Mid-Summer Dry Spell and Agriculture in Jamaica : Implications for farming practices techniques and culture

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Sarah J. Jessop (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Advisor

Scott Curtis

Abstract: At the beginning of the 21st century Jamaica stands in a precarious situation which could have serious implications for the island's future. This stress may not have derived from a decrease in precipitation due to climate change as well as a lack of interest in farming from smallholder farmers which has become increasingly unsustainable. Younger Jamaicans have rejected farming as a career and instead opted for quick cash or migration out of the country in the hope of making their wealth elsewhere in the world. Thus crop yields are at risk due to a smaller agricultural workforce. With decreasing labor rates and the current international economic crisis the need for a high agricultural efficiency is greater than ever.  Annual yields are also affected climatologically by a mid-summer atmospheric phenomenon called the Mid-Summer Dry Spell (MSD) resulting in bimodal rainy seasons in April-June and August-November. Understanding how rainfall affects crop production is a primary goal of this research. To accomplish this a three part analysis will be conducted utilizing correlations between rainfall and crop yield mapping with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and analysis of how the MSD impacts brightness greenness and wetness of vegetation. 

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Date: 2012

Keywords

Geography, Atmospheric sciences, Agriculture, Jamaica, Mid-Summer Dry Spell (MSD), Rainfall, Social, Suitability

Subjects

Farms, Small--Jamaica

Agriculture--Social aspects--Jamaica

Agricultural laborers--Jamaica

Rain and rainfall--Jamaica

Rainfall reliability--Jamaica

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