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TITLE:

An investigation into the impact that Natural Disasters have on the

farming industry in the community of Water Wheel, Westmoreland.

CAPE

Communication Studies

Internal Assessment

(2012-2013)

Name: Romario Ricketts

School: Frome

Technical High School

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INTRODUCTION

The Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE) has required of the candidates sitting

the Caribbean Studies examination to compile research of approximately 2000-2500 words.

Water Wheel is a small community in Westmoreland. It is located in the country of Jamaica and

is about 10 kilometers from the capital town Savanna-la-mar. Water Wheel consists of

approximately 200 households.

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I have been residing in the Water Wheel for over 17 years. During this time I have observed that

there are a number of persons practicing farming on a large scale (commercial farming) and the

problems they face when natural disasters occur. Therefore I have decided to conduct a survey to

investigate on some of the problems they face when they are confronted with these occurrences.

A few key terms presented in this assignment are to be highlighted, such as:

Natural Disasters

Hurricane

Drought

Tsunami

Earthquake

A Natural Disaster is something that is caused by natural forces (nature) rather than human

actions. For example: hurricanes, droughts, earthquake etc.

A Hurricane is a severe tropical storm with torrential rain and extremely strong winds. A

Drought is a period of extremely dry weather, when there is not enough rain falling for the

successful growth of crops or the replenishing of water supplies.

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A Tsunami is a large destructive wave caused by an underwater weather earthquake or another

movement of the earth’s crust.

An Earthquake is a violent shaking of the earth’s crust that may cause destruction to buildings

and results from the sudden relief of tectonic stress along a fault line or from a volcanic activity.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

An investigation into the issues relating to the impact that Natural Disasters have on the farming

industry in the community of Water Wheel, Westmoreland.

PROBLEM STATEMENT

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How do Natural Disasters impact on the farming industry in the community of Water Wheel, in

Westmoreland?

PURPOSE OF RESEARCH

The reason why I opt to engage in this study was to fulfill the requirements of the Caribbean

Advanced Proficiency Examination (CAPE). In addition, in doing this assignment I was able to

garner a better understanding of the subject matter ‘Natural Disasters’ and its effects on the

farming industry. This increased knowledge on the subject may also be of benefit to me in the

near future as I pursue a career in Environmental Science.

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AIMS AND OBJECTIVES

To be able to define Natural Disasters

To get a better understanding of the different Natural Disasters which affect my

community and Jamaica by extension.

To determine the extent to which Natural Disasters contribute to the financial burdens of

the famers in the community of Water Wheel, Westmoreland.

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To ascertain the extent to which Natural Disasters affect the psych of individual living in

Water Wheel, Westmoreland.

To find out the financial support (if any) available for the famers who suffer Natural

Disasters.

HYPOTHESIS

Natural Disasters impacted negatively on the persons practicing commercial farming in the

community of Water Wheel.

LITERATURE REVIEW

According to Bing, a Natural Disaster is caused by Natural Forces (nature) rather than by human

action. For example: hurricanes, droughts, earthquakes etc.

There are many Natural Disasters globally but only a few are prone to Jamaica such as

hurricanes, droughts and earthquakes. It is in this succession that it moves from been recurrent

to.

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The Caribbean Studies CAPE by Ruel B Reid, Dip Ed., states that a hurricane is a severe and

intense tropical cyclone with winds in excess of 120 KM per hour.

Jamaica, being located in the Caribbean, geographically, this land area has its coastline washed

by the Caribbean Sea. This geographical phenomenon makes the island more susceptible to

hurricane. Reid noted that hurricanes are developed and encouraged in the warmer waters. The

Caribbean Sea provides this very atmosphere to facilitate hurricane build up and survival.

For decades, the effects of natural disasters have adversely affected the farming industry in

particular - the banana, sugarcane and coffee industry. The prevalence of these natural events

decreases the production of agricultural produces.

According to a Gleaner feature dating back to 1962 on pieces of the past hurricane, about two

and a half centuries ago a terrible hurricane hit Jamaica. It was described as the most devastating

hurricane to have hit the island up to that point in history.

Then Governor Colonel John Dalling described the occurrence in an official report to London

saying, “A mighty wave rose out of the boiling sea and seeped over the coast for a mile.” I am

sure everyone has heard of the historical account when ships were able to sail up Georges Street,

Savanna-la-mar. It was after this very hurricane.

As it relates to flooding stemming from hurricanes, Isadore and Lilly in successive weeks in

September 2002 are perfect examples. Rainfall in that month exceeded the 30 year mean by 180

per cent to a virtual hit by Ivan in 2004, our farmers were bombarded by severe tropical weather.

