Content farmers using greenhouse technology to improve yields

Some 20 farmers in Content, Manchester, are benefiting from a water-harvesting greenhouse cluster project, which is being done by the Jamaica Bauxite Institute (JBI). The farmers have a one-million gallon water pond from where water is pumped to 40 one-thousand gallon black drums. The plants receive nutrients and water via drip irrigation.

"I like the project and have been here from we began to line the water pond. This is a method where you save water and see better produce, and have a chance to grow longer than regular outdoor crops," said Omar Atkinson, one of the farmers.

Atkinson plants cherry tomatoes and sweet peppers, and is so happy with the technology. He says he wishes he had one more greenhouse, arguing that with outdoor farming, one heavy shower of rain could destroy your entire crop, whereas in a greenhouse, everything is protected.

"You can even be in the greenhouse working while it is raining," he said.

Senior Richardson concurs. He, too, plants cherry tomatoes and finds the technology better.

"I planted some cherry tomatoes outside and rain burn it up, and what is in the greenhouse is still good," says the veteran farmer.

CONTENT CLUSTER

Earl Williams is site manager for the cluster, which is tasked with producing top-quality sweet peppers, cherry and grape tomatoes for the hotel and supermarket sector locally. The 20 farmers, who hail from Williamsfield and Content, have formed themselves into a community group.

Started two years ago, the Content cluster is the last one of the eight to be established by the JBI in partnership with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund.

Williams has been using the greenhouse technology for some eight years and is now sharing the knowledge gained with the Content cluster of greenhouse farmers.

"On the site, I mainly keep production quality at its optimum; farmers have to be trained to understand the goals ahead. It means a lot to them as it affects not only their lives but their families and the rest of their communities," Williams said.

Williams ensures that the farmers comply with best practices and that the plants are happy, which means they get the required nutrients for maximum production. He said that if persons selected for the project were not farmers before, through the training they received, they, too, would be transformed into farmers. Having completed reaping their first crop, the group can now use that experience as a guide to future production.

"We are not yet happy with our yields, our first crop was a learning curve to see what the potential is for greenhouse farming. We now have to continue the best practices so we can optimise on the potential of greenhouse farming," Williams said.