We need an alternative to sugar cane
published: Tuesday | August 10, 2004

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WOULD like to know which of our learned intellectuals came up with this grand idea of a peaceful protest against EU consulates resident in Jamaica. It is simply asinine and will be ineffective.

We have sunk to a new low by this action and are now suffering because of our previous inaction. We have known for years that the EU could not continue to offer up these glorious prices to us indefinitely and we did nothing. What we should have done is to find an alternative to cane sugar production. Even if we cannot produce beet or maple, as our North American neighbours, then look to an entirely different crop.

I have not seen where any serious attempts have been made to seek an alternative to sugar cane production as the mainstay in our agricultural sector. This country sat on a dying product and is now begging for help. Worse yet is that instead of begging humbly like the prodigal son we are doing it like our streetboys who insist, "that you let off a smalls". Shameful. I feel as if we did not learn from the banana issue and that is a huge ignominy.

I am, etc.,

RYAN F. KIRLEW

16 Gore Terrace

Kingston