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A total of 3,996 hectares are leased at reasonable rental rates to some 2,717 tenant farmers. Most of these tenant farmers rent land to supplement their income from their own holdings. Some of them have been farming Company-managed land for over 50 years.

The administration of the rented lands is the responsibility of the Lands and Agriculture Department, which provides agricultural extension service, tillage co-ordination service and marketing assistance. The Lands and Agricultural Department also collaborates with other agricultural agencies to facilitate training for farmers. The training courses are all aimed at increasing farm productivity. Annual sale of food crops is valued at over J$50.5 million.

Farming on
reclaimed land

The Lands and Agriculture Department has pioneered research work on embryo transplants in cattle.  The Department has recorded 27 embryo transplant births of dairy calves to beef cows. The success of this programme will significantly improve the genetic production capability of the dairy herds.

To further develop the skill, a collaborative project involving the company, the Ministry of Agriculture and Mining and the University of the West Indies was started in 1995.  The aim of this project is to further investigate embryo transfer in the Jamaica Hope cattle.

The testing of tropical grasses and legumes has been re-introduced at Grove Place. Over 25 species have been planted and relevant data is being collected and documented.

The Orchid Sanctuaries

Jamaica's native orchids are some of its hidden treasures, many of which are unique to the hemisphere.

Because of this, a decision was taken to nurture and protect over sixty-five thousand exotic orchids by establishing two Orchid Sanctuaries; one at Martin's Hill in Manchester and the other at Schwallenburgh in St Ann. These orchids were found prior to mining.

The project was born out of the company's concern to protect and preserve not only air, water and land but also to collect specimens of our beautiful floral heritage for all to see and enjoy. There have been several visits from local horticultural and environmental interest groups. The sanctuaries have also attracted interest from overseas visitors and there has been interest in collaborative research.

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