Assessment of hillside agriculture in two watersheds of Jamaica

Presented herein are recommendations by a multidisciplinary team (an economist, two anthropologists, a soils scientist, and an agroforester) for improving Jamaican hillside agricultural systems and programs, especially those affecting small farmers. The recommendations are based upon assessments of agricultural problems in Rio Cobre and Rio Minho watersheds. The report discloses a picture of widespread inefficiencies in land allocation, crop production, and marketing which past development activities have not been able to overcome; it emphasizes the complexity of the farmers" situation and their relative inability to respond appropriately due to ecological, economic, and social factors. Simultaneous actions are recommended to rationalize land use patterns, improve marketing methods, stimulate the development of a new farm leadership group, and improve practical farmer training in the face of a diminishing extension force. Techniques for implementation of the recommendations are outlined. Technical reports prepared by each of the team members comprise the bulk of the volume.