JAWiC Sustainability Initiative
Problem : The livelihoods of Jamaican coffee farmers are being severely impacted by reduced yields and increased pest and diseases brought on by changing climatic conditions.
Solution : JAWiC is designing transformative opportunities which support the livelihoods of coffee farmers, build their adaptive capacity, and encourage sustainability against the impacts of climate change through good agricultural practices.
Climate change is considered to be an unprecedented challenge in fostering sustainable coffee farming livelihoods. According to the ITC (2010), “coffee growers are by far the most numerous group that is directly affected and the most vulnerable” to climate change impacts. Jamaica’s coffee farmers have already been experiencing decreased rainfall, increased temperatures, increased pest and diseases, seasonal changes, more severe storms, and extended drought conditions.
Even as coffee farmers face the debilitating impacts of climate change, they have been further disadvantaged by multiple socio-economic, political and institutional stressors. As coffee farmers experience new seasonal dynamics, and changing crop calendars, they have been left to survive these unfavorable conditions on their own. The existing institutional construct and uneven power dynamics which currently shape the island’s coffee industry has not only hindered the growth of the sector, but has also constrained the livelihoods of farmers. Low farm gate prices, limited support services and a lack of social and financial safety nets have also reduced the ability of farmers to efficiently mobilize resources towards tackling the impacts of climate change and sustaining their coffee farming livelihoods.
JAWiC intends to disrupt the status quo associated with the operation of Jamaica’s coffee industry by creatively empowering coffee farmers with the resources needed to improve their adaptive capacity, increase their resilience, and sustain their livelihoods. Furthermore, as JAWiC engages stakeholders across the coffee value chain, collective action is not only strengthened, but the sustainability of innovative adaptation strategies is also encouraged.
Who Benefits?
This initiative is targeted at serving everyone, from the women of coffee in Jamaica to the entire world. The initial impacts of climate change will be most severe for farmers, and their ability to respond will affect the entire industry. Due to this, a great deal of our energy will be focused on farmers.
Project Lead : Jhannel Tomlinson
Current Status : Jhannel is currently acting as a global ambassador for Jamaican women, increasing awareness about the threats of climate change. She recently served as a delegate at the UN Youth Climate Action Summit, and moderated a discussion on ‘Jamaica's Climate Action Innovators’ live on Facebook on 02 October 2019, produced by UNDP Jamaica (United Nations Development Programme).
Next Steps : We are currently awaiting the results of our Field Survey for guidance on the most urgent needs the farmers in our community are facing. When we have collected and analyzed the data, we will create a detailed plan of action for 2020.
JAWiC Secretary Jhannel Tomlinson moderates 'Jamaica's Climate Action Innovators’ -- Watch LIVE on Facebook October 2.