Environmental policy and administrative management

The parish of St. Thomas is particularly susceptible to slope instability because of its geology, steep slopes, chemical weathering and the high volume of rainfall which it receives. The Trinityville area is located in the southern end of the Blue Mountain range. In an attempt to address this problem the Trinityville Sustainable Land Management Programme is designed to: Mitigate damages to local agricultural practices. Promote self sufficiency, resilience and a resistant approach to natural and man-made disasters in 6 districts in the Trinityville Area. Focus on the most vulnerable, such as women and young farmers. Expose the residents to appropriate farming methodologies to enhance and reinforce sustainable farming practices The project will implement a comprehensive land management programme to introduce soil conservation techniques to reduce the effects of natural and man made disasters such as flooding, soil erosion and fire. The project will be implemented under Land Degradation OP 15. The main objective is to introduce and implement sustainable agricultural techniques to mitigate the land degradation problem of six communities in the Trinityville cluster, by applying soil conservation measures and techniques with the use of contour barriers and terracing. Its main beneficiaries are the Farmers, youths and women within these communities. Expected outcome and output of the project 100 farmers in six communities in Trinityville will receive training in land husbandry, organic farming practices, risk management and mini irrigation systems Native plants and fruit trees seedling will be acquired from the Forestry Department and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority. A letter was sent off to the Forestry Department requesting a total of 1000 native and fruit trees free of charges for reforestation purpose. A background information was as to the use was also outlined in the letter to the forestry department. Pineapple suckers (4,000) will be purchased from other sources local farmers at a reduced rate. Farmers will be able to utilize drip irrigation system as a means of soil conversation measures The farmers will be empowered in post harvest and marketing techniques Farmers will be able to apply innovative and alternative organic practices

Jamaica