‘Nothing is wrong with farming’ - Clarendon cultivator encourages youth to join production trail

October 02, 2019
Jacob Donaldson on his hot pepper farm in Belmont, Clarendon.
Jacob Donaldson on his hot pepper farm in Belmont, Clarendon.
Jacob Donaldson says that there is nothing wrong with acriculture.
Jacob Donaldson says that there is nothing wrong with acriculture.
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When Jacob Donaldson relocated to Clarendon from his Kingston 14 home in 2000, he had very little interest in agriculture. This was until he saw his brother took him to the fields and taught him the art of farming.

"I plant sweet pepper, too, but right now it's time to reap Scotch bonnet pepper. In addition to selling to market vendors, I also supply GraceKennedy. Sometimes when me and the higgler dem nah take tea mi will all go Coronation Market myself go sell them," said Donaldson as he tended to his thriving Scotch bonnet pepper farm.

Donaldson's farm is one of several in Belmont district in the north-central section of the parish. He stated that the small community lacks development and has seen very little growth, especially since bauxite mining was introduced to the area years ago.

"I do farm work as well, but there is nothing to me like my fields. A lot of people nah go wah get their hands dirty and do this type of work, but it can be profitable. Nothing is wrong with farming so a man can just lease a little place and try do a thing," Donaldson said.

He added: "The thing about farming peppers is that they are sensitive. You have to treat them good and spray them and ensure that they are getting enough nutrients and so on."

Earlier this year, J.C. Hutchinson, minister without portfolio in the agriculture ministry, said Jamaican peppers are a "hot item" and a commodity in great demand. He said that the annual global production of fresh peppers for export is estimated at approximately 30 million tonnes, and Jamaica is producing a mere 0.04 per cent of that global demand.

He said that hot peppers are among the priority crops being promoted by the Government for increased production and productivity to meet demands in both the local and export markets.

Meanwhile, Donaldson is imploring the relevant authorities to have water pipes installed in Belmont.

"Most of us farmers have to depend on rainwater. It nuh easy to carry water from so far so I have to just get some little tanks put in my field and full them up at the river or when rain fall. Damhead is the closest river to the community. I am praying for the day when I see water run through pipes into everyone's home," he said.

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