Claudia Gardner, Gleaner Writer 
Effie McMahon on her farm in Dias, Hanover. - Claudia Gardner Photo
HANOVER:
When Effie McMahon started commercial farming 25 years ago in the community of Dias in Hanover, she had very high hopes. At the age of 47, she has no regrets about her career choice.
Ms. McMahon specialises in yam farming. She cultivates
several varieties of yams, such
as Lucea, yellow and renta on half-acre of land in Dias. She also raises chickens and grows corn, pumpkin, plantain and bananas on another section of her property.
PROFITABLE BUT DEMANDING
Ms. McMahon said she became involved in farming from an early age when she used to carry water to her grandparents on their farm as a child. She said that yam farming, while very profitable, was very demanding.
"My yam farm has helped to send my children to school and to build my house," she told Farmers Weekly in a recent interview. "I like growing my yam in my 'ground' because I find producing my own things rewarding. I feel like gold is all over me when I see my plants growing nicely," she said, adding that she visits her farm every day at daybreak to plant 'yam heads', pull weeds, and secure her yam vines onto
bamboo yam-sticks. In addition to her yams, Ms. McMohan sells coconut, ackee, soursop and mango in the Montego Bay
market on Saturdays.
"I take approximately 60 pounds of yams to the market on Saturdays and every time I go there, people buy off every pound," she said. "The Lucea and yellow yams are the most sought-after yams at the Montego Bay market."
