Replanting Union Island begins with yellow plum

by Anthony G Stewart, PhD

With their vast experience of growing plants under desert-like conditions, the Israelis were invited here for consultations by Agronomist, James Mitchell. After evaluating the situation, the consultants said, “call us when you have gotten rid of the animals on the loose.” Years later in about the year 1993, the Environmental Action Committee, a community-based organization thought that they had gotten the wild animal issue under control and traditional cultivation resumed. This bold action was torpedoed when the local visiting police arrested the ranger who had shot a donkey that was causing damage to a farm. Since then, animals have been on the loose and have caused thousands of dollars’ worth of damage to the crops and vegetation on the island. Production rather than destruction is the tradition of the island. Corn, peas, peanuts, potatoes, cassava, ochro and many others were grown for local consumption and for export. Animals were also produced, but they were controlled. There was an ecological balance. To control the animals, various methods were used including shooting, poisoning by cassava water, execution by cutlass and impounding. The District Officer and the resident police played their role.

The tradition was that owners of animals and their children rose early in the morning, tended their animals, cleared pastureland, cut grass, stored corn bush, peas shells, and often cut bush to feed their animals. They were attended to daily ensuring that they got water to drink. Many had pens and regular sleeping places. Milk from cows was sold to neighbours and meat was made available on weekends.

Nowadays many old men are still in love with rearing animals but do not have the time to do so. Their children and grandchildren set up late at night and wake up late in the morning. They all do not have the time needed to tend animals. It is not right for those who cannot care for animals be allowed to keep them. The wise thing to do is to have them sold and allow the island to be repopulated with fruits, flowers and cultivation.

Present Seventh Day Adventist (SDA) Clergy, Pastor Aldon Ambrose, and future SDA Clergy, Solomon Stewart are leading the way in the replanting process by planting the first yellow plum post Hurricane Beryl at Gardenfield, Union Island. Many hands and many plants would be needed.