Adrian Frater, News Editor
Houses in a section of Old Braeton, Portmore, an example of the increasing number of developments on the St. Catherine plains. - FILE
WESTERN BUREAU:
AMID THE various government initiatives being promulgated to restore vibrancy in the local agricultural sector, one of the areas of serious concern remains the vast acreage of flat arable lands being used for housing development.
While he does not believe the trend is as grave as other sector players, Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke shares the view that some of the flat arable lands, especially in the plains of St. Catherine, would have been better suited for agriculture and should not have been utilised for housing.
"I share the view that no house development should have taken place in some of these areas," said Minister Clarke, in an interview with The Gleaner. "There is no question that some of these land would have been better suited for agriculture."
But Minister Clarke pointed out that there were vast acreage of farmlands that were not being utilised.
Although there are currently no specific figures on the exact acreage of arable lands converted into housing stock over the years, statistics released by the Ministry's Provisional Farmers Register show that in the four years between 1978 and 1982, the amount of agricultural lands reduced from the 537,453 hectares to 369,138 hectares.
WE NEED TO STOP
However, president of the western branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris, thinks the practice is widespread and wants an end to arable lands going into housing development.
"I think it is substantial," said Mr. Harris. "Just look at the Bogue Lands here in Montego Bay. It has the right soil type; it is ideal for mechanisation because it is flat and is close to a substantial source of water in the Barnett River."
In addition to the Bogue Lands, Mr. Harris also identified arable lands in areas such as the Queen of Spain Valley in Trelawny; parcels of lands in Montpelier, Hanover; and a section of Priory in St. Ann, as areas where suitable farmlands were being used for real estate development.
THE CAUSE
He attributes the urbanisation of farmlands to pressure from the growing expansion of urban centres, where there is a constant demand for suitable housing for its workforce.
"In the St. Catherine area, near Spanish Town, there is an ever-growing demand for housing," noted Minister Clarke. "However, if we are to be serious about proper land use in Jamaica, we will just have to draw the line somewhere."
In outlining Government plans to counter the other problems related to local land use, Minister Clarke said Government was developing a comprehensive land use policy as part of its overall policy to adjust to increased urbanisation and the decline in agricultural production.
"There is no doubt that a new model of rural development is necessary," said Minister Clarke, in his recent contribution to the 2006 Budget Debate. "The new model has to be one of integrated rural-urban development, based on a comprehensive land-use policy and national development plan."
LAND-USE POLICY
According to the Agriculture and Lands Minister, the new land-use policy, which will include the development of a land-use map, will outline the areas to be used for housing development and the areas to be reserved for agricultural purposes.
"Once the land use map is complete, the areas earmarked for agriculture can no longer be developed for housing," noted Minister Clarke, in a finite tone. "This has got to be the way of the future."
In a clear endorsement of the proposed land policy, Mr. Harris said all well-thinking farmers would applaud the new policy as it is a step in the right direction and stands to be a major component in the revitalisation of agriculture.
"If farmers are to properly utilise the new technologies that are now available, they must have access to lands where mechanised farming is possible and where irrigation is least cumbersome," noted Mr. Harris. "With this new policy, farmers should now have access to the flat arable lands, which everyone knows is best suited for agriculture."
