FARMING & SUSTAINABILITY

GSCF supports "Permaculture' in 9 Mile.

9 Mile is located in the parish of St. Ann, in the middle of the island of Jamaica (Google Earth location). The valleys are bauxite rich soil (red dirt) and the hills are rocky limestone. The area is known as “Dry Mountain” as there is no natural reservoir for water collection. Water is collected in the village tank during the rainy season. The tank usually is emptied early in the dry season and for month after month the people and the farmers are desperate for water.

9 Mile

The local farms produce the following in abundance: Yam, Sweet Potato, Cassava, Breadfruit, Banana, Plantain, Coconut, Avocado, Coffee, Papaya, Cabbage etc. What is not eaten is sent to market in Kingston and the farmers get a pittance for their labor… not enough to support their families.
With the assistance of RADA (Rural Agricultural Development Authority) GSCF introduced “Lion’ Fruit” (aka Dragon Fruit) to the village. The fruit of this cactus, requiring very little water, thrives on rocky soil and sells for US$5.00 to $25.00 per lb in the US and Europe. The nursery has now been established and in the next couple of years, there will be cuttings available to the local farmers.
A tractor has been donated to the local community, and now for the cost of the driver and fuel, the local farmer can have his field ploughed in 1 day while he prepares his crop for planting, instead of spending one to two months in manually digging up his field.