pumpkin them burst because the sun so hot. If this drought continues, we a go lose our crops. Mi even plant a pear tree and it a dry up. Mi try water them a night time but sometimes it's not enough," he said.

The farmers, who supply the Old Harbour market, said they are willing to pay water bills.

Another community member, Canute Davis, who has been living there for more than 60 years, said that he gets his water whenever he buys it, or when he sets his tanks and drums to catch water whenever it rains.

"Salad and tomato nuh tek no time to come in, so if even they give the community two pipes, and give us a flat rate and say that we should pay this money a month time, we will do it," another farmer said.