Impact Makers: David Henry

Using regenerative agriculture to combat climate challenges in Saint Lucia By Climate Champions | November 6, 2024

NAME

David Henry

TITLE

Co-Founder and President, ReThink Youth / CEO, Strategy Reloaded

LOCATION

Castries, Saint Lucia

ABOUT

David Henry, Founder and President of ReThink Youth and CEO of Strategy Reloaded, leads the Vetiver Smart Farms initiative, a project focused on promoting regenerative agriculture practices to address the climate and environmental challenges faced by Saint Lucia’s farming communities. Through the implementation of the Vetiver Grass System (VGS), the initiative tackles critical issues like soil erosion, land degradation, and water scarcity, which are intensified by climate change.

MOTIVATIONS

“My journey into regenerative agriculture and climate resilience stems from a deep-seated belief in sustainable livelihoods for rural communities. Growing up in Saint Lucia, I witnessed firsthand how climate change, particularly soil erosion and water scarcity, threatened our agricultural sector and the livelihoods of our local farmers. The Vetiver Smart Farms initiative emerged from the desire to create sustainable solutions to these environmental issues, transforming traditional farming practices into eco-friendly ones that could safeguard our land and water resources. Vetiver grass, with its powerful root system, became an ideal tool to stabilize soil, and my experience with local farmers showed me how transformative hands-on training could be. This initiative represents my commitment to bridging climate resilience and sustainable farming, empowering farmers to protect their environment and improve their productivity.”

IMPACTS

BEFORE

While challenges persist, before the Vetiver Smart Farms initiative, farmers and communities in Saint Lucia encountered numerous obstacles that limited agricultural productivity and environmental resilience:

• Many farmlands were prone to landslides, with slopes eroding during heavy rains, causing loss of topsoil, nutrients, and arable land. This left soils infertile and compromised crop growth.

• Farmers primarily relied on traditional practices, which, while familiar, were not equipped to handle the accelerating impacts of climate change, such as unpredictable rainfall patterns and prolonged dry spells.

• Few local farmers had opportunities for training in sustainable practices or access to resources that could help stabilize their land. The high cost of soil conservation tools and lack of community programmes meant that adopting new methods was financially and logistically challenging.

• Facing repeated crop failures, reduced yield, and income instability, some farmers were forced to abandon their farms, resulting in lost economic opportunities and underutilized land.

• Many rural communities were not aware of how soil erosion, deforestation, and other environmental issues directly impacted their livelihoods, resulting in limited collective action to address these issues.

AFTER

The Vetiver Smart Farms initiative is helping generate transformative, lasting changes in Saint Lucia’s agricultural landscape and rural communities:

• The adoption of the VGS by over 50 farmers has led to a 35% reduction in soil erosion.

• Farmers using VGS report a 25% improvement in water retention, with soils holding moisture longer, especially during droughts. This has led to improved crop resilience, enabling farms to produce healthy yields even in drier seasons, thereby reducing the risk of crop failure due to water scarcity.

• Through the VTEC Academy, over 60 farmers have gained hands-on experience in sustainable agriculture. 85% have integrated these practices into their operations, promoting a culture of sustainability within rural communities.

• Farmers have experienced a 20-30% increase in crop yields, which has bolstered local food security and increased farmers’ income stability. With improved productivity, farmers are now able to invest back into their farms, strengthening long-term resilience and reducing the need for seasonal migration or farm abandonment.

• The initiative has engaged young farmers, women, and other marginalized groups, offering them valuable agricultural training and economic opportunities. Women and youth have gained both knowledge and financial independence, contributing to gender equity and the revitalization of farming communities.

• Farmers and community members are now more conscious of the importance of environmental conservation. The initiative has cultivated a collective sense of responsibility, with farmers working together to protect their shared land and resources. This unity has empowered rural communities to take an active role in safeguarding their natural environment, with plans to build community nurseries and nurseries that promote native plant species.

