Agriculture accounts for 20% of Jamaica’s labour force and represents approximately 5% of the country’s GDP. Agriculture is especially vulnerable to global changes in the climate and deterioration of this sector will severely impact rural farming communities and threaten national food security. As a result, a community based approach is integral to building local climate change resilience and thus, national adaptive capacity.

The overall goal of the Climate Change project is to build climate change resilience and adaptation in the farming community of Cedar Valley, St. Thomas, to boost and secure livelihoods and quality of life through agriculture, water storage and conservation, and protection of natural resources.

Project Objectives

• To identify, develop and support community based adaptive capacity and strategies to combat the impacts of climate change and build resilience with focus on water availability, sustainable livelihoods and agriculture
• To develop and implement disaster risk reduction (DRR) strategies for the community
• To improve the management of land and natural resources within the community and surrounding environment
• To improve knowledge on climate change and associated mitigation and adaptive practices especially targeting young people and women.

Expected Results

• Improve land and water management
• Educate members of the community about proper sanitation and hygiene
• To develop and promote innovative irrigation techniques
• To strengthen the capacity of communities in water management

Achievements to Date

• Conducted climate change awareness sessions with community
• Distributed one hundred (100) rainwater harvesting apparatus (black tanks) to each of one hundred (100) direct project beneficiaries for households and farms
• Completed Hazard Mapping and Vulnerability Assessment of the community
• Developed Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies
• Identified 17 acres of denuded land for replanting
• Established 5 hectares of cash crops
• Farmers trained in sustainable agricultural techniques (such as contouring, application of fertilizer, seed germination, among other topics), rainwater harvesting, irrigation, and slope stabilization.

The project, which is funded by USAID with cost-share contributions from EHF, commenced in 2011 and will be completed in 2014.

Project Close-out Ceremony - EHF/USAID Climate Change Aadaptation Project in Cedar Valley St Thomas

Innovation, Science & Technology Meet Climate Change Adaptation at the Cedar Valley Primary & Junior High School in St.Thomas

EHF/USAID Hands over Multi-Hazard Mapping, Vulnerability Assessment, and Disaster Risk Reduction Strategies Final Report

EHF Partners with USAID to Assist the Cedar Valley Primary & Junior High School