Home country bahamas. Profile Investment Opportunities Main Activities Organisations The chain of islands known as the Bahamas, officially called the Commonwealth of the Bahamas, consists of islands, cays, and islets in the Atlantic Ocean. The Bahamas archipelago gives it a unique opportunity to diversify its agricultural output. Creating more livestock processing quarters on more islands can go a long way in alleviating the pressure on the facility currently available.
Expansion of agricultural production on the less populous islands can bring added revenue for the expanding economy. Expansion of the fisheries subsector is a great opportunity due to close proximity to the intended market, the U.
Nicholas Mlaoulis P. Box N Tel: I need a Website about farming in the Bahamas, but I haven't found anything yet. I need innformation on farming for my coursework little more information needed please. Craig Lightbourne. Ruth stewart. What are some of the problems farmers face in the Bahamas? Danavio Neely. Hi I need help I'm sitting the national B. Examination and there is a course work I have to do can you please inform me of 4 contributions Farming can make to the economy.
Michelle Morris. Roshawn Russell. Can you assist me with four contributions farmers can make to assist the economy in the bahamas. Tonique Brown. Adolton Leadon. It made it easier for me. I would like to know the areas in which agiculture is done in the Bahamas and 4 problems they face. In Abaco one farm visited had cold storage facilities installed to keep produce fresh until marketed, while another farmer is venturing into the processing of fruits into jams for added value. Of the roots and tubers, sweet potato is the most significant, followed by cassava.
There has been an increase in the amount of root crops pr oduced, in an effort to satisfy increasing local demand for those commodities. In both Abaco and Andros significant acreages of sweet potato have been planted using improved varieties. A significant number of younger farmers have obtained grants for land leases in Andros and are enterin g the profession. This will have an important impact on reducing the average age of farmers in this area. Farmers of North Andros at any given time cultivate an average of ten 10 acres of a given vegetable crop.
Farmers use drip irrigation technologies. Ch emicals are used for weed control, though some manual cultivation is still done. Additional labour is hired during certain periods for planting, cultivating and harvesting. Some have invested in greenhouses for nursery production of seedlings, which is becoming more prevalent among farmers.
The production of seedlings for other farmers is another activity that gen erates additional income. Use of the Internet for purchasing seeds and searching for information is becoming prevalent, particularly among younger farmers.
Technical information is also obtained from the University of Florida and other institutions in Florida, where some farmers have establis hed contacts. The Mennonite community supports agriculture in North Andros through the sale of improved seeds, chemicals and other agricultural supplies and the rental of tractor equipment. The agricultural Cooperative in North Andros also sells agricultural supplies to the farming community.
Some feel they obtain better prices from the agricultural cooperative tha n from other sources. Due to financial constraints, many farmers are unable to make use of the modern technology available and this leads to low production efficiency. The financing of agricultural projects is nearly impossible, as bank loans are difficult to obtain and the interest rates are usually considered to be high. Fa rmers tend to save to provide input for the following cropping season.
Some are engaged in other activities to supplement their farming income. Payment from the packing houses for produce submitted takes too long and constrains the farmers ability to finance further production.
This also occurs on the local market in Ne w Providence where farmers make private arrangements with vendors and retail food stores for the sale of their crops. The DOAs Stores on Credit programme is reportedly slow in its delivery of credited items, as it takes too long for supplies from the Fish and Farm Supp ly Store to be cleared by Customs, which hinders prompt delivery to the islands. In Abaco, farmers obtain most of their input supplies directly from the USA.
The costs associated with land clearing and preparation have meant that those new farmers entering the sector are being impeded in their attem pts to get into agricultural production.
The smaller farmers may use two or three labourers on a regular basis, hiring five to six during peak periods of activity. Efforts must be made to develop national programmes and projects to improve the effectiveness and efficien cy of the agricultural sector.
