The aim of this study is to describe and outline the problems faced by peasant farmers in Somerset, St.Thomas. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This SBA has served as a great learning experience and as such, gratitude is expressed to those who helped me tremendously in completing it. Deep gratitude is also expressed to my mother, who provided all the necessary supplies needed to complete this project. PRESENTATION OF DATA
Peasant farming is the cultivation of land on a small scale .Most Caribbean peasant farmers work hard to sustain a living and provide food for subsistence.
LOCATION, LAND OWNERSHIP AND SIZE The area of land studied is 8 located in Somerset, St.Thomas and is 8 acres wide. It was originally owned by Serge Island Dairies; however, the company distributed pieces of it to the community for living and agricultural purposes. Land is also owned by farmers under inheritance laws. They use this land for subsistence. (Fig.1)
Figure 1 shows a plot of land that has been cultivated for subsistence.
EQUIPMENT AND LABOUR
The land size restricts the use of large machinery. Simple tools such as the machete, hoe, spades and pitchforks (fig.5) tend to be efficient. No form of labour is hired as the family members of the farmer assist with the workload.
Figure 5 shows simple tools used on the farm.
Produce is bought straight off the farm, consequently, no areas of storage are needed.
SPECIALISATION AND IRRIGATION
The crops grown on the area of study are bananas, plantains, pepper and its main crops are carrots, gungo peas and sorrel ; carrot being it’s most popular asset. The land is sown before rainy seasons and harvested in dry seasons. Crop rotation is done on the farm, depending on the seasons (not all crops are suitable for sowing in certain temperatures) and the amount of land owned. A mixed cropping system is