George Henry, Gleaner Writer
Former Mayor Minnie Clarke, on her farm. - GEORGE HENRY PHOTO
Spaldings, Clarendon:
AFTER 27 years as a politician, Minnie Clarke has come full circle and is once again in touch with her roots in farming. Today, she can be found on her farm in Top Alston in Spaldings tilling the soil as she graces in retirement.
The former Mayor of May Pen said that agriculture was a part of her life before she entered representational politics. "I was always in farming. I used to dig yam on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and half day Wednesday when it was selling for $10 per pound," Miss. Minnie related. She added that she collected over $90,000 in sales after the four days. The following week she collected over $60,000 again for yam and another $61,000 from the sale of ginger, which helped her purchase a Leyland truck for transporting her produce.
MORE CHALLENGING
She, however, admitted that farming was more challenging now than when she first learned the craft from her late parents, Harold and Geraldine Jobson and later practised with her late husband. She said her farm has now been reduced to two acres of yam and ginger, down from the usual five acres.
She noted that her ginger crop was not doing too badly, but was being affected by disease which causes the root of the rhizome to rot in the field when it is close to maturity.
Like many farmers in Jamaica, the cost of inputs has been taking a toll on her pocket. She said that the price of fertilisers was now out of the reach of farmers and very soon many of her colleagues in the business could be forced to 'put away their tools'.
CHERISHED MOMENTS
Nonetheless, she said her moments in the field were ones she cherished and will continue farming. According to Miss Minnie, her involvement in the business over the many years has paid off. She is also encouraging more women to get into farming. "Get into farming. Don't sit down and wait on the man to get everything for you. Start some farming and encourage your husband or boyfriend so that ends can meet."
