Land degradation by deforestation and unsound agricultural practices in Small Island Developing States (SIDS) has been a major issue in achieving sustainability. The area most
significantly affected by land degradation in Barbados is the Scotland District, which falls
within the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Joseph and St. John. This area accounts for one-seventh
of the island?s topography and is geologically unique. It is the only area on the island where
the limestone cap has been removed. Due to its elevation and geology, the Scotland District is
particularly prone to landslides and slippage.The Addis Alem Co-operative Society Limited (also referred to as Addis Alem Co-op in this
document) has leased approximately six (6) acres of arable land in the area of Turners Hall,
St. Andrew under the Land for Landless Programme of the Barbados Agricultural Development
and Management Corporation (BADMC). The Turners Hall farmland is situated on the downhill
slopes of the Scotland District and is vulnerable to landslides and slippage. The land degradation problems in the Scotland District result from geological and
anthropogenic factors. The soil types in the Scotland District consist of soils derived from
sandstones and Scotland clays. Heavy rainfall on the relatively high slopes increases the
intensity of the surface runoff contributing to soil erosion.The removal and reduction of the natural vegetative cover for agriculture renders the topsoil
more susceptible.Unsustainable land use practices such as excessive
irrigation, the inappropriate use of fertilisers and pesticides, and overgrazing by livestock,
generally contribute to land degradation. Another significant problem in the Scotland District is the lack of access to the potable water
supply, agricultural irrigation and electricity grid. Due to the remote, rural location and low
population density, these public services have not been adequately developed within
proximity of the farmlands. These constraints result in water scarcity and an over-reliance on
fossil fuels for the generation of electricity. Solving these interrelated problems, and those related to food security, requires a range of
agricultural and reforestation interventions coupled with technological improvements in crop
security and post-harvest storage. Blended agroforestry techniques can help to avoid many of
the negative effects described above by combining medicinal tree commodities in diverse
production systems with locally important fruit trees, staple crops, and renewable energy
sources. With recent hikes in food prices, climate change concerns, and the challenge of a growing
human population to feed, the roles of farms and forests in supporting food availability and
nutritional security have returned centre-stage in politics and development.The goal of BAREP is to address these
environmental problems using agroforestry, technology and green energy while building the
capacity of the farmers to operate more sustainably in the Scotland District and work within
the co-operative movement. The objectives of the project are: 1. Reduce number and intensity of landslides and slippage by at least 50% by Jan 2017.
2. Produce two (2) acres of tree products and four (4) acres of plant produce by Jan 2017.
3. Train and assess at least ten (10) farmers and other participants in the areas of
agriculture, project management, information and communication technology, and remedial
literacy and numeracy by Jan 2017.
4. Employ at least five (5) poor women under forty-four (44) years of age in management,
plant nurseries, harvesting, marketing and sales by Jan 2017.
5. Launch an engaging agricultural website with 100 average monthly visitors by 2016.