Agriculture as an economic option
published: Saturday | December 3, 2005

THE EDITOR, Sir:

I WOULD like to join Hugh Martin in imploring the next leader of this country to seriously undertake the realisation of agriculture as an economic option. For the past few months, I have been in constant dialogue with farmers in the rural St. Andrew parts of the country and I have found, not surprisingly, that they are older persons. There are lands which, under the Manley government and the land lease programme, had been accessible to farmers for production.

However, this is not so anymore as roads are not maintained and therefore they are dilapidated. No one in his reasonable mind who says that he is interested in farming is encouraged, because unless one decides to grow a herb of a high value, there is the feeling that it would be uneconomical.

In most developed countries, agriculture is highly subsidised by the Government. If our country is to progress in this area, this government too, must, consider the way of subsidy. Getting produce from farms is equally important and roadways must be properly maintained. Though we may for now feel comfortable with importing, we must never become complacent and not produce our own.
The necessary research and field work must go into re-energising our agricultural sector. Organisations such as RADA need a strong dose of turpentine if they are to be effective tools of agricultural re-engineering.

I am, etc.,

MARK A. CLARKE

makeis@yahoo.com

Apt. 501b, Haven Court

10 Seaview Road

Stony Hill P.O., St. Andrew

Via Go-Jamaica