By July 2005, they were buffeted by winds from Dennis and Emily. Again in successive weeks

an unusual occurrence followed by flooding from tropical storm Wilma in October. The farmers

in the southern parishes bore the blunt of the dislocation and damage done to their crops.

Interestingly after a respite in 2006, Dean in 2007 and tropical storm Gustav again hammered

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them in 2008. Not to mention the damage hurricane Sandy done to the banana producers on the

northern side of the island in 2011.

Dennis Morrison a contributor, published in the Gleaner on Sunday July 12, 2009 that there was

a steep decline in agricultural production of around 20 percent by 2008 as output fell by 7% in

2002, 11.2% in 2004, 6.8% in 2005, 6% in 2007 and 5.1% in 2008. Furthermore, longstanding

industries have wilted due to natural events. Most notably the banana export sector, which barely

begins its recovery programs after each hurricane season only to be struck down by more

damaging weather in the subsequent year. Thus, banana exports went down from roughly 43,00

tons in 2001 to almost nothing in 2008; wiping out export earnings which stood at over US 18

million in 2001.

Another industry that suffers tremendous losses from this phenomenon is the sugar industry. In

reports from the daily Gleaner, Camilo Thame, a business reporter stated that the devastation

done by hurricane Ivan accounted for the fall in output of crops in the previous year which was

by far the lowest output on record.

In October 2004, some farmers in the parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny and St

Elizabeth received government vouchers to assist them in recovering from the remnants of

hurricane Charlie that destroyed their crops in August.

Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke stated that a disbursement of some $220 million recover fund

for the sector which was being administers by the Office of National Reconstruction (OCR) and

that the vouchers were being distributed by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority

(RADA).

Drought is another natural disaster that occasionally adds to the plights of our local farmers. This

has been a downfall for the farming industry since lack of water causes to wilt and sometimes

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die. As a result of this dry time, bush fires are always occurring - affecting crops. John Myers Jr.,

Farmer Weekly Coordinator, asserted in a report by the Rural Agricultural Development

Authority (RADA) that the cost of damages to the Agricultural sector was estimated at more than

$270 million.

Albert Shand, former Executive Director of RADA, told Farmers Weekly that more than 14,000

farmers were affected by the adverse drought. In addition, more than 2000 hectares of farmlands

were affected.

The cabinet earlier approved $40 million to assist farmers affected by the drought, which is in

addition to $12 million dollars that was given the month before to assist with distribution of

water in the worst affected areas. In addition, The former Agriculture Minister, Christopher

Tufton, opened the local market to facilitate the important critical vegetables to fill the void

created by protracted drought in local farming areas in 2009.

Earthquakes have also played an important role in shaping Jamaica’s history. During the period

of 1692 – 1957 there were several major earthquakes that rocked the Caribbean. The 1692

earthquake, which destroyed Port Royal, led to the creation of a new city across the harbor that

came to be called Kinston. On October 20, 1744, Savanna-la-mar, a place noted for trade of

agricultural produce, was destroyed in addition to Kingston and the remnants of Port Royal.

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THE RESEARCH DESIGN

In order to collect data for this research the researcher resorted to a survey. It was of great

significance since the researcher was able to use both qualitative and quantitative methods for

analysis and data.

Quantitative Analysis is a means of analyzing data. Much of quantitative data is collected by

using measurements, sometimes of number variables and across a sample. For each variable or

questioned asked, there are scores for each member (respondent) of the sample (that is the

responses from each respondent). The results form a frequency that can then be tabulated.

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The information was gleamed using 3 different methods of data collection such as:

Questionnaire

Interview

Observation

Some secondary sources used to collect data were:

Internet

Books

THE SAMPLE

As stated earlier in the introduction, the community of Water Wheel consists of approximately

200 households. It was calculated that a sample of 20 percent was necessary in order to ascertain

the challenges faced by farmers.

A total of 50 questionnaires were distributed to the community with the expectation of at least 40

of them being returned.

The 50 households were selected were supplied with questionnaires. In instances where members

were not at home, the questionnaires were left in the mailboxes having a note sticking out stating

the researchers need to have the questionnaires returned in a week. The researcher also provided

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them with his personal mobile phone number so that if they encountered any problems while

filling out the questionnaire they could make contact.

