What are the farming practices

used in two peasant farms at

Jacks Hill,St.Andrew, Jamaica ?

Name: Leighton Thompson

Registration number:
Territory: Jamaica
Year of Exam: 2014
School: Campion College

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Aim of Study

Location of study area

Methodology

Presentation and Analysis of data

Conclusion

12

Bibliography

13

Appendix

14

AIM OF STUDY
The purpose of this study is to describe and compare the farming practices used on two peasant
farms in Jacks Hill, St.Andrew, Jamaica.

Methodology

On Wednesday 8th of October a group of Geography students accompanied

by their teachers and technical experts from the Rural Agricultural
Development Authority went on a field trip to study peasant farming in Jacks
Hill, St. Andrew. Before going on the field trip, data was collected from
secondary sources including: textbooks, websites and classroom discussions.
Equipment such as cameras, clipboards, pencils (used for sketches), pens
and sheets of paper were carried to collect data. On the trip two stops were
made at two different peasant farms to collect data. Data was collected
using interviews from the farmers, observations of the practices used on
both farms and photographs of the farm and also sketches of the farm
layout. Both farmers were interviewed about crops grown and farming
practices they used. The two technical experts from the Rural Agricultural
Development Authority were also interviewed about farming practices and
irrigation techniques. The field officers from RADA also assisted us with
estimating the slope angles and plot sizes.
On the trip the steep slope of the hill posed a problem as it was difficult to
maneuver the hill. Information from both farmers and the RADA technical
experts were recorded on a Data Collection Sheet. (See appendix)

LOCATION OF STUDY

PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS OF DATA

Peasant farming can be defined as small scale farming, on plots of land usually less than four
hectares. Peasant farming involves cultivating different crops and rearing animals generally for
family use or sometimes for local markets Peasant farmers usually practice organic farming
which limits the use of herbicides and pesticides. This is not only cheaper but it produces food
while establishing an environmental balance to prevent soil infertility or pest problem. Peasant
farms are mainly owned and operated by older persons (over 55).This was seen in the field as
both farmers we visited were over 60 years. Peasant farms are often located on slopes, this is
because the plains are used for estates. Despite the plains being more fertile, peasant farmers had
to cultivate on the slopes and so use farming practices to counter the problems caused by
steepness of slopes such as soil erosion and infertility.

PEASANT FARMS

The first peasant farm visited was located on very hilly land, with a slope estimated to be 60700 .(See plate 2) The second peasant farm visited was located on hilly land also of an estimated
slope of about 30-400. The soil present on both farms was sandy loam which was suitable for
farming as it does not retain too much water or lose too much. The size of the farm was
approximately 5 acres and it comprised of 4 plots for the first farm while the size of the second
farm was smaller and was approximately 1.5 acre. There was no use of chemicals on farm one
whereas there was very little use of chemicals on farm two. Several farming practices used by
the farmer on the first peasant farm include: terracing, intercropping, mixed cropping and
mulching. Some of the farming practices used on farm two include: terracing, irrigation.

CROPS GROWN
On peasant farm 1 there were several crops. The main crops planted are: 10% cane, 5% sorrel,
5% banana, 20% sweet potato and 60% yam. (See figure 1). On the farm crops were planted in
specific areas. On peasant farm 2 the main crops grown were: 25% sorrel, 25% gungo,35%
ginger, 15% tobacco. (See figure 2) On farm two crops were planted in pure stands while
intercropping was practiced on farm one. Unlike peasant farm one, peasant farm two practiced
mixed farming as pigs were reared along with the cultivation of crops.

FIGURE 1. SHOWING MAIN CROPS PLANTED ON FARM ONE

5%5%
YAM

20%

CANE
SWEET POTATO
SORREL

60%

BANANA

10%

FIGURE 2. SHOWING MAIN CROPS PLANTED ON FARM TWO

CROPS PLANTED ON FARM

15%
GINGER

GUNGO
35%

SORREL

25%
25%

TOBACCO

FARMING CYCLE
On Farm one the farmer used the phases of moon as outlined in the Mcdonalds almanac to
guide him as to when crops should be planted. The farmer uses the moon to tell when certain
crops should be planted or harvested. Farm 2 also uses the Mcdonalds almanac. This
almanac provides free long range weather forecasts, home and garden advice, astronomy and full
moon information. This farmer used the almanac or advice from RADA experts. as a guide to
decide when to plant or harvest crops The planting and reaping time along with the period of
growth for the crop can be seen in Table 11 below.

Table 1 : Showing Planting and Reaping Time for Crops

Crop Name
Yam
Sugarcane
Sweet potato
Sorrel
Banana

Planting Time
April
Dry season
Rainy season
April August
Rainy season

Ginger
Gungo

March
March

Tobacco

anytime

Reaping Time
January
Dry season
August
All year
NovemberDecember
November
NovemberDecember

Growing Time
Approx. 9mths
12-15 mths
9 monts
3 mths
1 year
8mths
9 mths

FARMING PRACTICES
IRRIGATION
Irrigation is the artificial application of water from rivers, streams or ponds to farmlands during
periods of drought to increase crop yields and production (Ragoonana, 2001.) Irrigation was
only used on both farms. However the methods of irrigation were different. Peasant farm one
used more traditional methods to water plants as a hose carrying water from a stream was being
set up to pump water to the farm to water plants On peasant farm one vegetables were planted on
the lower slopes near to the stream as they needed more water than the other crops. Crops like
cane, yam and sorrel were planted uphill. Peasant farm two used a more innovative method as a
gutter and a water tank was used for rain water harvesting and this water was pumped around
the farm in irrigation pipes.

