Thirty-three small farmers in Clarendon aim to generate $240 million annually on the high end from short-term crops at a new agro park, provided weather and market conditions hold.
On the low end, earnings hover at $60 million, which would still double the return on inputs given to them by donor institutions.
The Parnassus agro park, carved out of the former sugar cane belt in southern Clarendon, is geared towards domestic supply rather than exports. Farmers are planting cassava, pumpkin and plantain – staples that can be profitable when demand is steady.
“Cassava is one of the best short-term crops,” said Roy Martin, president of the Parnassus Farmers’ Group and a beneficiary of the Government’s Matching Grant Scheme. “It takes less money to maintain, about $60,000 per acre. If you get a good market in six to seven months, you can earn $1.5 million.”
Martin, who has farmed for more than 15 years, is among the nearly three dozen participants in the Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project, run by the
Agro-Investment Corporation, an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries & Mining.
Last week, Agro-Invest, the UK Caribbean Infrastructure Fund and the Caribbean Development Bank handed over inputs valued at up to $30 million under phase One of the grant scheme. Support included irrigation systems; fencing; seeds; tools; protective gear; and training in financial literacy, climate resilience and market access.
Fifty-four acres are slated for production, with crops ranging from hot pepper and sweet potato to watermelon, cucumber and corn. Six women and one farmer with disabilities are among the beneficiaries.
Cassava, selling at $65 to $80 per pound, could generate $162 million annually, before expenses, if planted on multiple cycles. Pumpkin and hot pepper, which allow up to three harvests per year, could lift total earnings above $200 million.
Still, costs weigh heavily. Agro-Invest estimates it takes $800,000 to establish a five-acre sweet potato farm, with average revenue of $5 million.
Export prospects remain limited. According to the Agri Investor Deal Book 2025, Jamaica’s top export crops in 2023 were yam (US$40.7 million) and ackee (US$26 million). Of the Parnassus mix, only hot pepper made the top eight, with US$1.1 million in export value.
Luke.douglas@gleanerjm.com
