When tomato reigned on the plains

Desmond Henry

TREASURE BEACH: There's always something special about looking back at defining periods in one's lifetime. It is even more special if that particular period is one in which you actually grew up. So it was during the heydays of the tomato industry, when that industry reigned supreme on the southern St. Elizabeth plains.

The years were during the mid-forties to early fifties, when Major Moxey and Jamaica Vegetables Limited transformed an entire geographic region into one of Jamaica's most productive and agriculturally rewarding areas through the growing, processing and exporting of first class tomatoes. It was an industry that did many things.

In the first place it provided a good income for all participating farmers. Secondly it created an agricultural management class that was second to none in their understanding, guiding and directing of a special form of agricultural enterprise. Men like Teacher Henry, Crafton Reynolds, Nathaniel Reynolds, Maurice Gordon, Vincent Reynolds, Uriah Rowe and others, became bona fide experts in qualitative tomato growing and in the process, trained farmers in an entire region how to be market-competitive.

Thirdly, the industry spawned what is regarded today as the most unique form of St. Elizabeth farming practice ­ dry weather grass mulching. The practice was simple. Because of the unpredictable rainfall, farmers had to devise a way to keep moisture in the ground for extended periods, until the next rains came. The guinea grass was the answer.

Its long thickly-clustered blades made it ideal for mulching in a way that resembled the land being carpeted. Acres upon acres of freshly prepared land would be covered over with guinea grass in a visual carpeting of the entire plains, providing an attractive harmonious contrast with the surrounding landscape. It was beauty to the eyes. Planting would commence after the first rainfall, from suckers in extended nurseries, and hand-watered every evening at sundown. Addition-ally, each plant would be protected from the direct sun by creative hand-made tents folded from the grass around each hole, and remained until rooting took place. An industry was in the process of being born.

As the industry grew and farmers benefited, a new sense of pride emerged among the growers, their families and entire communities. To be 'a tomato man' was to be identified as a successful farmer. Pride was pre-eminent because success was guaranteed. In my area, growers held regular meetings in the Pedro Plains schoolroom at which they all shared ideas and experiences. Tomato husbandry also became a leading subject for studying in the school garden every Thursday afternoon. There was no getting away from knowing about tomato growing.

It was Major Moxey, however, who provided the extra dimensions. As head of Jamaica Vegetables Ltd, he operated and managed the packaging plant at Bull Savannah from which fruits were graded, packaged and processed for shipping to the U.K. As the industry grew, additional packing facilities were built in the Pedro Plains area, where the major farms were located. They bore in great volume. The favourite species was the Marglobe followed by Potentate and Oxheart. I remember Major Moxey once trying to introduce a new brand named the Kleeva which did not do competitively well. The Marglobe was the money spinner.

Today, the practice of mulching has spread into other areas of vegetable production. After over forty years without irrigation, the process of dry weather mulching has propelled the region into becoming the pre-eminent supplier of all table top vegetables consumed in Jamaica. Can you imagine what could have happened with irrigation? Its practice has drawn students and researchers from all over the world, to see how it is carried out.

If anything, I believe that something lasting and significant should be established to the memory of pioneers like Moxey and the initial farmers. At 92, Vincent Reynolds is perhaps the only original still around. It would be a sound tribute to him and his associates, if something which drew attention to the great efforts by him and them, was established. It is high time we begin a deliberate process of grass roots rural and community honour for the benefit of pride, history and posterity.

The Bottom Line: In some future, time, the so-called Dark Ages might be seen as including our own.

Desmond Henry is a marketing strategist based in Treasure Beach, St. Elizabeth.

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