Welcome

Welcome to Farm Up Jamaica 

Farm Up Jamaica Ltd. is a non-profit organization formed to help reduce the importation of foreign food into Jamaica, through the cultivation of organic healthy foods.  Strategic organic  farming of vacant and under-farmed lands will help re-establish the agricultural sector to its maximum potential.  We will work directly with the Jamaican Ministry of Agriculture to research and identify crops that can fill the shortages that exist in the local and export markets. Farm Up Jamaica Ltd will also work alongside the Ministry to identify the markets for crops prior to planting to ensure complete and successful endeavors.

OUR FIRST PROJECT

Our first initiative is the cultivation of organic onions to help fill the gap on importation of onions into Jamaica.   We have devised a concise model for this project, guaranteeing success upon completion.  We will be planting 5 acres of organic onions on a farm in Manchester, Jamaica. Together, we will provide the resources needed...from start to finish.  Upon completing this project we will be closing the gap on importation of onions into Jamaica by 1% for the upcoming year! The great thing about this project is that there is plenty of available, vacant land, so we can expand our project to close more and more of the importation gap as needed.


       ORGANIC ONION PROJECT NEW FOREST, MANCHESTER

    

WHY OUR PROJECT WILL WORK

The demand for onions in the local market is 10,000 tons per year.  Jamaica only produces approximately 1,000 tons per year.  This means that 9,000 tons of onions are currently being imported into Jamaica every year.  The Jamaican population and its economy suffer for two main reasons due to this shortfall: onions are sold locally at higher prices and the quality of the onions is compromised, as non-organic production is the latest trend.  All participating farmers have expressed having patriotic feelings about this project, which will keep them inspired and focused. They are all very excited because they will have access to fresh, organic onions to eat and sell; these farmers realize they are making a huge contribution to their country.  The professional evaluation of the land condition and feasibility has been conducted and the farm has been approved! The scheduled start date for land preparation is December 10, 2013.  We will need to prepare the land with access roads, proper irrigation and all necessary facilities.  A work force has been assembled consisting of core, Farm Up Jamaica Operations Team Members, coupled with paid and volunteer local citizens, inner city youths and students majoring in Agricultural studies.  Our farmers have each received a face-to-face tutorial about the program from our team of Field Directors. We have thoroughly discussed onion production and what it means to the country.  

ORGANIC SCOTCH BONNET PEPPER SEED BANK SANTA CRUZ

TEACHING THE YOUTHS

The farmers and local Farm Up Jamaica workforce will be responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of the farmlands until the time of harvest.  Farm Up Jamaica Ltd. will keep a close eye on the farm and will monitor its progress through onsite Farm Up Jamaica surveillance and field inspectors- who will create monthly progress reports. To avoid potential praedial larceny, motion-detecting-infrared perimeter protection and cameras will be set up to safe guard our project and all surveillance and fencing will be monitored in a central station. Once the time has come to harvest, Farm Up Jamaica staff and locals will participate in the grand reaping process. Pick up and transportation assistance will be provided to move crops to the receiving purchasers, which include resort hotels and restaurants, local farmer's markets, supermarkets and grocery stores. Farm Up Jamaica Ltd. will oversee the payment process to ensure that all involved are paid accordingly.  Lastly, we will also sponsor Farmer's Market events, giving our farmers the opportunity to sell a portion of their produce, directly!

By contributing to this project you are providing 100% assistance to a tangible, transparent initiative that a great deal of people are relying on!  

Ready to make a powerful, positive impact? Your contribution will cover the following:
Seeding
Crates/Bags
Labor
Land Preparation (plowing, harrowing, farrowing)
Trenching
Lay Irrigation Lines
Transplanting
Supply
Natural Insecticide & fungicide application
Natural herbicide
Weeding & Moulding
Water application
Perimeter Protection Equipment/Cameras/Surveillance
Harvest
Transportation to market 

CLICK BELOW TO READ NY TIMES ARTICLE ON THE NEED FOR JAMAICAN AGRICULTURAL COME-BACK  

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/08/04/world/americas/as-cost-of-importing-food-soars-jamaica-turns-to-the-earth.html?_r=0