It has long been the misconception that the typical Jamaican farmer is someone over 50 years old, barely making a living from his subsistence farm, after years of toiling in the sun and rain, using primitive equipment, but Gary Ebanks has broken that mould.

The 24-year-old farmer, a resident of Flagaman, St Elizabeth, is one of many young Jamaicans who have made agriculture their profession of choice.

Ebanks, a trained programmer, credits his father for introducing him to the world of agriculture, while still a boy, growing up in rural Jamaica. "My father became a fisherman at 17. At 22, he left that for farming. Now, he is 62 years old and is still involved in the sector," he revealed.

Following short stints at Northern Caribbean University and Caribbean Institute of Technology in Montego Bay, Ebanks conducted research, looking at the prospects of agriculture in Jamaica. Based on his discoveries, he sought financing from his family, who were seasoned entrepreneurs, to start production of scallion on approximately four acres of family land.

However, the youngster's hope of making it big in agriculture were dashed, as shortly after production started and operations expanded from 2,000 to 12,000 pounds produced on 18 acres, his primary client, Walkerswood Limited, closed.

major setback

This was a major setback for Ebanks but, as he went on to explain, following the closure, he tried to source new markets and did so successfully.

"Before the closure of the company, I was looking at other markets because I don't put all my eggs in one basket," he said.

Now, Ebanks supplies vendors islandwide, with his biggest client coming from Central Food Processors, which accounts for 5,000 pounds of his produce per week.

The youngster acknowledges that he was lucky to have survived the crisis and was able to retain the staff of 31, by using money earned from additional sales for salaries.

"Most of the other farmers in my area that were supplying the company had to get loans to continue production because most of their money were tied up in the organisation. Thankfully, I did not have to go that route," he said.

With all the setbacks Ebanks has encountered, remaining resolute has helped him to see the fruits of his labour.

the taste of success

The taste of success does not satiate the fire in Gary Ebanks. He wants and strives for more.

It is this passion that has caused him to consider expanding production to 45 acres.

To secure additional markets for the yields that are expected, he is eyeing going beyond the borders of Jamaica.

Next month, Ebanks will be taking the first step towards realising that dream when he attends the Caribbean Week of Agriculture in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

The agricultural dream for Gary Ebanks will not be achieved until his ultimate goal of acquiring an agro-processing facility is realised. It is his intention to provide semi-processed escallion to the local and international market.

A factory of this nature would also assist in lessening the importation of the commodity from Costa Rica as well as provide an outlet for processing the produce when it is in abundance.