George Henry, Gleaner Writer
Nathaniel Lions reaps cassava from his farm in Friendship, St. Elizabeth. - George Henry
SPALDINGS, Clarendon:
NATHANIEL LIONS first experience in farming began at age five when his father died.
Mr. Lions said he learned how to plant seeds such as peas and corn. However, he confessed that it was his mother's devotion and determination in the field that inspired him to become involved full time.
"My mother Ethlyn Levy was also involved in farming and I used to watch her plant her crops as well. It was really what I saw her doing that got me interested then, and here I am, still in it after over 65 years. I have no regrets," confessed Mr. Lions, who is now 70 years old.
The elderly farmer said he has been planting crops such as corn, sweet potatoes, peas, broad beans, peanut, yam, and cassava on his farm in Friendship, St. Elizabeth, for many years.
ENCOUNTERED DIFFICULTIES
"Whatever I have in life right now came through farming, no other source," he declared.
Although farming has been good to him over the years, he has not done it without encountering some difficulties. He told Farmers Weekly that he suffered regularly from droughts and floods. He said the drought cost him almost $50,000. But despite the challenges, he continues to stick to the field.
"When [Hurricane] Charley came I had three acres of peanut and I lost that. When [Hurricane] Ivan came I lost six acres and I don't get anything to help me start over. The drought came and that wipe out most of the peanut and sweet potatoes again," lamented the farmer.
Nonetheless, the dedicated farmer said was currently planting and reaping cassava from his field. The father of 13 children said he did not have the funds to restart production on a full scale, but was gradually replanting his crops until he returned to normal.
