GrantDOMESTIC CROP production for the third quarter of last year grew by 23.1 per cent, when compared with the similar quarter for 2002.
This was stated by Senator Norman Grant, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), at the St. Ann Rural Agricultural Develop-ment Authority (RADA) annual banquet and awards ceremony in Ocho Rios, recently.
Senator Grant said that overall, production increased by 21,406 tonnes, moving from 92,487 tonnes in 2002, to 113,893 tonnes in 2003.
The increase, he said, represented a recovery from the impact of the May/June 2002 flood rains, which caused production to fall 16.8 per cent during that quarter.
"Therefore, it should be noted that the increase in production was due mainly to the rehabilitation efforts and other initiatives under various projects, along with favourable weather conditions experienced prior to and throughout the quarter. This has resulted in marked increases in the production and yield of most crops," he said.
The JAS has embarked on some programmes, "to help reposition the agricultural sector," said the Senator. Included is the 'Eat Jamaican' campaign, launched on November 25 by Governor-General Sir Howard Cooke.
Reiterating the campaign's theme - 'Farming our heritage, food, our culture from land to mouth; we are what we eat, so let's eat Jamaican' - Senator Grant said: "This is a proud moment for the JAS, as we pause to recognise the importance of farmers to the nation's development."
FACTORS THAT MITIGATED AGAINST PRODUCTION
Poor germination of some vegetable seeds
Badly damaged farm roads, which restricted farming activities
High cost of inputs, such as fertiliser, fungicides and pesticides
Continued presence of pests and diseases.
