Environmental Arrears to the Impoverished Hillside Farmers in Xaymaca

Abstract

There is litlle documented empirical evidence to suppoport popular claims of widespread rampant watershed degradation in Jamaica. Whilst it undobtedly occurs, it is confined to specific locations. Farming systems as practiced by hillside farmers favour natural regeneration adn compatibility due to being low-intensive and highly diversidies crop-mix farming systems. Small hillside farmers on public or private and play a major role in the protection of the watersheds, notwithstanding the fact that their farming systems are not compatible nor enduring. Hence in summary, their farming systems appear to be environmentally friendly as sustainable as long as the incentive systems that encompass them are ensured.