Challenges in Agriculture

Challenges in Agriculture
Local and regional challenges
In the Caribbean, agriculture is an important part of the

economy and a major employer, particularly in rural
districts. Traditional methods of agriculture are labor
intensive and time consuming. Increasing the use of
machinery in which will improve the contribution to the
Gross National Product (GNP) from agricultural
businesses. Here are some issues that affect the
progress of agriculture across the Caribbean:
1. Climate
Agricultural production is directly affected by climatic

conditions. For any period, production may be high or low
depending on the weather conditions; in the Caribbean
there are two distinct seasons: a dry season and a wet
season.
In the dry season, there is plenty of sunshine and the

temperatures are high, but there is a shortage of water,
especially for crop irrigation. Areas with no water cannot
produce crops during this time, unless the farmers use
climate-smart techniques, for example, growing cassava,
a crop that needs little water.
The wet season has heavy rainfall, cool temperatures,

high humidity and strong winds. Hurricanes are common
during wet season, and the associated floods and strong
winds can damage livestock. Other challenges to
cultivation includes pests and diseases which are common
during the rainy season.
Strategies for coping with climate
● In the dry season, farmers conserve

soil water using cultural practices
such as organic mulching, including
organic matter and
manure in the soil and
transplanting seedlings
into concave ‘pockets’ to
keep the soil water within
the root zone
● In the rainy season,
drainage systems is essential. Farmers use
cambered beds and ridges for crop production, and
prune and stake crops
● The forestry division, another Example of a
part of the government, can help farmers to
establish windbreaks in areas where crops suffer
strong winds.
2. Topography
The topography, or external features of the land,

affects methods of cultivation and crop production.
Farmers prefer to cultivate land which is flat and
undulating because movement of machinery and
equipment for land preparation, crop harvesting and
transportation of produce is easier. However, most of
the Caribbean is hilly and mountainous. There is no
alternatives to the use of manual methods for most
operations in hilly areas.
Mountainous areas have shallow topsoil and are prone to

soil erosion and landslips. Farmers carry strip cropping,
cover cropping, contour and terracing. However these
options are not always easy. The erection of barriers of
stone, wood and grass is expensive although they can help
control soil erosion.
Mechanization allows farmers to complete agricultural

tasks more speedily and efficiently. This increases their
production and profitability. However in the Caribbean
there are limited use of mechanization due to hills and
mountains. Limited use is also made of machinery in land
preparation, milking cows, plucking chickens, application
of pesticides, weed control and crop irrigation.
3. Rural Infrastructure
Infrastructure refers to basic services and installations

needed for a community to function, such as
transportation and communication services, water supply,
electricity and telephones, educational and medical
facilities. However, regionally and nationally, many rural
areas (country-side) still lack an essential infrastructure.
Often there is no incentive for farmers to continue living
in these areas, which they experience hardships because
of few basic amenities.
Farmers want their families to have a better lifestyle
and therefore they often migrate to urban areas. (Rural-
to-urban drift). The governments in Caribbean countries
need to address the needs of farmers in rural
communities. Investment in rural infrastructure is the
pathway to greater agricultural productivity and food
security.
4. Praedial larceny
This is the stealing of agricultural produce, such as crops

and livestock, and it causes severe economic losses to
farmers. This crime deprives farmers of the opportunity
of harvesting what they have planted and nurtured and
robs them of hard-earned dollars. The culprits are not
always caught. In addition, complaints to the police do not
always yield a desirable response. It may be difficult to
identify offenders and bring them justice.
Local and regional governments need to address the

problem with strategies such as:
● Hiring Praedial larceny officers (estate police)

● Imposing more severe fines on offenders
● Raising public awareness of this crime
5. Land tenure systems
Refers to the rights and conditions under which people

hold, own, use, control and enjoy property (land). For the
farmer, land is necessary for agricultural production and
is a vital resource. Some landowners are not interested in
farming the land themselves, but allow farmers to rent it
or enter into a share-cropping management. The farmers
who rent the land are called tenant farmers.
6. Environmental Issues
Farmers interact with the natural environment by

removing vegetation, tilling the soil, introducing new plant
species, spraying with pesticides. Although necessary for
food production, environmentalists worry about the
harmful effects of these farming practices. The major
concerns relevant to agriculture are:
✔ Destruction of ecosystems
✔ Loss of biodiversity
✔ Buildup of pollution
✔ Pesticide resistance

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Challenges in Agriculture

Local and regional challenges

In the Caribbean, agriculture is an important part of the

Agricultural production is directly affected by climatic

In the dry season, there is plenty of sunshine and the

The wet season has heavy rainfall, cool temperatures,

Strategies for coping with climate

● In the dry season, farmers conserve

The topography, or external features of the land,

Mountainous areas have shallow topsoil and are prone to

Mechanization allows farmers to complete agricultural

Infrastructure refers to basic services and installations

This is the stealing of agricultural produce, such as crops

Local and regional governments need to address the

● Hiring Praedial larceny officers (estate police)

5. Land tenure systems

Refers to the rights and conditions under which people

Farmers interact with the natural environment by

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