Contributed
Farmer Mark Lee (right) along with his employees, display samples of June plum reaped from his 418-acre farm, located in Maggotty, St Elizabeth.

On an average, many young men in Jamaica dream of owning their own home, car and even their own businesses. Mark Lee is one such and he doesn't mind getting his hands dirty in the process. Soil dirty, that is.

Mark Lee's passion for farming began when he was only four years old. Now 32, he operates the 418-acre Apple Valley Farms, inclusive of the popular tourist attraction Apple Valley Park, operated by his parents.

Lee's earliest recollection of being involved in the sector is accompanying his mother to the cane fields and getting lost in the bushes on a regular basis. On one instance, he recalls, he was lost for half a day. His interest and subsequent involvement in operating a farm when he could have been gainfully employed in any other area, Lee said, stemmed from a genuine love for the sector and support from his parents.

"I've always been there [on the farm] at heart, I guess because both my parents are somewhat involved, my mother more than my father, in farming but definitely in business, both of them," said Lee.

Start-up capital

He explains that acquiring start-up capital initially was somewhat difficult; especially to finance a business in agriculture, but "a whole lot of assistance" was garnered from the Ministry of Agriculture. This help, he admits, came in the form of "knowledge and some amount of monetary assistance in January 2007, to basically get into the new form of production."

At present, Lee employs some eight individuals in the cultivation of June plum orchards and the production of lettuce and callaloo using greenhouse and hydroponics technology. According to Lee, the output, thus far, is very promising.

Lee has nothing but praises for the technology as, based on the increased yields, he is able to supply his market.

"We are at a little junction right now but we are planning to develop and grow at a faster pace," he said, while adding that he is currently looking at lender agencies to obtain low interest loans to fund the expansion.

For the future, Lee hopes to expand the capability of the farm by constructing a manufacturing plant to process the June plums grown on the farm into stews, chutneys and jams for local consumption.

In addition, plans are in place to expand the fruit tree crop production to an additional 110 acres of arable land, which he currently owns.

"You have to look at it in a very businesslike kind of way. You cannot just go into agriculture because you love it or because your parents or uncle have some kind of land available," he cautioned.

Accept the stigma

"You must understand exactly what you are getting into and be ready to accept the stigma that comes with it - the stigma that says farmers are not necessarily the brightest of people, or that agriculture is not necessarily the brightest of industries to get involved in," he added

"You can't be somebody who is doubtful as to your motives for getting into the industry, because you will be out of it just as quickly. Money is also an important factor and you must know how you are going to fund the venture. It takes cash to care," he advises.