Small farmers in Kitson Town benefit from IRL project

Small farmers in Kitson Town, St. Catherine, are reporting significant improvements in their livelihoods, as an agricultural initiative helps to strengthen community ties and expand economic opportunities.

They credit the Improving Rural Livelihoods through Resilient Agri-food Systems (IRL) Project, a US$1 million initiative funded by the Government of India under a South-South Cooperation arrangement, through the India – United Nations Development Partnership Fund. The project is implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Government of Jamaica.

The programme aims to strengthen rural economies by equipping small farmers with the skills and tools needed to operate successfully in a climate-sensitive and evolving agricultural sector. Central to the initiative is the belief that access to knowledge and opportunity can empower farmers to become catalysts for sustainable community development.

For Carole Morgan, a long-time Kitson Town resident, the project has been transformative. Previously engaged in small-scale poultry farming, she says the training significantly expanded her knowledge of animal husbandry.

“I was rearing my chickens, but I gained more experience in caring for my animals, which I didn’t know before,” she said during a recent certification ceremony at the Spring Village Community Centre. “I am very proud and truly happy.”

Her experience mirrors that of many others, particularly women, who make up the majority of the programme’s approximately 200 beneficiaries. Participants received training in goat and pig rearing, poultry production, beekeeping, and other agricultural practices, helping them diversify income streams and reduce exposure to market and environmental risks.

The initiative has also delivered unexpected social benefits. Constable Ralston McCalla of the Guanaboa Vale Police Station said the programme helped him develop practical skills in goat husbandry, including assisting with births.

“It amazes me to see the things I learned from this programme,” he said, noting that colleagues now jokingly call him “Dr. McCalla”.

More significantly, he said shared participation in the training helped to build stronger relationships between community members and law-enforcement officers, fostering cooperation and trust.

FAO Project Manager Inessa Salomão explained that the initiative goes beyond farming techniques, incorporating entrepreneurship, food-safety practices, and climate-smart agriculture.

“Participants were equipped with livestock technologies, water-harvesting systems, and protected agriculture,” she said, emphasising that the overall goal is long-term, sustainable livelihoods.

Climate resilience is a core focus, particularly as Caribbean agriculture faces increasing threats from drought, extreme weather, and climate variability.

For Devon Thompson, President of the Kitson Town Community Development Committee (CDC), the certification ceremony represented the start of a new chapter.

“This is the beginning of a transformative journey for many women and a few men in the community,” he said, noting that the knowledge gained will have lasting benefits beyond individual participants.

FAO Representative Dr. Ana Touza, said the project aligns with the organisation’s “Four Betters” framework: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and ultimately, a better life.

Representing the Government of India, High Commissioner Mayank Joshi praised the programme and reaffirmed support for initiatives that promote women’s participation in agriculture, describing it as essential to sustainable development.

With farmer leaders and extension officers now trained, and plans underway for additional tools and advanced technologies, stakeholders say the transformation unfolding in Kitson Town is just getting started.