WHAT ARE THE PROBLEMS FACED BY

PEASANT FARMERs IN ROEHAMPTON,

ST.JAMES, JAMAICA?

BY: TONI THOMAS

SCHOOL: MT. ALVERNIA HIGH SCHOOL
YEAR: 2014
TERRITORY: JAMAICA
REGION #: 100081

TABLE OF CONTENTS

TITLE
PAGE
AIM AND LOCATION OF STUDY.. 1
METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION.5
PRESENTATION OF DATA..6
CONCLUSION............12
BIBLIOGRAPHY13
APPENDIX..14

AIM OF STUDY

The aim of the study is to identify and explain the problems faced by peasant farmers in
Roehampton, St. James, Jamaica.

LOCATION OF STUDY

Roehampton

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

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1FF

HOW?
The researcher used questionnaires to collect information on peasant farming in Roehampton. A
total of 15 questionnaires were given to peasant farmers in the area. Applying random
sampling technique, 2 farmers were selected and interviewed. Intermittent visits
were made to the site for observation. In addition pictures of the site were taken with each visit.
Textbooks and the internet were also consulted to acquire additional information.
WHEN?
On September 5, 2013 at 4:00 pm, the researcher visited the site for observation and
sketch maps were drawn.
On September 7, 2013 between 3:30 pm and 4:30 pm, 15 questionnaires were issued to
peasant farmers in Roehampton. The questionnaires were collected as soon as they were
filled out.
On September 8, 2013, at 3:00 pm, interviews were conducted with 2 peasant farmers in
Roehampton.
On September 10, 2013 at 3:30 pm, pictures of the site were taken.
Between September 12, 2013 and September 19, 2013 books were consulted at
approximately 7:00 pm each night.
Researches were conducted on the internet between September 22, 2013 and September
29, 2013 at approximately 7:30 pm each night.

WHERE?
The area of study on which the research was conducted was in Roehampton, St. James, Jamaica.

PRESENTATION OF DATA
Roehampton is located in the Western part of the parish
5 of St. James, approximately 20.2 kilometers to
the south of the Central Business District of the capital Montego Bay. Its geographical coordinates are 18

23' 0" North, 77 54' 0" West. Extensive areas of highland, generally a few feet in depression are the
dominant topographic features of this vicinity. Roehampton is a rural community with approximately 780
residents who are either engaged in farming, transportation (drivers of taxis, buses), vending, automobile
repair, to name a few. However, farming is the major economic activity in the area. The major types of
farming practiced are subsistence farming and peasant farming. There are no rivers in the community.
Peasant farming is a prominent activity done in Roehampton. Farming in Roehampton is done on a small
scale. The average landholding is between 1-2 acres. Survey revealed that 30 per cent of the farmers have
been farming for 4 6 years, 20 per cent for 7 9 years and 50 per cent for over 10 years (figure 4).

Bar Chart Showing how long the farmers in Roehampton have been farming

Figure 4. Bar chart showing how long the farmers in Roehampton have been farming.

Most of the farmers in Roehampton are elders. There are more male farmers than female farmers.
According to the results gathered from the questionnaire, 70 per cent of the farmers are aged between 40
and 65 years with 75 per cent of them being males.
A variety of crops are cultivated by the farmers. They include vegetables, bananas, sugarcanes, tree crops
such as coconuts, oranges and papayas, and ground provisions such as sweet potatoes and yams. On some
of the rocky slopes, the farmers grow crops such as pumpkin and cucumbers which are able to spread
6
over the rocks. Of these the main crops cultivated are bananas, vegetables, sugarcanes and pumpkins.

Livestock are also reared by some of the farmers in Roehampton. Goats are of the majority in the area.
Survey revealed that 80 per cent of the farmers rear goats.
The farmers are engaged in different types of farming. These include mixed farming; the cultivation of
crops and the rearing of animals on the sane farm, intercropping; the planting of crops between main
crops and livestock which is the rearing of animals. The survey showed that 85 per cent of the farmers are
engaged in mixed farming, 10 per cent engaged in livestock and the remaining 5 per cent are engaged in
intercropping (figure 5).

Pie Chart Showing the Percentage of Farmers that are Engaged in the Different Farming Types

10%

5%

Mixed farming
Livestock
Intercropping
85%

Figure 5. The percentage of farmers that are engaged in the different farming types.

The farmers in Roehampton sell their produce on a daily basis to different persons. The goods are sold to
small shops, schools and restaurants in the area, community members and higglers in and out of the
community. The farmers sometimes carry their produce to the market and sell the goods themselves.
Transportation is very useful to farming in Roehampton. It is by this means that the farmers produce reach
their target markets so that they can earn their income. The major forms of transporting the goods are by
cars and mini buses. According to the results gathered by the questionnaire 58 per cent of the farmers use
cars or buses as a means of transporting their produce while the remaining percentage uses their hands or
donkeys to transport their produce.
7

Farmers in Roehampton are faced with a number of problems. One of these is praedial larceny which is
the thieving of produce from the farm. According to the survey it is the major problem affecting 45 per
cent of the farmers (figure 6) because their landholdings are distant from their homes.

