THE EDITOR, Sir:
I NOTE that Hugh Martin is back and seems to be amazed at the low production of the 2004/2005 sugar crop. But why is he amazed? Cane production has been falling from 1965. There are a few years from time to time when it seems to stablise, but then it continues falling.
Mr. Martin is in the camp that continues to behave like the ostrich, head buried deep in the sand. He, with others, refuse to accept the fact that sugar cane in Jamaica (as well as most other crops) is suffering from serious disease problems. Perhaps he should take a trip to, say, India or Thailand, where root rot and wilt of sugar cane, caused by soil-based pathogens, are endemic in many areas.
He can continue to fool himself that the problem will be cured by "more timely inputs" or "more replanting" and other such bandied-about prescriptions, or he can wake up to the reality of the situation and realise that what is needed are techniques such as soil sterilisation, green manures and rotation (with other crops, not varieties) together with serious research into diseases.
Those who choose to ignore facts and science will simply go the way of the dinosaur. Anytime Mr. Martin is ready to take a serious examination, I will meet him in the field.
I am, etc.,
MARK BROOKS
richfarm@cwjamaica.com
St. Elizabeth
Via Go-Jamaica
