JAMAICANS BELIEVE that more jobs could be created if the Government of Jamaica focuses more on the agriculture sector and builds more factories.
This, according to a poll conducted by pollster Don Anderson and his team of researchers from Market Research Services Ltd. on behalf of The Gleaner.
Of the persons interviewed, 79 per cent felt that more focus on agriculture could serve to create more jobs in rural areas. This comes against the background of the many challenges that the traditional agriculture crops like sugar and bananas are facing internationally.
And 57 per cent of all persons interviewed felt that the Government should deliberately set out on a path to build more factories. They felt this was a good way to provide jobs for the young in particular. There was no suggestion as to the types of factories that should be built. The respondents, however, agreed that improvements to the manufacturing sector with the aim of increasing productivity would be a good way to create more jobs.
Another 12 per cent of respondents felt that the Government should seek to build training centres for young persons. They felt that these centres should target graduates of secondary and tertiary institutions.
The sample of respondents was a nationally representative one of 1,000 persons 18 years and over from across the island's 14 parishes. The interviews were conducted between October 18 and November 8. The margin of error was plus or minus 3.2 per cent.