There is a need for capacity development in order to carry out a viable research agenda. Priority areas for research include variety improvement for high yield, early maturity, heat and drought tolerance, disease and pest resistance, quality, long shelf life and suitability for processing. Research linkages can be accomplished through farmer associations and coordination at the national, regional and international levels. In most cases, the current system of small scale unimproved production of many fruit and food commodities can satisfy the domestic market demand without th e development of PAGE 45 Report on Rapid Assessment of the Agriculture Sector by the FAO 43 commercial production systems or formal market structures, but only during the harvest period.
Despite the relatively small number of commercial acreage of non citrus fruits, the domestic market for fresh fruit is seasonally glutted with supplies of mango, avocado and other local fruits.
The DOA is concentrating on increasing the acreage of pineapples, mangoes, coconuts, citrus and bananas. For pineapples, tissue culture is being used for their propagation. Planting material were distributed mainly in Eleuthera and Long Island.
However, Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne have affected the progress achieved. In the case of mangoes seven varieties were distributed in to farmers affected by the hurricanes of that year. An amount of 3, plants were distributed after the hurricanes of In the case of coconuts, Lethal Yellowing adversely affected the industry. Three disease resistant varieties were imported, 15, nuts in and another 15, nuts in each of the years and The citrus industr y was dealt a severe blow by successive hurricanes and the Citrus Canker disease which affected Abaco in For bananas, more than 10, plants of improved varieties were distributed to farmers.
A production manual was produce d and extension officers trained in the management of Black Sigatoka. Ripening rooms have been constructed and are operational on Andros, Abaco and Long Island. Issues and challenges: There are challenges to minimize disease infestation within the tree crop production systems.
These systems incorporate vegetables, other food crops and livestock. Th ere must be acceptable integrated mechanisms. Recovery from disasters such as fires, floods, high winds and hurricanes have been slow. Rising cost of agro inputs, utilities and labour have led to unstable prices within the markets. Record keeping does not account for the value of production. There are inappropriate production and harvesti ng techniques. There is a challenge to engage and access labour for the industry and to stop praedial larceny.
There is need to control dogs when tree crop producers engage in livestock operations. There are limited research capabilities to identify and control crop diseases. There are deficiencies within the marketing system which affect consum er demand and supply. Training in agribusiness and other areas as well as information is lacking for the sub sector. Yields are affected by poor husbandry, soil nutrition inadequacies and water quality.
There is a need for greater visibility of local fruits among the consumers. Legislation review is essential to support new and existing i nitiatives. The sector can benefit from improved agricultural engineering practices. Credit portfolios should synchronize with all cropping activities.
The occupation is viewed as a hobby and part time activity among many producers and this affects the growth of the industry. There is a challenge to incorporate the small slash and bur n producer within the system. Increases in per capita consumption in the poultry industry, a trend which is expected to continue, is being fueled by the expansion of fast food chains. Growth in the domestic livestock sub sector depends on improvements in genetic stock and reduction in production costs, particularly as they relate to importe d feeds.
Improved product quality and low cost of locally produced meat products will enhance livestock farmers ability to compete with similar imported products in the absence of government subsidies and import restrictions.
Policy: A comprehensive policy for the livestock sector has not been elaborated with the result that development of the sector has been fragmented and without direction resulting in a decline in the sectors contribution to agricultural growth.
Consultation with other Ministries, government departments and private sector stakeholders has been limited. Legislation and regulations : The legislation and regulations relating to the agriculture sector in general and livestock, animal health and food safety in particular, are antiquated and do not reflect modern thought or incorporate the recommended standards of the International Standards Setting Bodies such as CODEX and the OIE.
No mechanisms for establishing standards are in place. Stray dogs: Over the years, attacks on small ruminants by unrestrained dogs have decimated some flocks causing financial losses and discouraging farmers who feel powerless to protect their animals in the fa ce of weak legislation and lack of enforcement.
Many farmers have quit livestock production as a result of such attacks. Livestock feeds and nutrition : Although the poultry producers can import feed from the USA, the average livestock producer depends mainly on the government owned feed mill which often has problems relating to capa city, consistency of supply, delivery and quality of the feed produced.
