By Rayon Dyer, Gleaner WriterBLACK RIVER, St Elizabeth:
OPPOSITION SPOKESMAN on Agriculture, J.C. Hutchinson, has charged that agricultural production has declined significantly in the last six years.
He says the Government had done very little to stimulate growth in the sector.
Speaking with The Gleaner recently, Mr. Hutchinson said the domestic food crop programme, which was launched some four years ago, had not met its objective of stimulating growth in the sector. "This programme has been a total failure, all crops under the programme that was targeted to spur growth in production have declined since 1996."
PRODUCTION DECREASES
"In 1996, 42,150 tonnes of pumpkin was produced, this fell to 36,313 tonnes in 2001 and 30,947 tonnes in 2002. Peas in 1996 stood at 11,500 tonnes, falling to 8,354 tonnes in 2001 and 7,445 tonnes in 2002," said Mr. Hutchinson.
He continued that "Carrot was 26,026 tonnes in 1996, 20,200 tonnes in 2001 and 18,964 tonnes in 2002. Peppers were 16,433 tonnes in 1996, 13,317 tonnes in 2001 and 11,090 tonnes in 2002." He said sweet potato production was also down.
Mr. Hutchinson noted that despite floods, hurricanes, drought and praedial larceny, there had been steady growth in the agricultural sector up to 1996. He charged that the government seemed incapable of putting back this vital sector on a path of growth.
The Member of Parliament for St. Elizabeth North West said Government should move to reduce the cost of inputs, lower interest rates, put in place a more effective extension service and more financing opportunities.
Huttchinson said "Farmers are worse off today than they were in 1996. Many have to cut back their production, some have come out of production altogether, while others are doing it on a part-time basis."