METHOD OF DATA COLLECTION

As aforementioned, the researcher employed a number to methods amass information for this

assignment. These include:

Questionnaires

Observer

Internet

Textbooks

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The questionnaire as a tool for collecting data has a number of advantages suited to the title of

this research paper, these include the following that fact that:

it is cost-effective; it is simple and easy to complete

guarantees confidentiality for the respondents

it is convenient for both the researcher and respondents alike – since respondents were

able to respond to the questionnaire at their own convenience, without the monitoring of

the researcher and

The data can be easily tabulated, measured and analyzed.

The researcher have been observing persons practicing in Water Wheel for a period of time as

this was also means of getting information for my assignment.

The textbooks and internet were used to get additional information pertaining to my topic in

order to complete this assignment.

This survey conducted in the community of Water Wheel was deemed to be valid since the

researcher received first-hand information from the primary sources which were the residents of

Water wheel themselves.

In addition, there were reliable since the information given was proven to be true. As it relates to

credibility, the data received was thought credible since it taken from persons themselves who

are affected by Natural disasters.

I also received information from various sites namely:

observerjamaica.com

gleanerjamaca.com alongside others

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These sources were considered credible and reliable since they all have a reputable legacy,

trusted and are often times used by people for references. The information received through this

medium was also relevant to our culture and dispensation.

PRESENTATION OF DATA

A total of 50 questionnaires were distributed to the community, however only 30 were returned.

Of that number, 80 percent were males and 20 percent females.

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2%8%

30%

60%

How long have you been residing in Water Wheel?

1-5 years

6-10 years

11-15 years

Over 15 years

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Fig. 1: A pie chart showing how long respondents been living in Water Wheel.

Results/Responses

It was discovered that most of the residence, sixty percent (60%), were living in the community

of Water Wheel for 15 years; thirty percent (30%) for 11-15 years; another eighth percent (8)

between (6-10) yeas and two percent (2%) between 1-5 years.

0%

5%

10%

15%

20%

25%

30%

35%

40%

45%

20-30 years 31-40 years 41-50 years Over 50 years

Age

20-30 years

31-40 years

41-50 years

Over 50 years

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Fig. 2: Column chart showing the age group of persons practicing farming in Water Wheel.

Results/Responses

This chart shows that majority of the persons practicing farming, forty percent (40%), are over

the age of fifty years. While thirty five percent (35%) is between the ages of 41-50 years, twenty

percent (20%) are between the ages of 31-40 and five percent (5%) between 20-30 years.

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

Yes

No

Are you a Farmer?

Yes

No

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Fig. 3: Cone column chart indicating the respondents who are farmer and those who are not.

Results/Responses

This cone chart shows that most of the residents, sixty percent (60%) are farmers while forty

percent (40%) are not farmers.

How long have you been practicing faming?

1-5 years

6-10 years

11-15 years

Over 15 years

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Fig. 4: Donut chart showing how long respondents have been practicing farming.

Results/Responses

A donut showing that the majority of the persons practicing farming, sixty percent (60%) have

been doing it for over 15 years, twenty five percent (25%) between 11-15 years, ten percent

(10%) between 6-10 years and five percent (5%) are between 1-5 years.

NATURAL DISASTERS PERCENTAGE OF FARMERS AFFECTED

Hurricanes & Flooding 100%

Drought 30%

Earthquake 0%

Fig. 5: Percentage of respondents who were affected by the Natural Disasters.

Results/Responses

This table shows the percentage of farmers who were affected by Natural Disasters. It is shown

that one hundred percent (100%) of the respondents were affected by hurricanes and flooding,

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thirty percent (30%) were affected by drought. No one suggested that they were affected by

earthquakes.

Did you lose livestock/farm produce during the occurrence of a Natural Disaster?

Yes

No

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Fig. 6: A pie chart showing the percentage of the respondents lost livestock/farm produce during

the occurrence of a Natural Disaster.

Results/Responses

A pie chart showing that ninety (90%) of the respondents lost livestock during the occurrence of

a natural disaster while ten percent (10%) reported they did not lose anything.

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Fig. 7: A bar chart showing the extent to which respondents’ farm/property was damaged.

Results/Responses

The above bar chart shows that seventy percent (70%) of the farm/property was damaged to a

large extent, twenty percent (20%) received moderate damage, while 8% a small amount of

damage and two percent (2%) experienced no damage.

70%

20%

8%

2%

Large amount of damage

Moderate amount of damage

Small amount of damage

No damage

To what extent was your farm/produce damaged?

Large amount of damage Moderate amount of damage Small amount of damage No damage

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Number of respondents who

received help from RADA to

restore property

Number of respondents who

did not receive any help from

RADA

Of the respondents who

received help, number of those

who thought it was sufficient.

