Characteristics of Peasant/Small- scale farming:

1. SIZE OF HOLDINGS/LAND: peasant farms usually use small land sizes, around 1.2
hectares. For example in Jamaica, most peasant farms are less than .4 hectares in size.
2. LOCATION: peasant farms are usually found in marginal areas, where the soil is
eroded and infertile. This is because peasant farmers are landless and have to plant
wherever land is available.
3. LABOUR: peasant farms mains source of labour is from the family of the farmer
which is usually less than 10 persons. The labour is manual and very intensive
(application of fertilizers, weeding and harvesting).
4. TOOLS: peasant farms use simple, traditional tools such as the hoe, fork and cutlass.
There is little to no machinery and technology due to lack of capital.
5. CAPITAL: peasant farmers receive little to no capital as their yields are small and
there is little surplus to be sold.
6. MARKETING AND TRANSPORT: most peasant farms sell to local markets and to
local boards such as NAMDEVCO in Trinidad.
7. PRACTICES: peasant farms usually plant several crops. There is mixed farming (
both crops and livestock)
Importance of Agriculture in the Caribbean:
1.