At the same time, the quality and availability of pasture lands have decreased significantly due to many factors and maximum yield from indigenous pasture and forages are not being obtained due to the lack of appli ed research and technology for that purpose. The relatively high cost of land clearing and preparation severely restricts the establishment, maintenance and increase in pasture acreage for feeds and hence the number of animals that farmers can raise.
In some areas water is not readily available while in other areas the quality of the available water is unsuitable for animals. Food Safety : There is no modern comprehensive national food safety system for animals and animal products, while at the same time there is fragmentation of resources and legislation relating to food safety. Currently, there is one slaughter house which is situated in New Providence This slaughter house is used only for swine and ruminants.
The inspection of meat is limited, sporadic and non existent in some areas. This results in an inability of producers to access the high valued and fast growing fast food and tourism markets. No food safety laboratory exis ts. PAGE 47 Report on Rapid Assessment of the Agriculture Sector by the FAO 45 Extension Services: The extension service is inadequate due to the fact that there are too few extension officers and, additionally, the service has limited access to new information and technology.
Veterinary services: The veterinary services require improved infrastructure, institutional strengthening and support as well as reorganization to meet the challenges of the 21st ce ntury. These include the risk of emerging and re emerging diseases and higher international food safety standards. There is no national veterinary diagnostic laboratory to provide support for veterinary extension and animal disease surveillance and monitoring.
Livestock farmers have inadequate access to animal health services. The Bahamas is not a member of the OIE which sets the standards and regulations for trade in animals and animal products as well as for the functioning of a modern veterinary service. Not being a member, The Bahamas cannot benefit from the technical assistance and capacity building activities of the OIE.
Farmers need to improve their record keeping to aid in improving efficiency and to maximize the use of the genetic material available to them. Insufficient attention has been accorded to agri food processing and agro industrial development as compared to other countries in the Hemisphere.
In contrast, the growth in the fruit and vegetable processing industry in Central America in particular, has resulted in a major market for the food processing industry in that region. The countries in the Latin American region are adding more value to their fresh produce exports through vertical integration, with growers developing ties with exporters, whol esalers and retailers to link different segments of the markets.
The processing sub sector can be defined by two distinct categories: The cottage industry segment, which exists in many of the Family Islands as well as in New Providence, and The more commercial segment, which is to be found mainly in Ne w Providence.
The cottage segment has a low level of output and is either individually or family owned. Even when it is individually owned, other members of the family assist in the operation. In some cases, the husband and wife may be engaged in separate businesses. The pr oduct is used in the household as well as sold on the domestic Island market.
They at times employ workers on a part time basis. They mainly use the local water supply in their processing operations and do not keep records. Raw material is sourced from their own farms supplemented by purchases of the surplus of production from other farms on the island. Other materi als used are purchased from the local stores. Their equipment tends to be manual and hardly any testing of product is done.
Issues and Challenges: In terms of support, they complain of weak extension services from both agronomic and processing aspects. However they have limited access to both services, either through the e xtension officer, the packing house manager or by direct telephone contact. A few operators get scientific information from the internet. Marketing in terms of transport, labeling, grading, packaging and storage is inadequate and general market information is unavailable.
As an example, glass jars and containers including caps and safety bands prove too costly for cottage operations to purchase in the bulk volumes that international suppliers deal with. Access to credit may be unavailable, but many operators are reluctant to borrow and prefer to grow their business gradually using their own resources. The more commercial segment of the agro processing sub sector has a hi gher level of output and, even when it is family owned, is likely to be a company.
The product is sold on the domestic National market except for special Bahamian products such as Conch Chowder which may be sold on the international market. These producers tend not to be affiliated to any groups bu t employ workers on a full time basis.
They mainly use the local water supply in their processing operations, but improve the water quality by introducing technology such as Reverse Osmosis. They do not keep records except in cases where the product is sold internatio nally.
Raw material is for the most part imported and there is limited linkage between the processor and the local raw material producer although there is some purchase of the surplus of production from domestic producers, but in any event, the availability of local raw material is seasonal and not of varieties specifically suited for pr ocessing.
