11.2 The management of agricultural change: Jamaica

1 What are the characteristics of agro-industrialisation? 2 Distinguish between intensive and extensive farming. 3 Distinguish between wet rice and dry rice. 4 What are the two ways in which agricultural production can be increased? 5 What have been the main problems of the Green Revolution?

Answers on p.220

The importance of agriculture

Agriculture in Jamaica is dominated by the production of traditional crops such as sugar, bananas and coffee. In addition, a number of non-traditional crops including sweet potatoes, yams and hot peppers are cultivated. Over the past two decades the major export earner, sugar, has experienced a considerable decline. Both sugar and bananas in particular have had to contend with price and market insecurity as a result of preference erosion in the EU market. Agriculture contributes 7% to Jamaica’s GDP and employs about 20% of the workforce.

Recent changes in Jamaican farming

Significant areas of marginal land were abandoned in recent years because of: l the difficulties of making a living on marginal land l the removal of preferential treatment for bananas on the European market l crop disease

Climatic hazards often impact substantially on farming in Jamaica – hurricanes in particular, but also drought. Jamaica is also having to address the issue of land degradation.

Policy responses

In response the Jamaican government announced a new policy for a sustainable local sugar industry. Commodity-specific policies for bananas and cocoa were also introduced. Jamaica has also produced a New Agricultural Development Plan that aims to transform the farming sector by 2020. The main objectives of the plan are to: l halt the decline of the agricultural sector l restore productivity to agricultural resources l ensure that farming communities provide meaningful livelihoods and living environments for those who depend on the agricultural sector

As exports of some traditional farm products have declined the Jamaican government has tried to encourage agricultural diversification. The exploitation of niche markets has been a major aspect of the modernisation of Jamaican agriculture. The government has recognised the contribution ICT can make to enhancing the sector’s efficiency and productivity. The range of policies introduced by the government in recent years has undoubtedly helped to bring about beneficial changes in Jamaican agriculture.

Revised

Traditional crops are major crops that have been cultivated over a long period of time. Non-traditional crops are newer crops cultivated on a reasonably large scale, which mark the diversification of agricultural production. Marginal land is land of poor quality because of lack of nutrients, soil erosion, distance from markets and other human and physical factors. Preferential treatment refers to former colonies of European Union countries being given preferential access to EU markets for a certain time period so their economies could adjust to EU trade policies.

Typical mistake

Students can sometimes struggle with the concept of marginal land. Land can be classed as marginal for a number of reasons, but the essence of the concept is that the returns from farming such land are very limited (marginal) compared with better-quality farmland elsewhere.

Agricultural diversification is the process by which countries and individual farms expand the range of their activities. A niche market is a subset of a market on which a specific product is focused.

Kew Park Farm is a mixed commercial farm in the west of Jamaica (Figure 11.2). This is a very hilly part of Jamaica and good management has been essential for the farm’s survival.

Most of the farmed area is allocated to beef cattle with a total of about 700 animals. Other parts of the farm support a variety of agricultural activities: l An area of 16 hectares is planted with arabica coffee. l Two hectares are given over to citrus fruits (ortaniques). l There are two hectares of lychees. l The farm supports some 2000 free-range chickens. l Five pig units comprise a total of 120 sow units (breeding animals) and 2500 fatteners.

Life in rural Jamaica is not easy and Kew Park provides the only full-time employment in the area. Wages are low. Farm managers have had to be constantly aware of the costs of all their inputs and processes. Knowledge of local and more distant markets in terms of both access and price are important. The farm also has to be aware of government agricultural policies and incentives. The damage caused by a pest known as the coffee berry borer can eliminate the profit expected from a coffee crop in Jamaica. The farm’s website highlights ‘Kew Park Essentials’, a range of traditional herbal remedies, spicy foods and refreshers. Although production of these products is not new, the marketing of them has changed considerably in recent years. This aspect of the farm’s production has accounted for an increasing proportion of its income in recent years.

Negril Marine Park Montego Bay Marine Park

Kew Park Farm

Over 2000 Relief (metres) 1500–2000 1000–1500 400–1000 200–400 Under 200 Dry Harbour Mountains

May Day Mountains Cruz Mountains

Caribbean Sea

0 km 30 N

Kingston Port Antonia Blue and John Crow Mountains National Park Blue Mountains

Peak 2256 m Catherines peak 1558 m John Cr ow Mountains Blue Mountains

Caribbean Sea J a m a i c a

C h a n n e l

Figure 11.2 Jamaica: relief and drainage

Now test yourself

Tested

6 What is the climate of Jamaica? 7 Why have significant areas of marginal land been abandoned? 8 How has farming in Jamaica become more diversified? 9 Name the general type of farming practised on Kew Park Farm. 10 What are ‘Kew Park Essentials’?

Answers on pp.220–221

Expert tip

A simple, but clearly labelled sketch map can considerably enhance the presentation of a case study. With practice you should be able to draw such a sketch map in about a minute. Use Figure 11.2 to draw a simple sketch map showing the location of Kew Park farm.