Column Chart Showing the Percentage of the Farmers that are Affected by the Major Problems

Figure 6.The percentage of farmers that are affected by the major problems

Praedial larceny is so serious that the farmers sleep in a shelter when a crop is ready to be harvested. This
problem is very discouraging to the farmers who, at times are said to abandon their farms and seek
alternative occupations. It was stated that when the farmers are robbed of their produce, thousands of
dollars are being lost to the thieves who in turn sell the stolen goods. In addition, the thieves leave the
farms in deplorable conditions and the repairing of these farms is said to be very stressful and costly.

Insect pests and disease is another problem. Plant diseases such as lethal yellowing which affects mostly
the coconut trees in the area (figure 7), panama disease, witches broom disease and leaf spot disease are
the most common in the area. Beetles are the most common insect affecting yams in the area.
8

Figure 7. Lethal yellowing in a coconut tree on the farm.

According to the survey, lethal yellowing affects crops of 15 per cent of the farmers, witches broom
disease affects the crops of 20 per cent, leaf spot disease affects 35 per cent and 30 per cent of the farmers
responded that they are victims of the panama disease (figure 8). The farmers in Roehampton face severe
losses because their tree crops and ground provisions are affected by insect pests and diseases. Most of
the times they are unable to take precautionary methods or to apply pesticides due to their low income.

Line Chart showing the Percentage of the Farmers affected by the Most Common Diseases in Roehampton

Figure 8. The percentage of the farmers that are affected by the most common disease in Roehampton.

The peasant farmers are rarely placed at a disadvantage by being victims of various animal diseases.
Some livestock diseases are screwworm which affects the goats and cows and avian flu which affects the
chickens. When these diseases are in existence the plants and animals sometimes die which leads to lower
yields. It was stated that plants sometimes produce less as a result of these diseases and animals may not
reproduce as a result of the illnesses. In addition, when yields decrease or crops and herds are lost, the
incomes from these produce decrease as well. It was also stated that the measures used to control these
diseases are very expensive. Some of these costs include the costs of inspections, monitoring and
prevention. Luckily, little or no money is spent on curing the screwworm disease as Animal Health
Inspectors (employed by the Ministry of Agriculture) issue screwworm powder to the farmers.

Lack of capital is also another problem. It is not easy for the farmers in Roehampton to obtain extra
finance for investment, or to see the farm through a bad period. The farmers have to produce enough food
for most of their families needs. They must have enough for sale to provide income to purchase farm
equipment, clothing and a whole range of other items. This , however, is not an easy task. Most of the
peasant farmers work very hard, and at the end of the year their total income may not add up to very
much. They tend to experience this problem either because their goods are not sold at a cost where they
can acquire profits or the quantity of their produce were not enough. As a result they face challenges in
purchasing fertilizers and other equipment or even paying back their loans. Due to the insufficient capital
to purchase large equipment and other machinery, 100
simple tools such as the hoe, cutlass and fork are used
instead and as a result the farmers are unable to increase production and save time and cost in production.
An additional problem is drought. Rainfall in Roehampton, at times, tends to be low and most of the
times there is a lack of adequate water supply from pipes. Most of these farmers have no proper irrigation
system and most of the times the river in the neighboring community; Mafoota, runs low to supply the
farmers with water. This problem causes a decrease in the farmers income because the crops tend to dry
up due to the drought so little produce is sold. This leads to the farmers experiencing the problem of a
lack of capital which further leads to the difficulty maintaining the farms. 20 per cent of the farmers
responded that drought is the problem that affects them the most.
As a result of the problems faced on the farms, the farmers are therefore faced with various types of
difficulties regarding their homes and families, the major being the paying of electricity and water bills.

This difficulty, according to the survey is faced by 80 per cent of the farmers. Other difficulties include
sending children to school and providing necessary things for the home.
Over the years the government lends a helping hand to peasant farmers in Jamaica. The farmers in
Roehampton have benefitted enormously from this help. The survey revealed that 20 per cent of the
farmers got loans from the bank to help with the maintenance of their farms, 40 per cent received farming
equipment such as fertilizers and seedlings, 15 per cent was given markets for their produce and 25
percent of the farm ers were given verbal advice and invitations to farming seminars (figure 9).

