Coping with climate change : Social ecological resilience to climate change for smallholding farms in Portland, Jamaica. Analysing the implementation of the pineapple variety MD2.

Sammanfattning: In Portland Jamaica, smallholding farmers are facing major challenges in terms of economic uncertainty and climate change. This study is analyzing a project which aims at increasing farmers ability to adapt to climate change. The objective of the project is to introduce the pineapple variety MD2 for smallholder farmers in Portland Jamaica. The main objective of this study is to investigate which aspects of the project that could increase or decrease buffering capability in the context of social-ecological resilience. The study is conducted during a minor field study during eight weeks in Portland, Jamaica. Data was collected through observation on farms together with semi-structured interviews with farmers and initiators of the project. The results have been analyzed through the theory of social-ecological resilience (Danhofer et al, 2011). Even though there are many aspects which could influence buffering capability, the study outlines some aspects of the implementation of the pineapple variety MD2 that could increase or decrease farmers buffering capability. Aspects which could increase buffering capability are; generating an alternative income and providing and introducing beneficial farming practices which could limit soil erosion on hillside land. Aspects which are threatening to decrease farmers buffering capability are; lack of knowledge and previous experience of the crop variety, usage of chemical means of control and lack of inputs of organic material.