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to bring about sustainable farming practices especially during After REDI INTERVENTION
drought conditions, through the efficient utilization of limited
natural resources. The anticipated improvements in the farming
approach would by extension contribute to domestic food security
and greater consistency in yield and pricing of the crops produced.

In 2016, JSIF/REDI intervention provided
• 690 half acre drip irrigation kits
• 1,380 one-thousand gallon water storage tanks
• 3,450 harvesting crates
• Nine months business mentorship and farmer field school

training

Through this intervention, the REDI project was able to strengthen
the resilience of 690 open-field vegetable farmers in South St
Elizabeth, especially in the areas of Ballards Valley, Tryall, Top Hill,
Banton Town, Flagaman, Ridge/Red Bank and Essex Valley. The
use of the drip irrigation equipment resulted in a dramatic shift
in how farmers irrigate and apply fertilizer to plants. Farmers no
longer spend long hours manually watering their crops and also
have shifted from hand application of granular dry blend fertilizers
to soluble and liquid fertilizers using the drip system. This enabled
the crops to make maximum use of the nutrients as the fertilizer
applied is in a form suitable for uptake by the roots. In addition,
expensive water is now being used more efficiently by the farmers
thus reducing the overall cost of production. The farmers are
seeing the benefits of drip irrigation with an over 60% increase in
vegetable production. Many have since invested in additional drip
lines and the adoption of the technology. In the words of Mr. Deen
Elliot from the Ballards Valley Farmers Benevolent Society, “I have
been in farming for 40 years and it is the first time that something
is being done to change the way how wi farm in South (South St.
Elizabeth)”.

BEFORE REDI INTERVENTION

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