Background -

Background to EcoAgriCulture Project

Small scale subsistence farming is becoming more prevalent on the slopes of Trinidad’s Northern Range, driven mainly by accelerated conversion of agricultural lands to housing (Northern Range Assessment, 2005). While tree crops would be recommended on such slopes, subsistence farmers favour short term crops. Farming short term crops on steep slopes with little to no investment in soil conservation measures such as mulching and terracing, broadly results in excessive water runoff, and aggravation of downstream flooding and siltation of water courses.

Specifically, the intense pressure on the Northern Range due to the escalation in the numbers and activities of subsistence farmers there, is having significant downstream consequences for the heavily populated lower-lying areas, including the capital city of Port-of-Spain and surrounding densely populated residential areas. These consequences include an increase in the frequency, severity and locations of flooding events, disruption in potable water production and distribution, and an overall decrease in quality of freshwater.

While the option of relocating farmers in a land-scarce small island is not politically or socially attractive, unsustainable hillside agricultural practices and their impacts on the environment and downstream activities must be addressed. The aim of this project therefore is to mitigate negative impacts on the environment and downstream communities by piloting alternative farming practices that can assist in improving the returns and sustainability of agriculture for small farmers while alleviating current environmental threats caused by current practices, and sustaining the natural resource base of the Northern Range. The lessons and experiences from this project will be used to inform policy and programmes in the government and non government agencies that influence land use, environmental and water resource management, physical planning, agricultural practices and management of the Northern Range and other similar environments.

The Northern Range Assessment is an integrated assessment of the contribution of ecosystem services provided by the Northern Range of Trinidad and Tobago to human well being.
Click for more information on the Northern Range Assessment