Romaine Hall from Jeffery Town, St Mary will have an easier time cultivating his crops this season. In fact, the 25-year-old farmer’s water woes have ended with the official handover of a rainwater harvesting system from Sean Paul Foundation (SPF) and Food For The Poor (FFP) Jamaica on Friday, September 11, 2020.
Hall is among farmers from each county, who received a system for their quarter acre farm, sponsored by the SPF and facilitated by FFP Jamaica. The other recipients are Livingston and Wangel Warner of Albion Mountain in St. Thomas and Maxine Gordon of Fern District in St. James. Each system, valued at $315,000, includes a rainwater harvesting shed, a 1,000-gallon storage tank with a 55 gallon drum for the application of fertiliser and a gravity feed drip-irrigation system.
Hall’s system is already reaping the benefits. After three days of rain, the tank is already three-quarters full of the life-sustaining element.
For Sean Paul, working with FFP gave him a sense of security.
“I decided to work with FFP Jamaica, because their programmes are geared towards the upliftment of our people and building our country. That’s the same thing I am on,” he said. “They are doing amazing, transparent work. People can see the high standard of help that they have given over the years. I just wanted to partner with someone who knew what they were doing.”
Significant Impact
Hall, the soft spoken former Tacky High School student, has already been using his system.
“I have a quarter acre of tomatoes here. But I have corn, yam and have plans to plant string peas,” said Hall. “I am very thankful to the Sean Paul Foundation and Food For The Poor for what they have done for me. I am a Godly person, so I will plant and God will do the rest.”
Romaine Hall stands in his quarter-acre tomato patch after the handover of his rainwater harvesting and drip irrigation system donated by Sean Paul Foundation and Food For The Poor Jamaica.
Maxwell Roberts, president of the Rising Youth Small Farmer Association of which Hall is a member, looked on with pride at the handover.
“Mi proud fi see what’s happening for Romaine, because before this project, it [the farm] was nothing. Romaine lost crops of tomatoes, sweet peppers and string peas to drought,” Roberts shared. “With this project, Romaine can farm right through the year. Before it would just be six months — the three last months of the year and three first months of the next. The water tank and the drip system will go a long way. This system is his first achievement. It can push him forward.”
FFP Jamaica’s Executive Director Kivette Silvera affirmed that the reach of the project is far-ranging.
“I can categorically say these rainwater harvesting systems will have a significant impact on small farmers. When you think about it, every year you hear about drought in Jamaica and farmers saying that they have suffered losses. If it is not raining, how can they water the farm?,” asked Silvera.
She continued: “So, the rainwater harvesting with drip irrigation system that Sean Paul has donated to farmers across the island will have a great impact. They will now be able to, not only catch water when it rains, but store it. Even when there is no rain, they can continue to water their farm and now have the capability to purchase water.”
Also at the handover was Glemond Grant, Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) extension officer for Carron Hall, St Mary. Grant was on hand to share his technical support and knowledge on pest and disease management, and land husbandry. RADA shared the water harvesting system with drip irrigation prototype that FFP will now include in their list of projects to assist more farmers affected by the harsh drought conditions.
For Sean Paul, though the drought forecasted this year has not materialised, there is definite need for the project.
“Farming is the backbone of the country, and small farmers have been doing their part. This year was projected to be a drought year, we have been blessed with rain, but I am glad that we did it,” he said. “This project will go a long way. To be self-sufficient is an important thing. We will try to do more for other small farmers across the island.”
ABOUT SEAN PAUL FOUNDATION
The Sean Paul Foundation was formed five years ago by international dancehall superstar Sean Paul Henriques CD and his family. The Foundation concentrates on projects which will create income-generating connections to its recipients. The SFP is also committed to making a positive and lasting impact on individuals and communities on our beloved island home.