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Kendal Yam Farms

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Agriculture
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Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)

Weather…

The Kendal Yam Farms are located in the uplands of the parish of Manchester, serving as the heart of Jamaica's yam production. Situated at an elevation of over 2,000 feet (600 meters), the region's cooler temperatures and fertile red soils provide optimal conditions for cultivating various yam varieties, including Yellow Yam, Negro Yam, and Lucea Yam. Yam is a staple food in Jamaica and has become a symbol of national identity and physical stamina, famously associated with the island's world-class sprinters. The farms in Kendal are often small-scale operations that collectively form a powerful economic hub, with significant exports to the United States and the United Kingdom. Cultivation requires specialized traditional knowledge, particularly in the use of poles to support the climbing vines. Kendal is also historically significant, but its agricultural productivity has made it synonymous with high-quality produce. Annual harvests contribute greatly to the island's food security and establish Manchester as one of Jamaica's most productive agricultural regions.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan–Mar.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C252626272827282828272626
Rain mm432336511279169951281629249

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
The Kendal Yam Farms in Jamaica are located on the fertile slopes of Manchester and form the center of Jamaican yam production. They are a key part of local agriculture and food supply.
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Visiting
The fields are mostly privately owned, but the terraced cultivation areas are well visible from side roads. Some farms can be visited on request, especially during harvest season.
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Where to view it
The road along the hill ridge north of Kendal provides an excellent view of the green yam fields. From the lookout point near the Kendal primary school, there is a wide overview.
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Local products
In the Kendal region, mainly yams (various types such as yellow yam and soft yam) are grown. Local markets in Mandeville also offer cooking bananas, breadfruit, and seasonal tropical fruits.
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Active season
Yam harvest takes place mainly between September and January when the tubers are fully mature. These months see the fields at their busiest, with harvesters at work.
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Nearby
The town of Mandeville with its markets and colonial architecture is a worthwhile destination. The nearby Cockpit Country limestone hills offer hiking and remarkable views.

Geography

Coordinates
18.06540, -77.49120

Facts

  • Kendal is located in the Manchester highlands at over 2,000 feet elevation.
  • Yellow Yam is the primary variety grown for both domestic and export markets.
  • The region is characterized by fertile red limestone soil known as Terra Rossa.
  • Jamaica is a world leader in the export of high-quality Yellow Yam.
  • Cultivation involves using long poles to support the heavy climbing vines.
  • Yams are a major source of complex carbohydrates in the Jamaican diet.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

May Day MountainsMay Day Mountains1 km · SExplore →
Devon Potato FarmsDevon Potato Farms3 km · SEExplore →
Lumber MillLumber Mill3 km · EExplore →
RoxboroughRoxborough5 km · SExplore →
Alligator Hole RiverAlligator Hole River6 km · SWExplore →
Alpart Alumina RefineryAlpart Alumina Refinery7 km · SExplore →
Canoe Valley WetlandsCanoe Valley Wetlands7 km · NWExplore →
Appleton Estate DistilleryAppleton Estate Distillery8 km · NEExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights in the town Kendal Yam Farms (3)

Williamsfield, Jamaica📍 landmark

Williamsfield is a locality in Jamaica, surrounded by agricultural land.

Kirkvine Airstrip📍 landmark

Kirkvine Airstrip is a small landing strip in Jamaica, used for local aviation.

Kendal, Jamaica📍 landmark

Kendal is a settlement in Jamaica, known for yam farming.

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

Why is Kendal known for yam?
Kendal is in a cooler highland region that provides excellent conditions for growing high-quality yams.
What is a yam festival?
A local festival where the harvest is celebrated and various yam dishes can be tasted.
Can visitors buy yam directly from the farms?
Yes, roadside stalls around Kendal often sell fresh produce directly from the fields.
How is yam eaten in Jamaica?
Mostly boiled as part of a 'Hard Food' breakfast or as a side dish for jerk meals.
When is the best time to visit Kendal?
During the harvest season in late spring and summer, Kendal is particularly lively.
Kendal Yam Farms: where is it located?
Kendal Yam Farms is located in Jamaica.
Kendal Yam Farms: what is there to see?
Highlights include Williamsfield, Jamaica, Kirkvine Airstrip, Kendal, Jamaica.
Kendal Yam Farms: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Mar.
Kendal Yam Farms: why is it worth visiting?
The Kendal Yam Farms are located in the uplands of the parish of Manchester, serving as the heart of Jamaica's yam production.
View on map → The Top 50 Attractions → OpenStreetMap →
North America
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Nearby cities

Runaway Bay — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Runaway Bay
A scenic coastal resort area known for its beautiful coral reefs and historical Green Grotto Caves.

History & landmarks

Mandeville Courthouse — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Mandeville Courthouse
A classic Caribbean colonial-style building that overlooks the town square of Mandeville.
Roxborough — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Roxborough
The estate in Manchester known as the birthplace of Jamaican national hero Norman Washington Manley.
Lover's Leap Lighthouse — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Lover's Leap Lighthouse
A modern lighthouse located on a steep cliff in St.
🗺️
Appleton Estate
One of the oldest rum distilleries in the Caribbean, located in the Nassau Valley in St.

Nature

Alligator Hole River — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Alligator Hole River
A river in Manchester known for its manatee population.
Alligator Pond River — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Alligator Pond River
A river that empties into the fishing village of Alligator Pond on the border of Manchester and St.
Milk River — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Milk River
A river known for its radioactive mineral bath.
Glistening Waters — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Glistening Waters
A lagoon near Falmouth that glows at night due to bioluminescence.
Martha Brae River — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Martha Brae River
A tranquil river popular for bamboo rafting trips.
Rio Minho River — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Rio Minho River
The longest river in Jamaica, flowing through Clarendon.

More places

Devon Potato Farms — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Devon Potato Farms
The cool temperatures in the mountains of Manchester allow for the commercial cultivation of potatoes.
Alpart Alumina Refinery — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Alpart Alumina Refinery
Large industrial facility for processing bauxite into alumina.
Canoe Valley Wetlands — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Canoe Valley Wetlands
A protected wetland area in Clarendon and Manchester.
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Port Esquivel
A specialized industrial port on the south coast primarily used for the export of alumina and import of fuel.
May Day Mountains — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
May Day Mountains
An interior mountain range in Manchester parish, known for its cool climate and bauxite-rich soil.
Lumber Mill — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Lumber Mill
Wood processing facilities that transform local and imported timber into materials for construction and furniture manufacturing.
Appleton Estate Distillery — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Appleton Estate Distillery
World-famous production sites where Jamaican sugarcane is transformed into premium aged spirits for global markets.
Bio-Fuel Plant — Kendal Yam Farms (Jamaica)
Bio-Fuel Plant
Sustainable energy plants that convert agricultural waste and organic matter into environmentally friendly biofuels.