Agricultural system
By Marjorie Henry, Contributor

FOR SEVERAL weeks now, I have been reviewing Agricultural System. Two of the three farming systems that come under this topic have already been done, namely, Commercial Arable and Commercial Pastoral. Today I will go on to the last one, that of Peasant Farming.

In contrast to the other farming systems already discussed, in peasant farming, the farming activity is on a self-sufficient basis and farmers grow food only for themselves and their families. Very little leaves the farm and every farmer produces practically the same range of crops as his neighbour. Where there are surpluses, they are sold for cash. At the same time, there are peasant farmers who produce crops which are exported through agencies or marketing boards.

PEASANT FARMING

Peasant farming is predominant in the Caribbean. We need now to look at the characteristics of this system in the Caribbean. This information is available for us in one of the recommended textbooks for Geography, namely, Principles of Geography For CXC by London and Senior. The main points are tabulated below:-

* The farms themselves are usually very small. Most peasant farmers have less than 5 acres of land under cultivation.

* In some cases the farms are also fragmented.

* There is mixed farming. In addition to growing a variety of crops, the farmers often rear some livestock as well.

* The peasant farmer may help maintain soil fertility by using animal droppings as manure.

* Methods of cultivation on peasant farms are usually simple, with much of the work being done by hand.

* The farmer and his family do most of the work, with little use being made by hired labour except on the larger peasant farms.

* Commonly used tools include the cutlass (machete) and the hoe.

* In some parts of the Caribbean, mixed cropping is widely practised by peasant farmers. A wide variety of food crops grown. They include cereal crops, root crops, vegetables and tree crops.

* When the farmer produces a surplus for sale, he may dispose of it in several ways. He may sell it himself by the roadside outside of the farm or higglers may purchase from him to resell in the market. In some countries, the government assists the peasant farmers to dispose of his surplus. This is done through marketing agencies.

APPROACHING QUESTIONS ON PEASANT FARMING

Invariably, a question on peasant farming requires that you describe the characteristics of this system in a named Caribbean territory. This means that you cannot just give the general characteristics of peasant farming but rather, you must refer to a specific country in the Caribbean and state what is happening there. As you read on the topic, be very aware of this. I have always encouraged you to refer to what is happening in your own country, as far as possible. So, let me share with you a bit on the Jamaican situation.

* There are small plots of land, about 5 acres or less. These small plots may be fragmented. Fragmentation may have been caused by the fact that the land was handed down from one generation to another.

* Marginal lands are used which are usually stony and has thin soil.

* Cash crops are grown. These are crops grown for a quick turn over or quick returns of money, and include vegetables, peas, beans, grains, roots and tubers.

* There is a lack of irrigation facilities and the farmer depends on rainfall for his water supply. Rainfall is seasonal and low in some areas.

* Some planting materials are lacking as they are expensive and the farmer is unable to acquire them. These include chemicals (insecticides and fungicides) and spraying equipment.

* Simple tools are used. These include the hoe, fork and cutlass.

* The farmer and his family provide labour. To hire labourers is costly and is hardly done.

* Where there is surplus, this is sold either by the farmer himself taking the provisions to the market or higglers buying from the farmer to resell.

* With the limited income from the small plots of land, the peasant farmer sometimes has to depend on outside income to aid his living condition. Consequently, he seeks employment seasonally or full time.

The topic continues next week. Keep reading on it.