Column Chart Showing the help given to the Farmers by RADA

Figure 9. The help given to the farmers by RADA

CONCLUSION

11
Peasant farming in Roehampton is very predominant. Many of the farmers have been farming for many
years hence majority of the farmers are elders. The land acquired by the farmers is very small as the
average land holding is between 1 2 acres. Various crops are grown by the farmers, the major being
banana, vegetables, sugarcane and pumpkin. The farmers are engaged in various farming which includes
mixed farming, intercropping and livestock. Most of the farmers sell their produce within the community
while the others sell their produce outside of the community. As a result transportation is a vital factor in
acquiring income from their produce. Transportation by cars and buses are mainly used.
The problems faced by peasant farmers have been identified and explained. It can be concluded that the
peasant farmers in Roehampton are being faced with various problems which include praedial larceny,
insect pest and diseases, maintaining their farm and drought. Praedial larceny results due to the distant
location of the farms. As a result of this the farmers are placed at a disadvantage because when their

produce are deprived from them, a lot of money is being lost and the despicable condition of the farm is
costly to repair. Insect pest and diseases is one of the main challenges affecting the peasant farmers. The
diseases and insects which affect their crops on a regular basis cause a decrease in the produce that they
sell therefore, low income is earned. One of the main insects affecting the crops are beetles which target
yams in the area and one of the main disease affecting almost every crop is the leaf spot disease. The
farmers, however, are seldom affected by animal diseases. These plant and animal diseases are very costly
to control but the farmers are lucky to be provided with screwworm powder to cure the screwworm
disease. Due to low income from the farms, the peasant farmers have difficulty in maintaining their farm.
As a result farming equipment is rarely purchased and machineries are not used. Equipment such as the
cutlass and hoe are used instead and these are time consuming so production is not increased. In
Roehampton, rainfall tends to be very low which creates a situation of drought. Often times, there is a
lack of water from pipes and rivers run low during this period. As a result the crops dry up, leaving the
farmers with little produce to sell, decreasing their income.
Due to these problems faced by the peasant farmers, they sometimes experience difficulties in the home,
the major difficulty being the paying of electricity and water bills. In spite of these problems, there are
organizations which are committed to helping these peasant farmers. One such organization is Rural
Agricultural Development agency (RADA). They offer their help by distributing farming equipment,
providing potential customers and giving verbal advice along with invitation to farming seminars.

Questionnaire
12
Instruction: Please place a tick () to the response of your choice and fill the blank space where necessary.
1. Gender
Male [ ]
2. To what age group do you belong?
20 24 years [ ]
25 35 years [ ]
36 44 years [ ]
45 65 years [ ]
66 years and over [ ]
3. How long have you been farming?
1 3 years [ ]
4 6 years [ ]
7 9 years [ ]
10 years and over [ ]

Female [ ]

4. What is the size of you farm?

1 2 acres [ ]
3 4 acres [ ]
5 7 acres [ ]
Over 8 acres [ ]
5. Depending on the size of your farm, which of the following tools or machine do you commonly
use on your farm?
Hoe [ ]
Cutlass [ ]
Tractor [ ]
Plough [ ]
Other_______________________________________________________________________
6. What type of farming are you engaged in?
Mixed [ ]
Livestock [ ]
Monocropping [ ]
7. Is your farm holding near your home?
Yes [ ]
No [ ]
8. What type of crops do you cultivate?
Vegetables [ ]
Ground provisions [ ]
Tree crops [ ]
Other________________________________________________________________________
9. What kind of animals do you rare?
Cattle [ ]
Poultry [ ]
Goats [ ]
No animals [ ]
Other________________________________________________________________________
10. To whom do you sell your produce?
Small shops [ ]
Schools and restaurant [ ]
Community members [ ]
Higglers [ ]
Other _______________________________________________________________________
11. How do you transport your produce?
Car [ ]
Bus [ ]
Donkey [ ]
By hand [ ]
Other _________________________________________________________________________
12. Which of these problems most affect you?

Praedial larceny [ ]
Pests, insects and diseases
Lack of capital [ ]
Drought [ ]
Transport of produce [ ]

BIBLIOGRAPH

[ ]

13. What type of disease are you affected by?

Leaf spot [ ]
Lethal yellowing [ ]
Witches broom disease [ ]
Panama disease [ ]
14. Due to the problems faced in farming, what are some of the difficulties faced in maintaining your
family?
Paying bills [ ]
Providing food [ ]
Send child or children to school [ ]
Other________________________________________________________________________
15. How do you solve the problems that you face on your farm?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
16. What kind of help is provided by the government?
Loan from bank [ ]
Farming equipment (fertilisers, seedlings) [ ]
Markets for your produce [ ]
Verbal advice / farming seminars [ ]
Other _________________________________________________________________________

Chinnery Louis et al. CXC Biology, Published by Cambridge University Press, 2001, New York
Guinness Paul et al. Geography for CSEC, Published by Nelson Thornes, 2008, UK
Rahil Vohn A.M. New Caribbean Geography, Published by Caribbean Educational Publishers, 2005,
Trinidad
www.maplandia.com/jamaica/saint-james/roehampton

APPEN
DIX

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