Grace Smith and her husband, Tedius, go through the rows of sweet peper plants at their greenhouse in Mafoota, St James. - Photo by Mark TitusMark Titus, Gleaner Writer WESTERN BUREAU: Despite a decline in business over the past year, veteran farmer Grace Smith is determined to make the best of the opportunities given to her. "I simply love farming. It gives me a sense of satisfaction. The freedom of being your own boss is something more valuable than anything money can buy," she said when Western Focus visited her farm in Mafoota, St James, on Tuesday. "I have been a farmer for almost 30 years. If it was not for the love of agriculture, I would have left a long time, but this is my life. I would not do anything else." Smith cultivates vegetables and is a leading member of the Mafoota Farmers' Cooperative, formed over a decade ago. She benefited from a supply deal under the Sandals-Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) project. As part of the project, the hotel provides the farmers with vegetable seeds and marketing opportunities, while RADA assists with technical support. Supplying some of the more prominent resorts in the region, Smith and her husband, Tedius, have established themselves as among the most reliable suppliers of fresh vegetables. Cabbage, carrots, callaloo, lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, and other produce from the farm make their way, not only to the hotels, but also to local markets for consumers. Demand shrinking Smith's career in farming, which began in the 1970s, has managed to school her six children. However, things have not been the same in recent times, with requests for produce from her seven and a half acres farm declining. "Farming is a challenge. Sometimes it is good, but sometimes it is bad," she said pensively. "It is hard to invest so much in fertiliser, pesticides, and all that is needed to produce crops at the level that it is needed but not have enough market to supply." Apart from fulfilling their contractual obligations, the Smiths can be found at the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, St James, each week. "With the fluctuation in demand, we have to do everything to get our produce out there. So when you come to the market, just ask for the lady with the best callaloo, and they will all point to me," Smith stated. blog comments powered by Saturday, January 14, 2012
Cultivating the best of opportunities - Farmers diversify crops to gain new markets - Jamaica Gleaner
Grace Smith and her husband, Tedius, go through the rows of sweet peper plants at their greenhouse in Mafoota, St James. - Photo by Mark TitusMark Titus, Gleaner Writer WESTERN BUREAU: Despite a decline in business over the past year, veteran farmer Grace Smith is determined to make the best of the opportunities given to her. "I simply love farming. It gives me a sense of satisfaction. The freedom of being your own boss is something more valuable than anything money can buy," she said when Western Focus visited her farm in Mafoota, St James, on Tuesday. "I have been a farmer for almost 30 years. If it was not for the love of agriculture, I would have left a long time, but this is my life. I would not do anything else." Smith cultivates vegetables and is a leading member of the Mafoota Farmers' Cooperative, formed over a decade ago. She benefited from a supply deal under the Sandals-Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) project. As part of the project, the hotel provides the farmers with vegetable seeds and marketing opportunities, while RADA assists with technical support. Supplying some of the more prominent resorts in the region, Smith and her husband, Tedius, have established themselves as among the most reliable suppliers of fresh vegetables. Cabbage, carrots, callaloo, lettuce, zucchini, yellow squash, and other produce from the farm make their way, not only to the hotels, but also to local markets for consumers. Demand shrinking Smith's career in farming, which began in the 1970s, has managed to school her six children. However, things have not been the same in recent times, with requests for produce from her seven and a half acres farm declining. "Farming is a challenge. Sometimes it is good, but sometimes it is bad," she said pensively. "It is hard to invest so much in fertiliser, pesticides, and all that is needed to produce crops at the level that it is needed but not have enough market to supply." Apart from fulfilling their contractual obligations, the Smiths can be found at the Charles Gordon Market in Montego Bay, St James, each week. "With the fluctuation in demand, we have to do everything to get our produce out there. So when you come to the market, just ask for the lady with the best callaloo, and they will all point to me," Smith stated. blog comments powered by
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