• The success of Vetiver Smart Farms in Saint Lucia has laid the groundwork for expansion into other Caribbean islands.

CHALLENGES

David faced several challenges while leading the Vetiver Smart Farms initiative:

• Many farmers were initially hesitant to adopt the VGS due to doubts about its effectiveness and its unfamiliarity. Overcoming this required consistent community engagement, with hands-on demonstrations showing immediate improvements in soil stability and water retention.
• Expanding the initiative to reach more farmers and cover additional regions required significant financial resources. Limited initial funding restricted the pace of growth, with funds primarily allocated to essential training and basic resources. Strategic partnerships with organizations like ReThink Youth and Strategy Reloaded, along with contributions from community members, helped bridge some funding gaps and allowed the project to continue.
• Heavy rainfall posed a challenge to project schedules, as it slowed down vetiver planting and soil preparation work. To mitigate these disruptions, the team introduced flexible timelines and adaptable training sessions, allowing farmers to continue learning and implementing practices despite delays caused by adverse weather.
• Access to tools, seeds, and even consistent transportation in remote areas created logistical hurdles. In some cases, transporting materials like vetiver plants and farming supplies to rural communities became challenging. To address this, the initiative set up local nurseries and supply hubs, minimizing the need for frequent long-distance transport and making resources more accessible to farmers.
• While eager to learn, some farmers had limited prior experience with regenerative agriculture practices, requiring more intensive training and guidance. This challenge was met by establishing the VTEC Academy, which provided farmers with comprehensive, hands-on training, enabling them to gain confidence and competence in sustainable farming techniques.
• Partnering with local organizations and agencies involved navigating administrative requirements that sometimes slowed down project approvals or access to public lands for nurseries. Working closely with local policymakers and advocating for streamlined processes helped in addressing these challenges over time.
• As word of the project’s success spread, demand from other farmers and communities grew faster than expected, straining the project’s resources and capacity. The initiative’s popularity emphasized the need for more funding and support to expand sustainably while ensuring each community receives the necessary resources and training to succeed.

GOALS

“The vision for Vetiver Smart Farms is to expand beyond Saint Lucia to support farming communities throughout the Caribbean, equipping them with sustainable practices that can counter climate-related challenges unique to each island. Our next steps include developing digital training resources, such as an online theory course, to make our techniques accessible to a wider audience. Additionally, we aim to establish partnerships with regional governments and environmental organizations to facilitate knowledge exchange and adaptation of the VGS across different terrains and climates. By focusing on community engagement and expanding the VTEC Academy, we aim to empower more farmers, enhance food security, and contribute to a resilient Caribbean agricultural landscape.”

ADVICE

For anyone looking to implement regenerative agriculture, starting with community buy-in and building trust with local farmers is essential. Demonstrating the tangible benefits, as we did through hands-on training and initial soil improvements, can alleviate skepticism and inspire adoption. Another lesson is the importance of flexibility – agricultural projects often face external challenges, such as weather, requiring adaptable timelines. Finally, partnerships are crucial; by collaborating with local organizations, you can leverage both financial and human resources, which can sustain and expand the project’s impact over time.”

HOW YOU CAN HELP

The Vetiver Smart Farms initiative is driving sustainable agriculture practices in the Caribbean. Here’s how you can support:

For Businesses and Investors: Businesses interested in sustainable agriculture can partner with the initiative for project funding, technology investments, and resources for farm nurseries, particularly in drought-affected areas.

For NGOs and Policymakers: Policymakers and NGOs can collaborate to promote regenerative farming in policy frameworks, provide technical guidance, and help extend practices to other regions.

For Individuals and Donors: Your donations can support the development of training programs and the purchase of necessary equipment, such as water conservation tools and farm supplies. Every contribution helps empower local farmers and create a lasting impact.

CONTACT

LinkedIn

DISCOVER MORE IMPACT MAKERS