Recently, the NCU, partnering with the College of Agricultural Science and Education (CASE), the Environmental Foundation of Jamaica (EFJ) and the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA), handed over more than 500 breadfruit seedlings to farmers in the Swift River watershed area of Portland. The initiative is a tree-crop programme which aspires to preserve the watershed.

Ranked as a priority area by the National Environmental and Planning Agency (NEPA), degradation of this watershed area has led to downstream flooding, which has severely damaged the North Coast Highway in recent years. It is characterised by steep slopes, high rainfall and deforested areas with significant reduction in agricultural output.

Dr Vincent Wright, chairman of NCU's department of biology and chemistry, along with his research team, have been observing the watershed for several years and have designed the tree-crop programme for the long term.

Other fruit trees to be planted on the Swift River watershed are breadfruit, mango, ackee, sour-sop and jackfruit. Dr Wright explained that the breadfruit and the jackfruit have root systems that can grow to about 35 feet. These roots will go a long way to binding the soil.

protection from rainfall

He added that the canopy of the trees will provide protection for the soil from direct rainfall. Most of these trees are expected to bear fruit within three years and the harvest will be of economic benefit to the community. These crops also have the potential to be exported.

Funded by the EFJ, the objectives of the project are to prevent environmental degradation by watershed management, create sustainable economic activity, develop an integrated approach to improve the environment, improve conservation, erosion control and to protect watersheds that provide habitat for flora and fauna.