Neil Curtis
Founder and CEO of Farm Up Jamaica
Neil Curtis, Founder and CEO of Farm Up Jamaica
Neil Curtis, Founder and CEO of Farm Up Jamaica, considers farming a significant part of his heritage. “In the days my parents were living in Jamaica back in the 1940s, agriculture was the backbone of the island. It was a way of life. A lifestyle that yielded more than crops, the family farm was a space for children to grow. The profits from the land funded education and eventually enabled our relocation to the US,” he says.
“The world is relentlessly taking from the land and making what is being produced seem insignificant. What is naturally grown strengthens economies and sustains life.” After inheriting a 60-acre cacao farm in 2013, Neil faced a challenge. He discovered that despite 90% of the island being farmland, most produce was imported. Acres of cropland were uncultivated due to a lack of government support. The dangerous combination of outdated farming techniques and climate change weather conditions worsened the situation.
After attending the Jamaica Diaspora Conference in Jamaica, in the same year, Neil took inspiration from like-minded diasporans passionate about agriculture, and founded Farm Up Jamaica. He was resolved to find a solution that would unlock the potential of the nation. “At Farm Up, we have a heartfelt interest in identifying the problems and the solutions to help farmers,” he says. “It’s not just about money. It’s about putting the resources and, most importantly, the people in place to stamp out poverty and get people working in an entrepreneurial way.”
The how has taken nearly a decade to develop and focused on two key areas; a cultural shift in attitude and technical innovations in organic farming, which the organisation shortens to RCSA (regenerative climate-smart agriculture).
“One of the biggest blockers to progress is the legacy of the colonial mindset. It divides rather than brings people together.” Neil says. Starting out, he spent time asking young people what they would want as the next generation of “Agri-Entrepreneurs”. “Gen Z are the new farmers. They are the ones that care enough to take things to the new level,” he continues.
Neil and his team have worked since then to rebrand what it means to be a farmer in Jamaica today. Transforming it to a profession that can pay a premium, and holds the respect and honour of accomplishment.
The results speak for themselves. Farm Up has taught over 650 students sustainable techniques that reduce carbon and, in some cases, water usage by two-thirds. “RCSA didn’t come overnight, in my experience. It takes lots of trial and error to create new technology.” Using only sunlight and water, during a trial that placed old techniques against RCSA, farmers grew a crop of sweet peppers in 24 days instead of 60.
“Our model is based on proven technology. It can be used globally, and we want to share it with the world. Conversations about climate change shouldn’t outweigh the actions we take. We’ve been catapulted into the climate change conundrum and we are facing it head on.”
With Dr. Julius Garvey, youngest son of Pan-African leader, and Jamaica’s first National Hero, The Right Excellent Marcus Garvey, as a key strategic member of their team, Farm Up has gained access to the rich history of ideas and techniques for the cultural transformation needed at home and to connect with agricultural communities’ needs, and ideas globally.
Neil aspires to work with more scientists to scale Farm Up’s impressive metrics for wider use. “Agri-Entrepreneurship is the exit strategy for a population in need. Jamaica is more than a tourist destination,“ he says. “There is so much warmth and potential in the people.”
Interview by: Tega Okiti