Other material used in processing such as food grade additives and cleaning material are also imported. Their equipment tend to be semi automated with little testing of product being done except in regard to exported products. Issues and Challenges: The high cost of energy, electricity and insurance contribute to make this segment uncompetitive. Processing research and product development as well as skilled Food Technologists in The Bahamas are limited. In terms of support, they tend to rely on services from strategic alliances with their suppliers for processing aspects.
Operators get scientific information from the internet. Marketing in terms of labeling, grading and packaging is in many cases out sourced. Credit is available except in cases of start up operations where the company does not have a track record and the risk is presumed to be high. The Bahamas has some history in the transformation of primary agricultural products into processed foods.
However, the linka ge with primary agricultural production at the local level remains weak, as much of the raw material is imported. In some instances, the entire processing chain, including the application of the local companys label, is performed overseas by foreign firms, for re export and sale in The Bahamas. If this situation is to be reversed, the dom estic production base has to be expanded and in PAGE 49 Report on Rapid Assessment of the Agriculture Sector by the FAO 47 some cases through the use of production systems that are specifically geared to the agro industrial sub sector.
Consumer demand for ready to eat products will increase as incomes rise. This preference requires that most, if not all primary agricultural products, whether traded externally or consumed domestically, must undergo some form of product transformation.
Processed foods is an important mark et segment for generating greater value added and employment opportunities for the agricultural sector. The industrialization of the agri food sector could play a major role in the process of revitalizing Bahamian agriculture, provided that adequate resources are dedicated towards infrastructure and cutting edge technology for production efficiency.
One key to productivity lies in efforts to minimize or substantially reduce surpluses. This strategy can be achieved by instituting the following: 1 conducting a comprehensive review of processing facilities to assess strengths and deficiencies, 2 upgrading processing facilities and expanding capacity for housing the various processing sites at one location and 3 D esigning and constructing multipurpose processing facilities. Adequate policies, as well as enforcement and support mechanisms, need to be in place to ensure sustainable land and integrated water resource management for food security and food safety.
There are fou r types of tenure arrangements in The Bahamas. They are freehold, commonage, generation and crown lands. In the case of freehold properties, ownership is with the individual or group.
Commonage and generation lands are handed down to groups of persons and ownership is not as clear cut as is the case with freehold lands. Crown lands are owned by the governmen t and can be leased or transferred to individuals or groups. The act conferred upon the Minister corporate status with power to acquire, hold, lease and dispose of agricultural crown lands.
Most leases are for a period of 21 years. Leases for longer than 25 years are subject to approval from the Governor General. The Minister does not have the authority to sell agricultural crown lands.
In , the Ministry responsible for agriculture was allocated 13, acres of lands in Andros, 11, acres in Abaco and 10, acres in Grand Bahama for leasing to farmers. In , 2, acres were allocated in New Providence for leasing to farmers. The LAU makes the initial approval and transmits its recommendation to the Minister through the PS for final approval.
Land tenure, land use planning and land management have been identified as critical issues to be addressed. The commonage and generational systems and the leasing system for crown lands limit the use of lands as collateral when accessing financing for investment in the agricultural sector.
For land use planning, there is a need for greater awareness of the mai n components of the policy as well as for enforcement of the policy. A comprehensive land capability study needs to be conducted to facilitate land zoning and agricultural planning. For land management, the high cost of land clearing and surveying and the high use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides threaten the groundwater systems.
There is therefore a need for capacity building in sustainable land management practices. The climate of The Bahamas is sub tropical, with mean temperatures ranging from about 21degrees C in December to February to about 28 degrees C in July and August. The Gulf Stream helps keep The Bahamas free of the cold fronts that regularly move southwards over the continental USA, sometimes into southern Florida, where occasional freezing temperatures damage crops. Annual rainfall decreases from north to south.
Grand Bahama has an average annual rainfall of mm. Mayaguana, about km to the south and east of Grand Bahama, has an average annual rainfall of about mm. The dry season generally extends from November to April, with December to March particularly dry. In the more southerly islands, July may be drier than May, June and August to October, resulting in an almost bim odal rainfall distribution. In these islands the probability of more than 75 mm of rain per month between May and October is only between 0.
