In eastern Hanover, the principal crops are yam, banana, pimento, and coconuts. Askenish, Maryland, Jericho, Cascade and Medley are districts that cultivate yams on a large scale.

Hanover is famous for its yam. The varieties of yam produced are Lucea, (named after the capital town in the parish), Renta, Negro, Yellow and Sweet Yam. There are other varieties but these are produced on a smaller scale. Cocoa farming also takes place in eastern Hanover.

In western Hanover, sugar cane, yams, orchard crops and turmeric are cultivated. The curcumin content (the amount of colouring agent) of Jamaica’s turmeric is 5.4 percent, the second highest in the world. There are many small farming communities, which cultivate bananas, sugar cane, pimento, ginger and arrowroot.

Livestock

The parish makes a sizeable contribution to livestock and dairy farming in Jamaica. Eastern Hanover is the principal livestock rearing area. The town of Shettlewood is one of the better known cattle rearing areas. Other cattle farms can be found at Knockalva, Ramble, Saddler’s Hall, Burnt Ground, Edwards Dairy and Haughton Court.

Indigenous Flora and Fauna

It is said that Cascade has almost all the species of fern to be found in Jamaica. Orchids grow wild, as well as African violets, red and white ginger lilies and anthuriums – at almost 610m (2,000feet).

Agriculture

Over the years there has been a very significant increase in this field throughout the entire parish. The indirect benefit of this to tree crop production by way of fertilization and cross-pollination and the increase in the production of honey should by no means be underestimated.

The potential for establishing orchard crops in Hanover are enormous. Everything points to the success of such a venture as Hanover has:

• The soil that is not easily eroded and tend to maintain its level of fertility under very adverse conditions.
• The adequate rainfall that is second to the parish of Portland
• The farmers who are easily motivated
• The available land space
• The ready local markets especially in the hotel areas of Negril, Hopewell and Montego Bay, in addition to out of town markets.

• The foreign markets through local exports

Roads

While secondary roads in Hanover vary in quality, all grade A main roads are paved. A variety of vehicular traffic ranging from buses, trucks, mini-buses to private cars and taxis serve the parish that is also located eight miles from the Donald Sangsters International Airport.

Water

Hanover is served with water from large treatment plants, operated by the National Water Commission. Deep rural areas all have small systems that are treated before distribution.

Housing

Nearly half the households own the dwellings in which they live. The majority of the owner-occupied dwellings range from three to five bedrooms unit and those households that rent units tend to occupy two-bedroom units.
 

Constituency            Parish Council Division          Number of Polling Divisions            MP

 Hanover Eastern       Chester Castle                           25

Hopewell                                  28

Sandy  Bay                              29

Hanover Western       Lucea                                       27

Riverside                                  22

Cauldwell                                 23

Green Island                            24