JIS Photo
Charmaine Johnson, one of the workers at the farmhouse on the High Pride Farm in Highgate, St Mary, demonstrates how to tend to sweet pepper.

Aston G. Bailey, JIS Writer

Many persons still remember the days when crops such as cocoa, bananas and sugar were produced in abundance in St Mary, making it a significant contributor to domestic agriculture and a major foreign exchange earner for the economy.

Eric Rodney, 65, a farmer in the community of Jacks River recalls those days with pride.

"Back in the 1950s and '60s, St Mary was the top agricultural producing parish in the country, and the volume of production made it the powerhouse in those days.

"St Mary was also the biggest copra-producing parish during that period, with only Portland and St Thomas providing a small amount of competition," he explained.

Farming reputation lost

Since those years, however, St Mary has lost much of its strong farming reputation. Explanations for the fallout range from the decline of the banana and coconut industries in the parish to the reluctance of younger generations participating in agriculture.

However, one solution for the restoration of production is greenhouse farming technology. Since last year, the technique has brought new life to several farming communities.

Paul Henry, 40, manager of the High Pride Farm in Highgate, has used the method of farming to cultivate sweet pepper and tomatoes since last year. He owns two greenhouses, the largest measuring 6,300 square feet, and currently sells his products to a number of hotels, supermarkets and vegetable importing companies.

Pleased farmer

Henry believes the controlled environment produced by greenhouse technology, along with the much-reduced need for the use of fertiliser when compared to the traditional methods of farming can improve agriculture.

"I have taken on the responsibility not only to assist other farmers to establish and operate their greenhouses, but also to sensitise as many young people as possible in St Mary about the positive changes which that technology can bring to agricultural development in the parish," he said.

The thrust towards greenhouse farming in St Mary is being wholeheartedly supported by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority's (RADA) parish manager, Victor Edwards.

"RADA is fully committed to working with the farmers of St Mary to ensure that greenhouse farming technology is not only successful, but also involves as many farmers as possible," he said.

10 greenhouse projects

So far, there are approximately 10 greenhouse projects in different communities and operators are extremely optimistic about the prospects for success. Among the communities in which greenhouses are in operation are Highgate, Fort George, Kilancholly, Ramble and Carron Hall.

Former National Champion Farmer, 26-year-old Leighton Davis, is also among the farmers using the greenhouse technology in St Mary, having built a 5,000 square-foot greenhouse in the community of Fort George for the production of sweet pepper and tomato. Involved in the use of the technology since November of last year, Davis is optimistic about the project's prospect for success.

Similar sentiments have also been expressed by Levi Walsh who operates a 2000 square foot greenhouse in the community of Kilancholly, and former RADA parish manager Cyril Chambers who owns an 8,000-foot structure in Carron Hall in western St Mary.

Chambers is involved in the production of tomatoes, hot pepper and sweet pepper, while Walsh produces sweet pepper and tomato.

The Ministry of Agriculture is making arrangements with a number of international organisations to provide additional resources for persons involved in this venture.

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Greenhouse facts