In 2010, hurricane Tomas destroyed a majority of banana plants, many trees, as well as homes and businesses. In 2013, extreme rain caused floods and damage to the water pipeline, leaving thousands without access to public water. Roads and bridges were destroyed, crippling the country?s infrastructure and private homes wiped out , leaving hundreds in shelters. All the damage from
this disaster approximated 17% of GDP of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The recent mud/landslides have opened up the possibility that a recurrence of more heavy rains can further weaken the integrity of the already scarred slopes and hill sides. Many farmers including those who plant ground provisions, vegetables and those involved as livestock farmers were severely affected. Some farmers lost all their stocks including large portions of the lands on which they ply their livelihood.

It is against this background that climate change adaptation measures particularly in the area of Water Management and Agriculture must be put in place to minimise the damages caused by landslides and floods in fragile area. Hurricane Tomas should have awakened many policy makers to the critical importance of managing surface water. The physical damage to farmlands and waterways highlighted the importance of soil cover and options for water retention storage as climate instability demands that farmers are equally prepared for heavy precipitations or extended periods of droughts.
Last but not least, clean water is also a key element for optimal farm hygiene and this basic factor is often ignored in farm planning.

It is of critical importance that small farms have adequate water reserves in order to bridge the long production gap of the dry season particularly in the months of January through April. Hillside farm production could be significantly enhanced if water could be collected at or pumped to the highest point and gravity fed to points of production. Large plastic tanks while adequate for small production at the domestic level could be far better replaced by larger - cement solutions as this is a more economical solution delivering adequate capacity for vegetables and small fruit forestry solutions. Off the grid solar powered DC pumps could be utilized in pumping water to the highest point for gravity fed irrigation. The goal of the project is to promote climate smart adaptation measures by bridging the periods of low precipitation thereby improving production, productivity and disease control during that period by meeting the following five (5) objectives:

(a) Improving water availability for enhanced farm hygiene and disease mitigation (reducing plant stress);
(b) Integrating Renewable Energy Technologies (RET) to small farms Operations ? Off the Grid Adaptation Measures
(c) Improving Farm Security from Praedial Larceny and Roaming Animals
(d) Enhanced Production Capacity on Hill -side farms
(e) Institutional Strengthening Measures for NRWP