THE EDITOR, Sir:IT HAS recently come to my attention that a Central Marketing System for agricultural produce is set to be officially launched in a matter of weeks. This system, as intended, will help small farmers throughout the island to market their produce by creating links with various businesses through centralised locations.
It is upon this basis that I congratulate Mr. Glendon Harris, the vice president of the JAS, and the other individuals and government agencies associated with this project. This is truly a progressive move and one that will bring great benefits to our small farmers and the agricultural sector at large.
Centralised marketing, if done correctly, can lead to the development of services and practices which have been sadly lacking in the island's Agri sector. For one, the centralised sorting and handling can lead to the establishment and or reinforcement of standards or basic quality requirements for produce to reach market.
Secondly, it can serve as a more accurate indicator of the demand and supply of agricultural produce domestically. The list of potential benefits could go on and on. But such is the nature of progressive ideas. This is certainly one to carefully nurture and build on.
I am, etc.,
CHAD D. COWAN
ccowan@howard.edu
Washington D.C
Via Go-Jamaica
