Bushy Park farmer finds joy in working the land

May 14, 2025
Farmer Tian Lee stands in his field in Bushy Park.
Farmer Tian Lee stands in his field in Bushy Park.
Lee harvests some of his callaloo, one of the top crops in the area.
Lee harvests some of his callaloo, one of the top crops in the area.
Lee said the area is good for growing greens and ground provisions.
Lee said the area is good for growing greens and ground provisions.
1
2
3

Travelling through Bushy Park, Old Harbour, St Catherine, one cannot help but to be in awe at the lush vegetation.

Mangoes, plums and apples are just some of the fruits that are in season and farms are loaded with ground provisions. It was close to midday last Friday when THE STAR team visited the area and the sun was scorching. But callaloo farmer Tian Lee seemed unbothered as he carefully cut stalks of the vegetable.

"About 15 year now mi a farm eno and mi is 35 now. Mi use to work for people eno but den mi find out say it nah work out, so mi start do a ting and be mi own boss. Farming gimi a little van and a it mi use do mi business and mi build a little ranch from it. Hand to mouth ting mi use to do when mi a work fi people," Lee said.

In addition to ground provisions, vegetables and fruits, Bushy Park is also big on tilapia farming and a number of ponds were observed throughout the space.

"Mi try mi hand at pumpkin already but it never do too well because rain fall a lot in these parts and because pumpkin and melon grow on vines, when dem mature, dem stomach full a water. But okra and dem ting deh do well. Plantain and banana also good fi dis land," he said.

Although he had been in his field from 6 a.m., Lee said his day was far from over, as early Saturday morning, he would travel to Kingston to sell his produce. While a bundle of callaloo is sold for only $200, Lee said with dedication, it can be a profitable businesses.

"Mi go Coronation Market three times a week, so my ting nuh easy but mi don't mind doing it. A morning time mi leave out like 2 a.m. with mi callaloo and okra and sell off. When a reaping time, mi inna mi farm from 6 a.m. and mi nago tell any lie, a food can make offa dis once you have discipline and willing fi put in the work. Is about three quarter acre or so mi mi plant up. See how the sun hot but it's like mi get so use to it that mi no feel it. Mi hardly take a rest day because mi love what mi do," Lee said.

Unlike some other communities, Lee said he and other farmers can rest peacefully at nights knowing that the fruits of their labour will not be stolen.

"Over here suh the young people dem full a ambition so nobody nah sit down. So now, you find a whole heap a dem a go inna di field and a plant up dem farm. No pretty bwoy ting no gwan dem side ya. Because of this, we nuh have problem with tief round here. The youth dem know dem can make a quick money because callaloo and okra always in demand," he said.

Other ÐÓ°ÉÐÔ°É Stories