AGRICULTURE

Form 2: Peasant Farming and Commercial Arable Farming

Characteristics, Problems and Solutions
 AIMS

• Briefly discuss the characteristics and problems faced by peasant farmers in the Caribbean
• Suggest 5 possible solutions to remedy problems faced by peasant farmers
• Describe plantation agriculture- characteristics, problems, possible solutions – in the
Caribbean
PEASANT FARMING IN THE CARIBBEAN
Characteristics, Problems and Solutions
 PEASANT FARMING
INTRODUCTION

• This is the rearing of animals and/ or the planting of crops on a small area of land,
some for sale on the local market and the rest for the family.
• It is a system of farming where the surplus made by the farmer is sold in markets
as a source of income. (some for sale and family use)
CHARACTERISTICS OF PEASANT FARMING IN THE CARIBBEAN
 PEASANT FARMING
CHARACTERISTICS

• Farmers grow a variety of crops and or raise a variety of animals.

• The area of land small is less than 1.2 hectares
• Family labour is utilised as the farmer cannot afford to hire workers
• Hand tools such as digging sticks, cutlasses and animal-driven instruments are used
• Farmers utilise organic or natural fertilizers
PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH PEASANT FARMING
IN THE CARIBBEAN
 PROBLEMS ASSOCIATED WITH
PEASANT FARMING IN THE CARIBBEAN

• There are no guaranteed prices for the items produced therefore there are low profits.
• There is a lack of transport or a poor transportation network.
• Crops are regularly destroyed by insects, pests and diseases.
• Praedial Larceny or the stealing of crops occur on farms that are located far away.
• A lack of proper storage causes fresh produce to spoil easily.
• Natural hazards tend to destroy crops. E.g. hurricane, floods and droughts
SOLUTIONS FOR PEASANT FARMING
IN THE CARIBBEAN
 SOLUTIONS FOR PEASANT FARMING
IN THE CARIBBEAN

• To have loans easily available from government institutions and banks.

• Have trade agreement with companies to guarantee proper prices
• Purchase of machinery, makes the workload easier
• Improve the transport network systems, having better roads and purchasing vehicles
makes moving the crops from field to market easier
• The use of pesticides and insecticides can help to combat insects and diseases and
the use of artificial fertilisers improve the overall soil fertility
DESCRIBE PLANTATION AGRICULTURE IN THE CARIBBEAN

characteristics, problems, possible solutions

LET’S GO TO THE HANDOUT