Successive disasters have North Leeward farmers in a ‘bad spot’

North Leeward farmers are lamenting the constant environmental blows which are draining money from their pockets and threatening their livelihoods with prolonged drought conditions, the eruption of La Soufriere and now the devastation from Hurricane Beryl.

Close to 100 farmers and fishers convened at the Cumberland Playing Field on Monday, August 19, 2024 for the Ministry of Agriculture-led consultation under the UBEC SVG Food Insecurity Project which is being funded by the World Bank. The project aims to establish a sustainable food production system in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG).

“The farmers right now [are] worried about surviving because we are in a bad spot, a really bad spot,” farmer Osbourne Miller told SEARCHLIGHT, on Monday.

Miller who has been a farmer for almost four decades specialising in roots crops and vegetables, said the last few years have been particularly challenging, and now with the impact of the category four hurricane which destroyed his plantains, tomatoes and avocado trees, he is out by thousands of dollars.

“After the hurricane passed I didn’t do much other than planting corn. I trying to rebuild back now with the corn. I sell to the vegetable market. I would say I lost at least $2,000 to $2,500.”

Miller said while farmers across the country work to replant and harvest, Vincentians will most likely have to depend on imported fruits and vegetables from the supermarkets which will be costly.

“If the farmers set off right now, it will take about four months, depending on the crops. If they planting vegetables, it could take up to five months. That is the only alternative, to go to the [supermarkets] and buy because no vegetables out here, especially on the Leeward side.”

In an address from the floor of Parliament one month after the passage of Hurricane Beryl, Minister of Agriculture, Saboto Caesar said preliminary damage assessments paint a grim picture for the agriculture sector in SVG.

Farmer, Glenroy Henry, estimates the damage on his farm from the hurricane to be in the region of $4,000 as he lost bananas, plantains, as well as avocado and cocoa trees.

Henry told SEARCHLIGHT that while North Leeward farmers appreciate the distribution of farming supplies and equipment, what they require now to advance the recovery process is seedlings.

“I think it is a good idea what they are doing here, but for some people, the seedlings is what is important. Giving out the tools is good, but the seedlings are more important because without the seedlings, you can’t farm.”

Henry explained that the impact from the volcanic ash after more than two years is still appearing to have a negative impact on some crops.

“I don’t know if it is the Soufriere ash that rotting the ginger in the earth, so people keep losing. I notice that the tree crops [are] not functioning like before.”

Miller admitted that he too is worried about farmers in North Leeward who are working to get back on their feet as farming is the main source of income for the communities.

“I am worried because food is life. I think they should put more effort into this thing because my community is weak right now because of the volcanic eruption. Much people not working with the government up my side. Most depend on the farming, so if you don’t work on the farming I think our community will get weaker and weaker.”

He called on government to work swiftly to assist farmers and also threw out an invitation for younger persons to get actively involved in agriculture.

“And you have to do things to get people interested, you at the top have to do things that will attract people. I notice people have the farming like it is a nothing thing, but food is life. They have to get serious and put out suggestions so that we can benefit from it.”

The Ministry of Agriculture also held consultations in Richland Park, Penniston, Sandy Bay and Kingstown.