As part of efforts to build the climatic resilience of south coast farmers, the Sandals Foundation has partnered with the Rural Agricultural Authority (RADA) and Isratech Jamaica Limited to host and provide drip irrigation training and infrastructure to vegetable, produce, and small ruminant farmers in and around the Beeton Springs community.

Ten farmers from the communities of Cave Mountain, Robins River, Beeston Springs and Bluefields on Friday received technical and practical training on the installation of drip irrigation to support production in their fields throughout the current dry season which runs December to April.

The intervention, valued at just over $4 million forms part of the philanthropic arm’s Westmoreland Irrigation Project will also see each participant receiving irrigation hoses with emitters, 1000 gallon water tanks, and other key resources for an irrigation infrastructure to support a quarter acre farm lot.

“Strengthening the capacity of our island’s food producers to sustainably provide for their markets and families, requires an investment in climate adaptive technologies. Drip irrigation provides an efficient method to maximize on limited water supply especially during the dry season and we are happy to support our farmers in this respect,” says Georgia Scarlett, Environmental Manager, Sandals Foundation.

Leading on irrigation best practices training, Everton Robinson, Manager of the Farm Water Management Unit at RADA says, “There is a direct correlation between best practices, efficiency and productivity. By sharing with farmers how they can operate, maintain, and trouble shoot glitches with the technology, we can make life easier for them.”

Noting that no one approach is universal for all, Robinson says, “We like to have conversations with farmers and understand the cultural practices they employ. Where possible we always try to integrate that information into the irrigation technology to encourage their continued development.”

An irrigation demonstration plot has been established at the Beeston Spring Greenhouse built by the Sandals Foundation, to support installation training. Over the next week, Isratech will provide additional capacity building as they install the infrastructure on the farms of participating farmers.

“Our team will provide hands-on training, ensuring that farmers understand how to set up, operate, and troubleshoot their systems effectively. Empowering [them] with these skills minimizes water loss, optimizes crop yields, and reduces operational costs, particularly during the dry season when water conservation is crucial,” says Patricia Grant, Marketing Manager at Isratech Jamaica Limited. “By combining education with practical implementation,” Grant continues, “Isratech aims to equip farmers with the knowledge and confidence to sustain their irrigation infrastructure for years to come,"

The Westmoreland Irrigation Project forms part of the Sandals Foundation’s intensified food security programme. Over the last 5 years, the philanthropic arm has been building the capacity of students, farmers, agriculture training institutions and communities in various climate smart technology, training and research to bolster the capacity of the Caribbean’s various islands to produce more of what it grows.