Rockfort brothers turn dump into thriving farm

In the heart of the tough East Kingston community of Rockfort, two brothers, Kevon and Davian Watt, are busy cultivating brighter days.

Determined not to be caught up in any of the violence around them, the Watt brothers grabbed their machetes and attacked a filthy, garbage-choked plot of land that had long been written off as just another eyesore in the community.

Within weeks, the siblings had turned the space into a booming farm and months later they were reaping real reward.

"From mi a youth a grow up a bare rubbish use to throw away over here. So, we go out a Cement Company and get some palette and we start fence it off," Kevon told THE STAR.

He said their efforts to convert marginal lands into a farm received support from Phillip Paulwell, the member of parliament for Kingston Eastern and Port Royal.

"Him see what we a do and give us some strength and we start do we ting about four years now," Kevon said.

When THE STAR visited the thriving farm last week, Kevon was sweating under the blazing midday sun, lovingly tending to their sprawling pumpkin patch. He never expected the pumpkin seeds they planted "just to try a ting" would explode into such success. He told the team that a few months ago, he and his brother decided to add a few pumpkin seeds to their farm, they had no idea that the reward would be this great.

"Right now we reap a whole heap already, and we have nuff, nuff leave. It's like the vine just get out of control and just bear some really big pumpkin. Yea man, pumpkin a sell like hot bread over here," Kevon said.

" Some really big pumpkin come out a we farm and we supply like the police station canteen, schools and Flour Mills and so on," he added.

Prior to planting pumpkin, Kevon said they had harvested broccoli, callaloo, plantains, bananas, kidney bean, peppers and others. The father of three says his children are his motivation stating that they have all made him proud academically.

"Every time mi think about mi kids mi push harder because dem a make mi proud. Dem a accomplish tings whe mi never get. One a dem go Ardenne High and a the School Challenge Quiz team him a guh try out for in September. One go Excelsior Prep and the other go Kingston College, and mi a tell yuh say all three a dem a get over 80s average. "Mi feel good so mi will work in the sun every day fi dem," he said.

Agriculture plays a vital role in Jamaica's economy, serving as both a source of employment and a contributor to national food security. In recent years, there has been a renewed push to modernize the sector with technology and sustainable practices, aiming to reduce import dependence, strengthen local supply chains, and create new opportunities for youth and entrepreneurs.