Sustainable Hydroponics Production to Increase Food Security in Jamaica

Kingston, Jamaica - The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Government of Mexico and the Government of Jamaica have come together to empower farmers with the tools and expertise to become more climate resilient. The collaboration stems from the ‘Addressing the Water-Energy-Food Nexus’ (WEF) sub-project of the Mexico-CARICOM-FAO “Cooperation for Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience in the Caribbean” or Resilient Caribbean Initiative in short. The project is funded by the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID). 

As a result, 15 farmers and four government officers were recently trained in sustainable hydroponics production systems, which included the distribution of solar powered irrigation systems, rainwater harvesting, and storage facilities for sustainable open field production. Three of these farmers were selected to receive solar-powered hydroponics systems which will also provide data for the Government of Jamaica. 

Director of Agro Investment Corporations (AIC) Agro Parks, Anthony Trought indicated, “The management team at AIC is quite pleased that the Agro Park Farmers were involved in this futuristic move towards incorporating hydroponics production in their food production systems. These three farmers will be the catalyst that drive the change from conventional farming to a sustainable, climate resilient productions on the Agro Parks.   We are also delighted that the project was intentional in involving women and youth as beneficiaries, as this aligns with the Government of Jamaica’s mandate to increase the involvement of youth and women in a technologically advanced Agricultural Sector.” 

Sustainable hydroponics solution will address some of the re-occurring challenges of climate change in Jamaica including sporadic and heavy rains as well as extended dry season/drought. The main features of the innovation include a re-circulating system, which enables the controlled distribution of nutrient solution via a solar powered pump. The nutrient solution is transported throughout the system to the plant’s roots, then the excess nutrient is again collected in a reservoir and re-circulated through the system. This process reduces the amount of water and nutrients used. It also lessens the economic and environmental impacts associated with nutrient leaching that can occur in unsustainable open field production.  

FAO National Project Coordinator, Princess Lee stated, “Hydroponics Production is one of the best answers to the current drought and climate change challenges facing our farmers worldwide. The Farmers at Amity Hall Agro Park have been trained in the principles and practices to produce a wide range of vegetable crops efficiently and effectively. Three farmers at Amity Hall Agro Park will receive hydroponic systems under the AMEXCID Water-Energy-Food Nexus project. This technological approach to production on the Agro Park in St. Catherine is new and welcomed by the farmers.” 

Farmer at Amity Hall Park, Dwayne Howell shared, “The WEF training program, particularly the introduction to sustainable hydroponics production has changed my perspective as to how to approach growing crops on my farm.  I have been enlightened to the benefits of hydroponic production to environment and water conservation, as well as the opportunity for better quality production and higher yields. The incorporation of technology in hydroponics farming has piqued my interest as a Youth in agriculture. It gives me hope that the current risk from climate change that affects food security faced in the Caribbean and around the world, may be reduced with use of hydroponics technology and principles.” 

Water, energy, and food are essential for human well-being, poverty reduction and sustainable development.  Water is used for agricultural production, forestry, and fishery, along the entire agri-food supply chain, and it is used to produce or transport energy in different forms. At the same time, the food production and supply chain consume about 30 percent of total energy consumed globally. Energy is required to produce, transport, and distribute food as well as to extract, pump, lift, collect, transport and treat water. This technical training helps build a local knowledge base and capacity for the sustainable use of this nexus.    

FAO Representative for Jamaica Dr. Crispim Moreira reiterated FAO’s commitment to supporting innovative projects to advance sustainable agriculture. Dr. Moreira noted the hydroponics system would be an ideal way of producing quality crops without climatic and economic constraints to place farmers at a disadvantage. 

The ‘Resilient Caribbean Initiative’ seeks to prepare a productive environment for the use of hydroponic systems in Jamaica. The successful training of farmers in the areas of building, operating, and maintaining solar-powered irrigation system as well as how to monitor their agricultural production is critical to achieving this goal.