The Sustainability of Jamaican Small Traditional Farmers in Relation to the Impact of Economic Globalization

PRESENTER: KIRKLAND ANDERSON

CONTENT

INTRODUCTION

METHODOLOGY

RESULTS & DISCUSSIONS

CONCLUSIONS

This research focused on the traditional small farmers of Jamaica who grow the following agricultural crops: sugar, bananas, coffee, citrus, pimento, cocoa and coconut on one to five acres of land.

INTRODUCTION

Small farms have been viewed as an obstacle to be overcome in the process of economic development. They have been labelled as unproductive, inefficient and backward. The American model of large scale, mechanized, corporate agriculture is held out as the best, if not the only way to feed the world’s population. Small or peasant farmers have been expected to go the way of the dinosaurs.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Larger and more intensive farming maybe one of globalisation misguided assumptions since it may not necessarily translate into greater efficiency or improved products. This research will add to the growing body of knowledge which postulates that small Farming is advantageous for three reasons:

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE STUDY

Small farming leads to an optimal utilization of fertile land which is in short supply due to population growth.

Small farming sets the surplus labour to work on the land.

Small farming involves less supervision and management costs when compared to larger farms whether private or state managed (Lawrence, 2004).

The research is also concerned with:1. Challenging the conventional wisdom

about small farms.

2. The use of endogenous innovative approaches to sustainable development of the small traditional farmer.

MAIN OBJECTIVES

Data was collected over six months from one hundred and ninety one stakeholders. Electronic mailing system and face to face interview (include an elite group of twenty directors and senior directors of various agricultural agencies and a focus group of twenty farmers).

METHODOLOGY

The data was then analysed using parameter estimate and regression analysis techniques, after which the Mandal Model for Sustainable Rural Poultry Farming was used to affirm the five hypotheses and six research questions.

Summary of response to research questions & Hypotheses:

Q1. Will strategic alliances between the Jamaica Small Traditional Agricultural Sub-sector and the local productive sectors result in an increase in outputs and earning capacity of the small traditional farmers?

H1. Strategic alliances between the small traditional agricultural sub-sector and the local productive sector would result in increased outputs and earning capacities of the small farmers.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Q2. Will the returns to small traditional farmers increase if more emphasis is placed on the identification and full utilization of local resources?

Q3. Will production costs to small traditional farmers decrease if more emphasis is placed on the identification and full utilization of local resources?

H2. If endogenous innovation dynamics inside the Jamaican Agrarian Sector is related to productivity enhancement and product innovation, then an increase endogenous change would increase the sustainability of the small traditional farmers.

Summary of response to research question one

Will strategic alliances between the Jamaica Small Traditional Agricultural Sub-sector and the local productive sectors result in an increase in outputs and earning capacity of the small traditional farmers?

% positive response % negative responseResearchers and lecturers 96.0 4.0Farmers & RADA Officers 87.5 12.5Elite & focus groups 90.6 9.4 Average 91.37 8.633

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Strategic alliances between the small traditional agricultural sub-sector and the local productive sector would result in increased outputs and earning capacities of the small farmers.

Testing hypothesis one using Regression Method

 CategoryNumber of

Respondents Percentages

Success

175 91.37%

Failure

16 8.633%

Total

191 100%

H2:  p > 0.75 α= 0.05 C.R=z>z0.05 =z>1.96

Test Statistic x= Number of response for affordability.

n= Sample size. p= Proportion of success. q= Proportion of failure. 

Using z=x-np /√npq   = 175-(191)(0.75)   = 175-143 = 32 = 5.351

(191)(0.75)(0.25)      √35.76       5.98  Z = 5.351 5.351 > 1.96  

Will the returns to small traditional farmers increase if more emphasis is placed on the identification and full utilization of local resources?

% positive response % negative responseResearchers and lecturers 80.8 19.2Farmers & RADA Officers 83.74 16.26Elite & focus groups 82.8 17.2 Average 82.50 17.5

Summary of response to research question two

Will production costs to small traditional farmers decrease if more emphasis is placed on the identification and full utilization of local resources?

% positive response % negative response

Researchers and 2ecturers 72.00 28.00

Farmers & RADA Officers 83.33 16.67

Elite & focus groups 81.7 18.3

Average 79.01 20.99

Summary of response to research question three

Testing hypothesis two using Regression Method

If endogenous innovation dynamics inside the Jamaican Agrarian Sector is related to productivity enhancement and product innovation, then an increase endogenous change would increase the sustainability of the small traditional farmers.

Category Number of Respondents Percentages

Success 155 (83.33 + 79.01)/2 = 81.17%

Failure 38 18.83%

Total 191 100%

H2:  p > 0.75α= 0.05C.R=z>z0.05 =z>1.96Test Statistic

x= Number of response for affordability.n= Sample size.p= Proportion of success.q= Proportion of failure. 

Using z=x-np /√npq 

= 155-(191)(0.75)   = 155-143 = 12 = 2.007 (191)(0.75)(0.25)      √35.76       5.98  Z = 2.007 2.007 > 1.96

The results of the data analysis demonstrates that:

a. the Jamaica Small Traditional Farming Sub-Sector can achieve sustainability on the basis that strategic alliances must be established between itself and the local productive sectors. In the case of Jamaica, the productive sectors that are critical to these holy alliances are tourism, retailing, Ministry of Education and manufacturing. Such alliances will result in increased outputs and earning capacity of the small traditional farmers.

b. an important factor in the increase sustainability of the Jamaican Small Traditional Farmers is an increased endogenous change.

This study has investigated the importance of small farms and specifically small traditional farming and how it can be revived and become sustainable in this new dispensation. It has demonstrated that, despite the many challenges faced by the sub-sector, especially over the last twenty five years, its revitalization and sustainability is not only attainable but is also critical.

CONCLUSION

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