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What are the farming practices used in two peasant farms at Jacks Hill,St.Andrew, Jamaica ? Name: Leighton Thompson Registration number:

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What are the farming practices used in two peasant farms at Jacks Hill,St.Andrew, Jamaica ?

Name: Leighton ThompsonRegistration number:Territory: JamaicaYear of Exam: 2015School: Campion College

TABLE OF CONTENTSAim of Study1Location of study area2Methodology3Presentation and Analysis of data4Conclusion12Bibliography13Appendix14

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

MethodologyOn 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 60- 700 .(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

FIGURE 2. SHOWING MAIN CROPS PLANTED ON FARM TWO

FARMING CYCLEOn 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 almanacprovides 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 CropsCrop NamePlanting TimeReaping TimeGrowing Time

YamAprilJanuaryApprox. 9mths

SugarcaneDry seasonDry season12-15 mths

Sweet potatoRainy seasonAugust9 monts

SorrelApril August All year3 mths

BananaRainy seasonNovember-December1 year

GingerMarchNovember8mths

GungoMarchNovember-December9 mths

Tobaccoanytime

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

Contour PloughingContour 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.( see plate 2)

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 and contour ploughing on farm 1

Crop RotationCrop 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.

MIXED FARMINGMixed 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.

MulchingMulching 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)

IntercroppingMixed 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, mulching and on Farm 1

CONCLUSIONThe 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.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Book References

Bleasdell. S.G (2008) CSEC New Integrated GeographyTrinidad: Caribbean Educational Publishers, 2008

Niles, J. (2005) Modern Caribbean Geography (3rd edition)Oxford: Macmillan Education Limited

Ragoonana, S (2001) CXC Agriculture Revision Course (3rd edition)Trinidad: Caribbean Education Publishers

Rahil, V.A.M (2010) Complete Geography Course for CSECTrinidad: Caribbean Education Publishers

Rowe, V. (2002) CXC Lecture Series- GeographyKingston: Jamaica Observer Limited

Internet References

Ministry Of Agriculture and Fisheries retrieved October 30, 2014From http:www.moaf.gov.jm

History of Farming in Jamaicahttp://www.jamaicahistory.com.jm/cgi-sys/suspendedpage.cgi

Agriculture and consumer protection retrieved on October 24, 2014http://www.fao.org/docrep/004/y0501e/y0501e03.html

Contour Ploughing retrieved on October 30, 2014http://global.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/135192/contour-farming

McDonalds Almanac retrieved on October 29, 2014http://farmersalmanac.com/calendar/gardening/

APPENDIX