Parts of these islands are distinctly arid with xerophytic vegetation and little agricultural potential. Geologically, The Bahamas consists of a low lying und ulating limestone platform derived from coral. The highest point is Mount Alvernia in Cat Island at feet above sea level. Most of the pine lands are crown lands. Th e forests protect the soil and help filter rain water to replenish the fresh water lenses or aquifers. The lenses sit on top of salt water and the fresh water lenses rise and fall with the tide.
The extensive fresh water aquifers, often at a depth of only a few feet, mean that water for irrigation is generall y readily available. The more southerly islands are known as coppice islands. They were originally covered with hardwood forests and shrub lands, but exploitation over centuries have reduced the areas to dense stands of narrow stemmed trees.
There are pockets of soil in the limestone, which are used for pot hole farming. The aquifers are generally less extensive than in the pine lands. The soils under pine tend to be stony, free draining and alkaline. They are low in both the major and minor nutrients. The better soils can be made productive with adequate le vels of inputs.
Abaco is PAGE 51 Report on Rapid Assessment of the Agriculture Sector by the FAO 49 estimated to have 4, ha of class 2 and 3, ha of class 3 lands, Grand Bahama 7, ha of class 2 and 6, ha of class 3 lands and Andros ha of class 1, 10, ha of class 2 and 10, ha of class 3 lands. In the larger of the islands to the south, Eleuthera has 1, ha of class 1 and 1, ha of class 3 lands; Cat Island ha of class 1, ha of class 2 and ha of class 3 lands; Ex uma has ha of class 1 lands; Acklins and Crooked Island have ha of class 1, ha of class 3 and 1, ha of class 4 lands; and Mayagua na has 1, ha of class 1 and 5, ha of class 4 lands.
In the eight larger islands of The Bahamas 5. In terms of the supply of water, again there is some distinction between conditions in the north compared to the south.
Many of the fresh water lenses in Andros, Grand Bahama and Abaco are extensive in both area and depth and are used for irrigation and potable purposes. Much of the potable water used in New Providence is shipped in from North Andros.
In the southern islands there are also large fresh water lenses which could be used for irrigation. However the extraction rates in some cases may be too low to allow irrigation of large areas, which pla ces a limit on agricultural development based on irrigation.
In addition, there is competition for water between domestic users, the tourism sector and agriculture. In terms of the water supply in selected islands, Abaco is estimated to have 47, ha of lenses capabl e of yielding 1.
Water quality is a major concern. Presently the water supply is threatened by inappropriate agricultural practices both within and adjacent to the well fields; poor or nonexistent sewage handling and treatment; and other unsustainable practices. High levels of sodium chloride have also been detected and have been attributed to over extraction of water, especially during periods of drought.
These problems of water quality if left unattended could have severe implications not only for the population, but also for visitors. The five year plan for the sub sector is outlined in Figure Establishment of farm supply sub outlets in the Family Islands.
Assess needs of each island of agricultural importance and Increase access to credit for agricultural supplies. Build capacity of staff to operate agricultural supply store; and Assess Packing Houses to determine whether modifications could be made to floor space to accommodate supply store Construct pilot farm supply facility at targeted island e. Cat Island sq. Maintain and operate facilities; Monitoring and Evaluation.
A comprehensive production and marketing plan for the major farming islands. Promote the benefits of locally grown fresh produce and educate consumers to support the local agricultural economy.
Identify local and international markets for produce. Develop a planned programme for the scheduling of crop production. Negotiate purchase agreements with potential customers; Guarantee a reasonable price for agricultural produce. Set up a market information and dissemination system, to include launching of a website.
Improvement in post harvest handling of crops. Agriculture accounts for only 2. Given the high annual tourist arrivals estimated at 5 million , the country is challenged with an increasing demand for food and an equally high food import bill. The areas of growing demand include agri-food sector and the linkages for promoting sustainable food production, as well as increased consumption of locally produced foods.
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