60%

40%

Yes No

20% 80%

Fig. 8: A table showing the persons who received help from the Rural Agricultural Development

Agency (RADA) to restore farm/property.

Results/Responses

A table showing that sixty percent (60%) of the farmers received help from the Rural

Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) to restore property while forty percent (40%) did not

receive any help. Of the respondents who received help, twenty percent (20%) said that the help

was sufficient while forty percent (40%) said it was not sufficient.

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INTERPRETATION OF DATA

An overwhelming majority of the residents of Water Wheel, Westmoreland stated that Natural

Disasters have negative implications for the community and its thriving farming industry.

Figure 1 shows that majority of the residents, sixty percent (60%) to be precise, were living in

this community for over 15 years, thirty percent (30%) between 11-15 years. Another eight

percent (8%) between 6-10 years and a meagre two percent (2%) have residing in the community

for 1-5 years.

Figure 2 shows the percentage of the resident of the residents who are farmers. Of the results

obtained, it is seen that sixty percent (60%) of the persons residing in Water Wheel are farmers

while the other forty percent (40%) are not.

Figure 3 shows that forty percent (40%) of the persons practicing farming are over the age of 50

years, thirty five percent (35%) are between 41-50 years while twenty percent (20%) are between

31-40 years. The other five (5%) are between 20-30 years.

It was revealed from the study that sixty percent (60%) of the farmers have been involved in

farm practices for over 15 years, twenty five percent (25%) for 11-15 years, ten percent (10%)

for 6-10 years and five percent (5%) for 1-5 years.

Figure 5 revealed that all the farmers (100%) lost most of their crop due to the harmful effects of

hurricane and flooding while thirty percent (30%) of the respondents indicated that their crops

were affected by the drought. However, since 1907 Jamaica has not experience another severe

Earthquake. Hence, zero percent (0%) of the respondent indicated it.

The farmers were mostly affected by the effects of a hurricane and it is seen in Figure 6 that

ninety percent (90%) of the crops were destroyed while ten percent (10%) said they experience

no loss.

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In Figure 7, seventy percent (70%) of the farmers agreed that a large amount of damage was

caused by a hurricane, twenty percent (20%) said they experienced a moderate amount of

damage, eight percent (8%) a small amount and two(2%) did not experience any damage.

Some of the farmers received help in restoring their property from Rural Agricultural

Development Agency (RADA). Of these, sixty percent (60%) said that they received assistance

while the other forty percent (40%) did not. Of the respondents who received help twenty percent

(20%) said it was sufficient while forty percent (40%) said it was not sufficient.

FINDINGS

This survey has revealed substantial amount information on the impact that Natural Disasters

have on the farming industry. We are all aware that Natural Disasters cannot be avoided since

they are caused by nature but they can be predicted to some extent.

With the information received the researcher have discovered that:

Most of the persons practicing farming are males which are approximately 80% and 40%

of these persons practicing farming are over the age of 50 years.

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Majority of the residents have been residing in the community of Water Wheel for over

10 years.

100% of the respondents agreed the natural disasters which they mostly affected by are

hurricane.

The Natural disaster which had the most devastating impact on the farming industry was

hurricane.

Seventy percent (70%) of the residents agreed that a large extent of their property was

damaged due to the hurricane.

Majority of the residents lost livestock/farm during a hurricane.

DISCUSSION OF FINDINGS

As stated in the Literature Review, Natural Disasters are intense tropical depressions, which

cause much damage to farming industries world over. Natural disasters cannot be prevented as

they occur naturally. However, some of them such as hurricanes can be predicted. Unfortunately,

natural disasters such as Earthquakes cannot be predicted.

The hypothesis stated that natural disasters impacted negatively on the farming industry which as

indicated by the results obtained. According to the research carried out, the hypothesis was well

supported since the residents of Water Wheel agreed that Natural disasters were actually a

serious issue in their community. Furthermore, the hypothesis can be related to the findings since

it was shown in the findings that the farmers’ farm/property were damaged to a large extent by

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hurricanes and drought to some extent. In order to maintain machineries such as harvesters,

tractors and disc harrows etc., these commercial farmers need income which comes from the

Agricultural produce. If crops are destroyed then inflow of income will be reduced or stopped

altogether which causes much constraint on the farmers since they will have to find money to

repair machinery when hurricanes occur. In addition, laborers/workers have to be paid for their

services.

From the results the researcher realized that his community and Jamaica on a whole was prone to

certain Natural disasters. Only a few of these caused an immense amount of damage to crops.

