For the past seven years, EARTH graduate and Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Tariq S. Kelly (Class of 2017, Jamaica) has served as Pineapple and Coconut Crop Manager at JP Tropical Foods, a 190-hectare farm in Jamaica. The company is a leading producer of bananas, pineapples, plantains, and coconuts. There, he leads a team of technical, supervisory, administrative, and field staff responsible for post-harvest management, quality control, and repairs and maintenance. During his tenure, he contributed in various fundamental ways to improving farm practices. He implemented crop field management software, processed control systems, and weather stations to support data-driven crop productivity monitoring. He also worked to improve the quality and technological capacity of agricultural practices on the farm.
Though he grew up as a city kid in the capital of Kingston, Tariq’s involvement in 4H, a youth development organization focused on building life skills in young people, led him to first learn about EARTH. At the time he was focused on studying IT, but once he began to learn about the University’s curriculum and focus, he realized the program really interested him. As he shares, “I researched the courses, and I liked what I saw. It felt meant for me.” After being selected to join the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, he began his studies at EARTH.
Tariq’s technical background is reflected in his work to modernize agriculture through technologies including irrigation sensors, precision agriculture, and modern practices in crop nutrition. “There is a need for more technical knowledge on the Islands. We have to keep innovating.”
For his efforts in leading and implementing this change, Tariq was one of the 13 individuals celebrated and honored in 2024 as part of the Ministry of Agriculture and Agriculturalist Newspaper Impact Awards. He was recognized for “having significantly shaped Jamaica’s agricultural landscape.”
Tariq received the Emerging and Innovative Farm Manager Award in recognition of his “creative and transformative contributions to modern farming practices and innovative agriculture.” The award was a significant recognition, with the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining formally thanking the honorees, saying: “Your perseverance and innovation are driving growth and sustainable development in agriculture, and your work inspires us to envision a thriving future for our food systems.”
Currently pursuing a master’s degree in business administration, Tariq dreams of one day establishing his own company to coach smallholder farmers. “I love finance and especially agricultural finance. Farmers often plan a new business without knowing much about the financial side. It’s so important for them to understand cash flow and how to manage their business. I see myself going into that part of the sector, teaching people how to plan and manage efficiently from the outset.”
Now an established leader in the agricultural sector in Jamaica, Tariq looks back at his time at EARTH with an appreciation for the University’s unique approach to learning and the depth and breadth of skills he acquired while obtaining his degree. “All of the courses have helped me in some way in my current path, whether technical, social, or environmental. EARTH gave me a strong base going out into the working world. The focus on learning-by-doing gave me hands-on experience. The community, social, and soft skills I learned are fundamental to what I’m doing now. EARTH is a special place in how they teach. It’s not just about passing exams. The professors are really invested in students learning the material.”
Congratulations to Tariq for his contribution to his community in Jamaica and for his leadership role in innovation. We wish him continued success and are confident he will have a profound impact wherever he goes.