Blind farmer triumphs against all odds - Tyrone Traille’s inspirational journey

In the heart of Bensonton, St Ann, a remarkable tale of resilience and unwavering determination has emerged. Meet Tyrone Traille, a blind farmer whose journey has been nothing short of extraordinary.

The 45-year-old has been farming for more than 30 years despite losing his sight at the tender age of seven. His love affair with farming began as a child tending to his mother's small plot of land. With an unshakeable spirit and a passion for agriculture that burned brighter than ever, he has been forging ahead with his dream of becoming a first-class farmer.

"I couldn't go into any other thing but farming, because I know they wouldn't want to take me into any other work, so I do farming for myself," he told JIS News at the graduation ceremony held at the Moneague College in St Ann last Thursday. "I just feel to do farming all the time because I love agriculture. No matter what going on, mi love agriculture," Traille shared.

His journey wasn't a solo one. He enlisted the help of family and friends, turning his disability into an opportunity for collaboration and growth. "I get help from my brother, my sister, my mother, and from many other people," he acknowledged. Together, they cultivated a diverse range of crops, from yams and bananas to carrots and peppers. And if that wasn't impressive enough, Traille also raised cattle and goats, showing us that determination knows no boundaries when it comes to diversifying income sources.

But what truly sets Traille apart is his daily routine. Every day he embarks on a two-mile journey to his farm, guided by his unwavering sense of touch and an intimate knowledge of the land. With incredible precision, he tends to his crops and livestock, earning not only a living, but also the deep respect of the entire Bensonton community. His neighbours eagerly purchase his produce, recognising the magic that happens in his fields.

Traille has faced his fair share of challenges, from theft on his farm to minor injuries sustained during his farming endeavours. Yet, his spirit remains unbroken.

"A lot of the times I go to farm and other men use their animals to feed at my grung (farm). Sometimes I am weeding my farm and the cutlass (machete) cut off my finger top, but I continue because I love farming, and as long as I can do farming I will continue," he declared.

His unwavering commitment and remarkable journey came to the attention of Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), which invited him to join their Farmer Field School programme. This initiative aims to enhance the skills of local farmers and equip them with modern farming practices. Despite his visual impairment, Traille excelled in the programme, leaving his instructors in awe.

Jerome Riley, RADA's assistant extension officer for the Claremont area, praised Traille 's extraordinary determination and dedication.

"Tyrone Traille has done very well. Don't look at what you see here, because he has a heart for agriculture. He has an aim, he has the drive, and he is very determined. And despite the many obstacles, he doesn't allow anything to distract him from the path he is on, which I have to commend him on," Riley.