Farming System in Guadeloupe Guadeloupe’s farming system is a mix of traditional methods , modern techniques , and sustainable practices —shaped by its tropical climate, mountainous terrain, and colonial legacy. Agriculture remains a vital sector, supporting food security, export trade, and rural livelihoods.
1. Farming Structure
Smallholder Dominance
About 80% of farms are small-scale , family-run plots (under 5 hectares).
Larger estates exist for commercial crops like bananas and sugarcane .
Farm Types
Type Description Subsistence Farms Focus on local consumption (yams, cassava, poultry). Commercial Farms Grow export crops (bananas, sugarcane, pineapples). Mixed Farms Combine crops and livestock (goats, cattle, chickens).
2. Major Crops
Crop Use Note Bananas Export & local Main export crop; grown in humid lowlands. Sugarcane Rum production Historically dominant; now partly diversified. Vegetables Local markets Tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, eggplants. Root crops Food security Yams, sweet potatoes, taro. Fruits Local + export Mangoes, pineapples, guavas, avocados. Spices & Herbs Culinary, cosmetic Vanilla, turmeric, lemongrass, bay leaves.
3. Livestock Farming
Poultry (chickens, ducks) and goats are most common.Cattle raised in more rural, hilly areas (mainly for dairy and beef).Some pig farming in traditional communities.
Animal feed is partially imported due to local production limits.
4. Techniques & Practices
Traditional Techniques:
Slash-and-burn (less common now due to deforestation concerns).Intercropping (cassava and maize, for example).Terracing in mountainous areas like Basse-Terre.
Modern & Sustainable Techniques:
Greenhouses for high-yield vegetables and herbs.Agroforestry : combining trees with crops for soil preservation.Organic farming : rising in popularity with EU support.Hydroponics and permaculture : slowly developing among young farmers.
5. Government Support & Challenges
Support Programs:
EU and French subsidies (PAC – Common Agricultural Policy).
Agricultural insurance schemes for storm/flood losses.
Programs for organic certification and export facilitation .
Challenges:
Hurricanes and floods damaging crops.Aging farmer population (youth less involved).Import dependency : over 70% of food still imported.Pesticide pollution (historical use of chlordecone in banana fields).Land access issues : many smallholders have informal or unclear land tenure.
6. Key Regions by Farming Type
Region Primary Farming Focus Basse-Terre Bananas, cocoa, coffee (mountainous and fertile) Grande-Terre Sugarcane, cattle, vegetables Marie-Galante Cattle, sugarcane, molasses La Désirade & Les Saintes Goats, small vegetable plots, fishing integration
Summary
System Type : Smallholder-dominated, mixed cropping and livestock.Main Crops : Bananas, sugarcane, root crops, tropical fruits.Modern Trends : Agroforestry, organic farming, EU support.Major Constraints : Climate vulnerability, pollution legacy, food import reliance.
