Nobody wannu plant the corn: Small Scale Community Farming

Food sustainability is one of the growing concerns for many small island nations. The ability to feed a country has growing implications for the future development of many Caribbean countries. Increasing expenditure on the... [ view full abstract ]

Food sustainability is one of the growing concerns for many small island nations. The ability to feed a country has growing implications for the future development of many Caribbean countries. Increasing expenditure on the importation of food items into the Caribbean means consumers are faced with soaring prices for healthy food choices. Because of economic downtown and the lower cost of unhealthy food the Caribbean has a high population of obesity and other chronic health conditions. This research seeks to measure the feasibility of small scale community farms as a means to combat rising food costs. The Caribbean has two favorable conditions climate and rich fertile soil that makes small scale community farming an attractive possibility. The aim of this research is twofold. One provide examples of communities that have initiated small scale community farming and discuss their success and challenges in this venture. This aim will occur by conducting a literature review of the current discussion related to small scale farming. Second provide policy recommendations on the challenges and implementation of small scale community farming in the Caribbean. Key stakeholders and local farmers will place small scale farming into the Bahamian context with their insight and experience.  The overall objective of this project is to seek funding to pilot a small-scale community farming in the Bahamas.  This project would be one of the first pilot projects of this kind in the Caribbean.