However, hurricanes were responsible for most of the damages. Droughts to some extent have

also made some contributions to the destruction of Agricultural produce.

CONCLUSION

In doing this research, the researcher has been able to educate himself more on the effects that

Natural Disasters pose to the farming industry. The hypothesis which stated that Natural

Disasters impacted negatively on the community of Water Wheel was well supported; the also

researcher discovered that Natural Disasters had a negative effect on the farming industry since it

caused destruction to both crops and property. Hence, farmers find it difficult to recover when

Natural disasters affect them. For recovery purposes they had to find income to restore their

property if they do not get any help from the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA).

Natural disasters cannot be prevented since they occur naturally by nature, but they can, to some

extent, be predicted. Therefore, we have to prepare ourselves for them and try to recover from it

when it causes any damage. The damage which these natural forces cause to crops lower the

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production of goods. This affects Agricultural Market on a Local and International level. This

therefore causes Jamaica to export less and import more to meet the requirements of the country

since Agricultural produce are lowered and cannot meet the requirements of the country. Hence,

if Agricultural produce are reduced there will not be enough goods to export (send abroad)

therefore Jamaica will be at lost since foreign exchange income will be reduced.

LIMITATION OF STUDY

There were a number of factors that were faced during the process of this assignment. These

factors are as follows:

Some persons were reluctant to accept the questionnaires- This was because they did not

see it as being beneficial to them.

Answers given by some of the correspondents were not straightforward- This was as a

result of them not being able to express themselves properly. To some extent this is

linked to their academic background.

Inconvenient timing due to other tasks which had to be completed- The researcher had

many interviews to conduct. Hence, the time to do each was limited. In addition, the

farmers did not have much time to spear because of the amount of time their jobs

required.

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The interviews that were done provided too much irrelevant information- This was due

to the fact that most of respondents interviewed were straying from the subject matter.

Also, some of the answers which were obtained were too bulky which took much time to

summarize.

RECOMMENDATION

The importance of knowing what to do when Natural Disaster is about to occur or has occurred

cannot be over emphasized. Natural Disasters cannot be avoided as it is something that occurs by

nature. If a hurricane is about to happen farmers should gather all the produce that is fit for

market. After the hurricane strikes persons should try to recover as soon as possible.

Members of the community can also be of help and play vital role in assisting farmers who need

to clean and restore the proper/farm after the occurrence of a hurricane. In the case of a Drought,

farmers should have a fully irrigated plant system to provide water since rainfall is scarce at this

particular time.

In order to solve the problems faced by farmers after the occurrence of Natural Disaster persons

should:

Invite members who are aware and capable of educating the farmers on how to approach

after the Natural disaster has occurred.

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Write a letter to the editor concerning the issue especially if you are not receiving any

help from the Government

Talk to your parliamentary secretary on the possibility of introducing a law which states

that farmers who need help should be rendered assistance.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ruel B. Reid B.Sc. Dip. Edu (2002) Caribbean Studies- Caribbean Advanced Proficiency

Examination (CAPE) Modules 1-3 Kingston, Jamaica. Ian Randle.

Evrol Beckford B.Sc., M.A (1999). Caribbean Studies Course Outline & Study notes. Jamaica

WEBSITE LINKS

April 23, 2005- http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20050423/farm/farm1.html.

2006- http://www.jamica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060823/business/business7.html.

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QUESTIONNAIRE

1. Gender: ( ) Male ( ) Female

2. Are you a farmer?

( ) Yes

( ) No

3. How long have you been living in the community of …..?

( ) 1-5 years

( ) 6-10 years

( ) 11-15 years

( ) Over 15 years

4. Age group

( ) 20-30 years

( ) 31- 40 years

( ) 41-50 years

( ) Over 50 years

5. Which Natural Disaster have you ever experienced?

( ) Hurricane

( ) Drought

( ) Flooding

( ) Earthquake

6. Have you ever experienced the damage of a Natural Disaster?

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( ) Yes

( ) No

7. Have you lost any livestock or farm produce due to the effect of a Natural Disaster?

( ) Yes

( ) No

8. To what extent was your far / produce damaged?

( ) No damage

( ) Small amount of damage

( ) Moderate amount of damage

( ) Large amount of damage

9. Did you receive any help to restore your property?

( ) Yes

( ) No

10. Did you receive any help from the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA)?

( ) Yes

( ) No

11. How much of the property was restored from the help obtained?

( ) Yes

( ) No

12. How long after was the property restored after the Natural Disaster?