THE AGRICULTURAL sector in Jamaica continues to suffer from the adverse effects of the recent hurricanes which have caused more than a 20 per cent decline in domestic crop production for the second quarter of the year.
Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), said domestic crop production has declined from 106, 667 tonnes for the second quarter of 2004 to 84,987 tonnes over the comparable period in 2005. He also said that the amount of crops reaped declined by just over 17 per cent for the second quarter of the year. This, he explained, is "due mainly to the destruction of plants and planting materials from Hurricane Ivan."
Senator Grant added that "bush fires, Hurricanes Emily and Dennis and the effects of showers from the emerging Hurricane Wilma also adversely affected the fields of farmers".
TREE PLANTING PROJECT
The JAS president, who was speaking at the 50th anniversary luncheon of the Jamaica Horticultural Society last Thursday, said the farmers' association would be placing more emphasis on environmental protection. He said the JAS was currently in discussion with the Forestry Department to introduce a tree planting project. "The project will seek to embrace the philosophy of continually planting trees as an economic and environmental venture. The project would ensure also that as each mature tree is cut down, two to three trees should be planted in the replacement of that one tree," Senator Grant said. He said members of each branch society would be encouraged to invest in growing more flowering plants and shrubs as a hobby and economic venture.
DIFFERENT KINDS OF PLANTS
Jamaica is native to more than 3,000 different kinds of flowering plants. Of this amount, 1,000 is endemic to the island.
"If we seek to highlight the need for environmental health and find a means of preventing those factors in the environment that can affect the health of present and future generations then we will be on the path towards sustainable development," Senator Grant emphasised.
