The economy was sustained through the export of bananas. The tradition of growing the export
crop bananas has resulted in land degradation, water pollution and other negative effects on the
environment, due to the use of synthetic fertilizers. Planting on step slopes also resulted in soil
erosion.
The persistent use of chemicals for the production of food has helped increase the incidence of
CNCDs on the island. It means therefore that the sustainability of both the environment and the
people is affected, (the ability of the land to produce and the decrease in health condition of the
people-many suffer from CNCDs). There is now a dire need to reverse this trend and address this
tendency.
The reduction in income from sale of bananas has forced persons to seek alternative forms of
employment. Interest in the consumption of organically grown food is growing as the message of
sustainable development begins to take root on the island. There is a now a greater desire in
persons to grow, produce and eat organically grown foods. The Cooperative wants to capitalize
on this opportunity to commercially produce and supply the community and neighbouring
villages with these products but lacks the necessary capital resources.
The objectives of your organization are:
1. To help combat poverty.
2. To create employment, generate economic activity, and promote self reliance.
3. To promote sustainable use of the environment, organic farming and the consumption
of organically grown food.
4. To pool community resources for the production of goods and services.
5. To encourage local investment.
6. To encourage healthy eating habits.
7. To contribute to the reduction in the island?s food import bill and ensure food security.
This project seeks to assist with the reduction in the use of fertilizers, pesticides, the prevention
of land degradation, and a reduction in the incidence of Chronic Non Communicable Disease
(CNCDs) in the community. There is a need to make available more organically grown foods
especially vegetables to villagers.