St. Mary Farmers See Hope as New Irrigation Project Brings Water to Dry Lands

Farming in Jamaica has never been a walk in the park, but for the folks in St. Mary, the last few years have been downright brutal. The dry season came down hard, and plenty of small farmers had to stand by and watch their crops shrivel up under the sun. But now, there’s a new irrigation project bringing fresh water to over 200 acres of farmland in the community of Retrieve, and you can feel the mood shifting.

The project kicked off back in February this year. It’s a partnership between the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF). They pumped in about J$15 million to build two new pump stations, a half-mile of mainline pipe, and a bunch of feeder lines that now carry water straight to individual farms.

One of the farmers reaping the benefits is Mr. Owen "Bushie" Williams. He’s been growing yam and dasheen on his five-acre plot for over 20 years. When our news team caught up with him, he said the change is like night and day.

"Mi nuh have to beg God fi rain no more. The water come right to mi gate. Before, mi used to lose half mi crop every dry season. Now, mi can plant all year round and send mi produce to the market regular. It a give mi a steady income and mi children can go to school without worry."

The system uses drip irrigation, which means water goes straight to the roots of the plants. That saves water and helps the crops grow faster. Farmers are already saying their yam harvest has jumped by about 30% since the water started flowing in March.

But it’s not just about the water. RADA extension officer, Miss Sandra Campbell, says the project also trains farmers on how to use the new system properly. She explained that a lot of farmers were used to just waiting for the rain, so they had to learn how to manage the pipes and schedule their watering times.

"We have about 35 farmers in this cooperative right now. They are learning how to maintain the pumps and how to rotate their crops to keep the soil healthy. It's not just a pipe in the ground; it's a whole new way of farming," Miss Campbell said.

The project is set to expand to another 100 acres in the nearby community of Kent by the end of the year. RADA says they’re also looking at similar systems for farmers in St. Elizabeth and Clarendon, where drought is a serious headache too.

For now, the farmers in Retrieve are keeping their eyes on the present. They’re planting more scallion, pak choi, and sweet potato, knowing the water will be there when they need it. The next big push is to fix up the road into the farming area so trucks can come and haul the produce to markets in Kingston and Ocho Rios without breaking down.

So, what’s the takeaway for other farmers? If you’re struggling with water in your area, reach out to your local RADA office. Ask about community irrigation projects and cooperative water systems. Sometimes, a little planning and a group effort can turn a dry patch of land into a thriving farm.

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