The influx of inexpensive imported foods to Jamaica over the last few decades has made it impossible for local farmers to compete, essentially bringing the farming that feeds the country to a halt. Farm Up Jamaica plans to change that. With operations in 10 of Jamaica’s parishes, Farm Up Jamaica is a non-profit organization that educates youth and distressed farmers in the best practices of Organic Climate-Smart Agriculture and helps them earn a living wage. 

“Thanks to funding from doTERRA Healing Hands Foundation, we’ve been able to expand our pineapple farm,” said Neil Curtis, Executive Director of Farm Up Jamaica. “This project is about so much more than planting more crops. It’s about creating opportunities—hands-on experience with organic farming, as well as the opportunity to set up a business and learn how to negotiate contracts with local hotels. We’re here to take people, especially youth, through the whole process of becoming agri-entrepreneurs.” 

doTERRA Wellness Advocates worked side-by-side with local students to clear land, prepare and plant over three thousand pineapple suckers, spread mulch, and move water tanks into place so a drip system could be installed. 

“What we’ve been able to accomplish in just two days with doTERRA’s help would have taken us months to complete,” said Dahlia Cole, Farm Manager for Farm Up Jamaica. “Not only are pineapples indigenous to Jamaica, but they are also a very sustainable crop. As they grow, they make their own suckers, which means once we buy a pineapple sucker, we never have to buy another one. They just keep reproducing, providing a consistent source of food and income.”   

Farm Up Jamaica is creating a brighter future for agriculture in the region. Find out how you can further Farm Up Jamaica’s mission to decrease Jamaica’s food imports, create jobs and agri-entrepreneurship opportunities, and reduce crime and poverty.