Small-scale agriculture goes high-tech

Zadie Neufville, Gleaner Writer

The European Union (EU) and the Food and Agriculture Organi-sation (FAO) have joined forces with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to help local small and backyard farmers boost production with the introduction of a hydroponic planting system, leaps away from the old tyres, half drums and old wash pans of yesteryear.

The project, which is designed to support Jamaica's food-security strategy, is being implemented by the FAO and RADA, with funding from the EU.

The initiative is part of a €5.8-million scheme to assist 5,000 small farmers and 2,000 agriculturists living on the fringes of urban areas increase output.

Dr Gillian Smith, the FAO project manager, says the scheme offers short- to medium-term support to the Ministry of Agriculture/RADA for ongoing projects in 14 strategic areas. Other projects being funded include: a rice-growing initiative, which aims to increase root and tuber production, tissue-culture production facilities, green-houses to produce seedlings for vegetable growers, and storage and packing facilities for farmers.

RADA's Training Manager Bridgette Williams says the hydroponic system has been imported from Ecuador, where women in a similar FAO-funded project successfully used hydroponic boxes to boost production and their incomes. She noted that, locally, students from the Knockalva Technical and the Port Antonio high schools, in Hanover and Portland, respectively, have tested the boxes and recorded similar outcomes.

Pilot projects

Williams said 18 pilot projects are being set up in St Ann, St Andrew, Manchester, Westmoreland and St James under the National Food Security project.

The 'model sites' will be outfitted with a small irrigation system, a live garden and containers, and will be fenced for added security. The FAO will organise 36 training sessions for technical officers and other specialists who will, in turn, guide the wider community in the proper use of the boxes. The pilot programme is expected to run for one year.

The application of popular hydroponics or hydroponics home gardening for fresh vegetables and fruits for the family's consumption, or for small-scale commercial vegetable production, is consistent with RADA's goals. The concept, Williams said, fits the current drive to encourage, in particular, urban householders to reduce their food expenditure by growing some of what they eat and eating more of what they grow "in an effort to enhance the well-being of the family".

The hydroponic box is being promoted as an environmentally friendly method of farming, a way to encourage year-round production, improve the quality of products and reduce food-import costs. According to Williams, the hydroponic system is expected to double the yield of the conventional backyard garden or small farm, while reducing water and fertiliser use.

The EU/FAO food-security programme is an international initiative to assist governments to reduce poverty and increase food security of vulnerable groups. Local interventions are expected to increase overall food production by between 30 per cent and 40 per cent.