Claude Wilson, Gleaner Writer

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller (right) admires an attractive display of fruits and vegetables at the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show on August 7. With her are, from left: Victor Cummings, State Minister for Agriculture and Lands, Deidre Hudson, the 2006 National Farm Queen, Roger Clarke, Minister of Agriculture and Lands and Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. - Nathaniel Stewart/Freelance Photographer

The largest single event to grace the Caribbean, the ICC Cricket World Cup (CWC), is less than six months away. Among the products that will be in great demand is local agricultural produce. But how prepared is the local agricultural sector to feed an estimated 12,000 cricket enthusiasts expected in the island from March-May 2007?

There are fears that the local agriculture sector is ill-prepared to cope with the increased demand, and as a result, the bulk of the food will come via the container terminal at the Kingston ports.

Olive Downer Walsh, marketing manager at Agro Grace, is doubtful that enough is apace to galvanise local farmers into producing food specifically for the games.

"There is a lot of talk generally about organising Jamaica's agriculture, especially as it relates to the vegetable sector. However, specifically looking at the opportunities for Cricket World Cup, I do not think much forward planning has taken place and if so we are not aware of it and I think this is unfortunate," she said.

Pauline Nelson, communications manager for the Jamaica Cricket World Cup (CWC) secretariat, told The Gleaner that the executive director, Robert Bryan, made an extensive presentation to the executive of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and parish managers of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in October last year, urging them to start making plans for the hundreds of visitors who will be in Jamaica to watch cricket.

Food production

She said the issue of food production for the CWC was again discussed at the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show in May Pen, Clarendon, in August.

"It was a concerted effort on (Jamaica CWC) part from last year to meet with the key stakeholders to get them to understand the importance of the event coming to the Caribbean, not just Jamaica, and the higher demand on their areas," Mrs. Nelson explained. "We asked them what will be the food stock of the country at that time and what plans are being put in place," she continued.

Specifically, Mrs. Nelson said, "We urged and encouraged them to start putting their crops in place so that it can come in time for the event." More importantly, she noted that there would be increased demand for vegetables since most of the visitors for the event are expected to be Indians and Pakistanis who are mainly vegetable eaters.

Great confidence

JAS president, Senator Norman Grant, was confident that farm production would surge to coincide with the hosting of the games. "I have great, great confidence that the farmers are preparing to capitalise on this opportunity," the JAS president assured.

The latest report on the agricultural sector by the Planning Institute of Jamaica (PIOJ) showed that agricultural production had increased just over 24 per cent in the second quarter of this year. A breakdown of the figures presented in the report indicated that production had increased in almost all areas of agriculture. It singled out the livestock sub-sector as the only area which recorded a decline.

Senator Grant said food production for the Cricket World Cup was a priority for the JAS and in the upcoming months a special committee will be established to sensitise and engage farmers in producing for specific outlets, such as supermarkets, shops and the hospitality trade for the World Cup.

And with the use of high production technologies such as greenhouse and hydroponics more widespread, Senator Grant said it would further quarantee that there would be enough food of the desired quality and consistency available. "The JAS is upbeat about the opportunities that exist as a result of the World Cup coming up in 2007," he said.

Former RADA parish manager and project development officer at Agro Grace, Cyril Chambers, believed even without any forward planning there will be enough produce to satisfy the demand.

According to Mr. Chambers "the first quarter of each year, for the last 10 years, have had surplus production and next year will be no different." He cautioned however, that there could be a shortage of certain exotic crops like cantaloupes and honeydew melons for the hotel chains. He is predicting that Irish potatoes, a staple in the plate of most tourists, should be in good supply. "We at Agro Grace have been out there sensitising the farmers and we are anticipating a better crop than last year."

Livestock sector

But while there is time left to increase crop production, it might be too late for the livestock sector. "It would certainly be late for the beef and dairy sector to make any significant (production) change between now and then because those are long term," said Lansford Gardener, a field officer at the Jamaica Livestock Association (JLA). Turning to the pig industry, he noted that "unless the pigs are there already it will be a little late for the pig farmers." Last year pork production reached an industry high of over seven million kilograms. But stakeholders still believe the demand could very well outweigh that amount.

Dr. Henry Rainford, chief executive officer of the JLA, explained that not much preparation was being made for the CWC because it would not be financially beneficial for the livestock industry in general to increase production specifically for this period.

But Mr. Gardener believed that the poultry industry could benefit during this period.