Wilbert Bailey ploughing the soil on his farm in Shooters Hill, Manchester. - photo by george henry

George Henry, Gleaner Writer

Spaldings, Clarendon:

For more than 25 years tilling the soil in Shooters Hill and Craighead, Manchester, has been the way of life for 50-year-old Wilbert Bailey.

"I grew up seeing my father as a farmer and I just got tied up in it. I did not do any other job other than farming. I love farming and especially yam farming," said Mr. Bailey as he explained his sojourn in farming.

Now after two scores and a decade, he wants to expand production. He wants to produce more than the 10,000 yam hills he currently grows on his five-acre property. But he needs to access affordable loans to undertake the expansion. He said the money would enable him to plant other crops such as carrot, red peas and string bean in order to increase his income.

No problems marketing

He said that he had no problems marketing his yams due to the advantageous location of his farm, but noted the challenges being faced by his colleagues in selling their produce.

But, while he is experiencing good yields and steady sales for his main crop, Mr. Bailey lamented the low price being offered for the staple by exporters, noting that the price per pound had dropped from a high of $80 to $20. He complained that the low price was not allowing him to make enough to cover production costs.

Still, he said he would not swap yam farming for any other job. "Boy to how I feel right now I feel like I can go another ten years or so to cultivating crops, especially yellow yam," the proud farmer boasted.