CLARENDON
IN LIGHT of the challenges facing the agricultural industry, a more effective management strategy, combined with the diversification of the industry through the integration of science and technology, is necessary to revive the industry says Dr. Henry Lowe, president and chief executive of Blue Cross of Jamaica.
"It is clear that the sector needs both short term assistance and longer term strategy to help us move beyond what may seem as crisis management," Dr. Lowe said.
He noted that it is important for those involved in the industry to make adjustments in order to adapt to the competitive globalised economy.
"This approach includes building on the advancement in science and technology, niche marketing and the development of new products and services to guide the future development and expansion of the agriculture and agri-food sector," Dr. Lowe explained.
He cited three such areas in which the agriculture industry could be diversified namely : neutraceuticals and functional foods the production of herbal and medicinal plants and via technology.
With the growth in the nuetracuetical and functional food industry which is estimated at $US100 billion worldwide, there is immense potential for the production of plants to supply this market. Plants that are already grown in Jamaica include: ginger, tumeric, black pepper, sugar cane and pimento. According to Dr. Lowe the estimated value of the herbal medicine market is worth in excess of US$78 billion dollars.
He believes this "could be of significant economic benefit to the country (as) cultivation of such plants present many opportunities for the entrepreneur farmer who is sure to find ready market in North America and Europe."
Via technology if introduced into the agricultural industry "offers potential solutions for many problems affecting crops and livestock production in developing countries such as Jamaica," Dr. Lowe lamented. Some of these benefits include: a reduction in the need for chemical pesticides; substitution of export products such as food additives, flavours and vegetable oils with products of similar properties through genetic modification; a reduction in production cost to farmers; improved harvesting; improved storage; new trend preservation and improved plant and animal production.
However, Dr. Lowe pointed out that in order for these initiatives to become a reality "a multi-sectorial approach in niche marketing and strategic alliances and collaboration among food ingredient specialists, farmers, food manufacturers and processors, academic researchers, the Government, private sector and investors" is necessary.