Plate 1: Showing Irrigation on Farm 2

MIXED FARMING

Mixed Farming was practiced on peasant farm two, as the farm comprised of
both crops and animals. Pigs were reared along with a variety of crops. Mixed
farming is a practice that involves the cultivation of crops and rearing of
animals. It is an intensive form of land use in which the land is used
efficiently and also the animals are used to provide manure for plants. On
peasant farm 2 the pigs provided manure for the crops, this was not only
cheaper but it contributed to organic farming. Mixed farming also provides
another source of income for the farmers.

Terracing is a soil conservation technique that is used on steep slopes to

reduce the rate of soil erosion. The land is cut into a series of flat slope called
terraces and reduce the rate of water runoff down the slope (Ragoonana , 2001.)
This helps to control soil moisture and as a result soil fertility is also
controlled. On each terrace crops are grown and the vertical wall are
supported with rocks or bamboo. Terracing was practiced by both farms. In
both peasant farms the farmers used bamboos to support the vertical wall.
(See Plate 2)

PLATE 2: Photograph showing terracing on farm 1

Crop Rotation
Crop Rotation is a farming practice that involves the cultivation of different crops in the same
plot of land in each successive year. The rotation of crops prevents exhaustion of the soil. On
farm one broad beans were planted in the first year and a crop such as sweet potato was planted
after that. This legume was planted to add nitrogen to the soil . Crop rotation was also practiced
on peasant farm 2 where irish was planted and legumes such as gungo was planted after.

Contour Ploughing
Contour ploughing is a practice that occurs when sloping land is ploughed in strips along
contours of the hill side rather than up or down the land. This practice was done by both farms
and it is used to help to control water run-off and soil erosion.

Mulching
Mulching occurs when a farmer places straw, leaves, soil or dried grass around the roots of plants
to conserve moisture and also help in preventing soil erosion. Mulching was practiced by both
farms where dried grass was laid on the ground to conserve moisture. Underground mulching
was practiced by farm one. ( See Plate 3)

Intercropping
Mixed cropping or intercropping is a farming method which involves the
planting of tree crops and short term crops to promote an intensive farming
system. The farmer may grow as many 15 different crops on a small plot of
land to utilize space efficiently. (Rowe, 2002) However peasant farm 1
practiced intercropping while peasant farm 2 grew crops in pure stands. Pure
stands involves growing each crop separately and this is used to help in pest
control.
Plate 3: Photograph showing intercropping and mulching on Farm 1

CONCLUSION
The peasant farms visited were both located in Jacks Hill St. Andrew, Jamaica. Both farms were
situated on slopes however farm one had a steeper slope. The two farms were small as they were
both below 4 hectares. The farmers of both farms also used traditional methods such as the
McDonalds almanac and RADA expertise to help them in cultivating their crops effectively.
Both peasant farms practiced similar farming techniques but also had their differences. Farm one
and two were situated on slopes hence they used similar practices to control soil erosion. Due to
the steep slope of both farms, they practiced terracing and used bamboos as a method of forming
the steps as this helped in preventing soil erosion. Also both farms practiced irrigation but farm 2
had used an irrigation system of rainwater harvesting which was more efficient than farm one.
Farm one and two also practiced mulching to conserve soil moisture.
However there were differences in farming methods. Farm two used crop rotation as a method
of countering soil exhaustion. While farm one did not, farm two practiced mixed farming t.
Despite both farms practicing polyculture, farm one used intercropping to maximize the usage of
land space while farm two practiced planting crops in pure stands and this helped the control of
pests.

Similarities and differences table

Farm one

Intercropping was practiced.

Farm Two
Farm two
Farm two

Crop rotation was practiced.

Mixed farming
Crops were planted in pure stands

Farm one and two

Farm one and two

Mulching was practiced by both.

Irrigation practiced but different methods

Farm one and two

were used.
Terracing practiced by both.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Book References

Oxford: Macmillan Education Limited

Niles, J. (2005) Modern Caribbean Geography (3rd edition)
Kingston: Jamaica Observer Limited
Rowe, V. (2002) CXC Lecture Series- Geography
Trinidad: Caribbean Education Publishers
Rahil, V.A.M (2010) Complete Geography Course for CSEC
Trinidad: Caribbean Education Publishers
Ragoonana, S (2001) CXC Agriculture Revision Course (3rd edition)
Trinidad: Caribbean Educational Publishers, 2008
Sheldon G. Bleasdell (2008) CSEC New Interactive Geography
Internet References
Ministry Of Agriculture and Fisheries retrieved October 30, 2014
From http:www.moaf.gov.jm
History of Farming in Jamaica
http://www.jamaicahistory.com.jm/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi

Agriculture and consumer protection retrieved on October 24, 2014

http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y0501e/y0501e03.html

APPENDIX