Fifty-two-year-old Ansel Williams is an accomplished yam farmer who has made a decent livelihood out of his lifelong occupation, which began when he was just 13 years old.

Williams told the Jamaica Information Service (JIS) of many creditable achievements, which were made possible as a result of his efforts, as well as the accumulation of savings over many years.

From earnings of his 10-acre farm, located in the fertile 'yam town' of Lowe River in southern Trelawny, Williams has been able to send his five children to high school, own five motor vehicles and build and extensively refurbish his large house.

easily attracted

Born in the community of Lowe River, Williams was easily attracted to yam farming, as that was the livelihood of the majority of young people.

"During my early years, I was thinking of no other profession than to be a yam farmer. While living with my grandmother, I would often go to the nearby yam fields and watch the men at work. Sometimes, I would sneak away from school to gather up yam heads from my friends to start my own little plot."

Taking time off from school to attend to his little farm came with a price. "My grandmother was very upset with me. Many times, she would beat me whenever she found out that I was not in school. This, however, did not change how I felt about being a yam farmer. I took my beatings and punishment, but continued to spend more and more time in my little plot, because I really loved what I was doing," Williams told the JIS.

He speaks glowingly of the level of inspiration and guidance he got from his grandfather, Renarto Williams, and grandmother, Riverta, who, even though in full agreement that he should attend school and not farm until he was an adult, would save many yam heads for him whenever they reaped the crop.

"My grandfather and grandmother used to be big yam farmers and they would always give me yam heads, because they knew how interested I was."

tough and challenging

Williams recounted the days when working in the fields became very tough and challenging, as most of the work had to be done manually. Williams has reaped much success in farming, but has also experienced loss.

This accomplished yam farmer has also reached out to the struggling farmers and the youth in his community.

"I have also made regular contributions to schools and churches and even to functions being held in the community, because God has blessed me and my family. And I give back to my community, so the youth, older ones and the less fortunate can benefit," he says.

The veteran farmer has no regrets about his chosen occupation, and has been encouraging the young people and able-bodied men of the community to get involved in farming.

Williams argues that if more people buy into the idea that Jamaicans must begin to eat what they grow and grow more of what they eat, then the country could rise to the heights of strength and prosperity.

The farmer, whose children include a nurse, a businesswoman and a policewoman, says that if he had the chance to do it all over again, he would definitely be a yam farmer.

- JIS