Dear Editor,
According to preliminary reports, the passage of Hurricane Sandy over the island last month has resulted in $1.5 billion worth of damage to the agricultural sector. This will negatively affect the government's efforts to reduce the country's food import bill - now roughly US$930 million - by 30 per cent over the next three years.
Approximately 31,000 farmers and 3,000 hectares of crops across the island have been affected by the hurricane, which damaged the banana, plantain and cocoa industries, coffee, livestock and vegetables.
It is no secret that the country's agricultural sector has not been performing at its optimum, and has grown only marginally in recent years.
Both the governing People's National Party and the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, in their 2011 election manifestos, have underscored the need to increase productivity. The JLP argued then that it would increase productivity through the use of technology, improved farming practices and would provide access to markets.
The party also said in its manifesto that it would provide training and technical support for farmers to master the application of new techniques, promote greater use of bio-technology through the National Research and Development Centre and improve the quality and marketability of farm produce.
And for its part, the PNP promised to place greater focus on increased food security, noting that agriculture will remain one of the main planks of the Jamaican economy.
The PNP, who was then in Opposition, also said if it formed the next government, it would focus on the development of starch derived from roots and tubers to support the carbohydrate requirement of the nation. This would involve a significant increase in the production of potatoes, yam, cassava and bananas through incentive programmes.
The party's manifesto also outlined a raft of other programmes - which it said it would undertake if elected - aimed at increasing agricultural output.
But what has the PNP administration achieved as far as agriculture is concerned since it formed the government nearly a year ago?
Not much, many would say.
Quite frankly, the country is yet to see idle hands being put to work on the vast number of acres of arable idle lands.
Obviously, the agricultural sector needs new leadership.
I must admit that Roger Clarke, the current agriculture and fisheries minister, is a very affable person; very jovial and amusing to be around, but agriculture needs more than what he can offer at this time.
I firmly believe that it's about time agriculture be placed on the front burner. The country deserves no less.
Rose Samuels
samuels.rose@ymail.com
Place agriculture on the front burner
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According to preliminary reports, the passage of Hurricane Sandy over the island last month has resulted in $1.5 billion worth of damage to the agricultural sector. This will negatively affect the government's efforts to reduce the country's food import bill - now roughly US$930 million - by 30 per cent over the next three years.
Approximately 31,000 farmers and 3,000 hectares of crops across the island have been affected by the hurricane, which damaged the banana, plantain and cocoa industries, coffee, livestock and vegetables.
It is no secret that the country's agricultural sector has not been performing at its optimum, and has grown only marginally in recent years.
Both the governing People's National Party and the Opposition Jamaica Labour Party, in their 2011 election manifestos, have underscored the need to increase productivity. The JLP argued then that it would increase productivity through the use of technology, improved farming practices and would provide access to markets.
The party also said in its manifesto that it would provide training and technical support for farmers to master the application of new techniques, promote greater use of bio-technology through the National Research and Development Centre and improve the quality and marketability of farm produce.
And for its part, the PNP promised to place greater focus on increased food security, noting that agriculture will remain one of the main planks of the Jamaican economy.
The PNP, who was then in Opposition, also said if it formed the next government, it would focus on the development of starch derived from roots and tubers to support the carbohydrate requirement of the nation. This would involve a significant increase in the production of potatoes, yam, cassava and bananas through incentive programmes.
The party's manifesto also outlined a raft of other programmes - which it said it would undertake if elected - aimed at increasing agricultural output.
But what has the PNP administration achieved as far as agriculture is concerned since it formed the government nearly a year ago?
Not much, many would say.
Quite frankly, the country is yet to see idle hands being put to work on the vast number of acres of arable idle lands.
Obviously, the agricultural sector needs new leadership.
I must admit that Roger Clarke, the current agriculture and fisheries minister, is a very affable person; very jovial and amusing to be around, but agriculture needs more than what he can offer at this time.
I firmly believe that it's about time agriculture be placed on the front burner. The country deserves no less.
Rose Samuels
samuels.rose@ymail.com
Place agriculture on the front burner
-->