Robert Reid, agribusiness specialist at the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA), is urging local farmers to make better use of greenhouse technology.

However, he has cautioned that in order for greenhouse technology to be successful in rebuilding Jamaica's agricultural sector, all necessary information must be pooled to promote synergy among stakeholders.

"We can't go into 2008 without an action plan," said Mr. Reid as he addressed participants at a special planning and training workshop held at the Golf View Hotel in Mandeville, Manchester, recently.

The IICA-funded workshop was also organised in conjunction with the Jamaica Greenhouse Growers Association (JGGA).

Discussions and disclosures from members of the JGGA, farmers, technocrats and bankers present suggest that there is much more that needs to be understood if the technology is to gain traction among potential investors and the vast number of farmers who practise traditional farming method.

Higher yields

Mr. Reid informed the gathering - with the aid of a power point presentation - of findings which showed greenhouses boasting higher yields of up to 200 to 300 per cent more than regular outfield farming.

He said, for example, that based on data gathered from 44 greenhouse farmers across nine parishes, each tomato plant had an average yield of 9.3 pounds.

Mr. Reid noted, however, that there was great need for information as to what was required both in capital, technology, operations and marketing.

Improve work practices

The agribusiness specialist said better work practices were also needed among practitioners within greenhouse technology.

A survey at the workshop revealed that only 39 per cent of the farmers had business plans.

Likewise, only 57 per cent kept detailed records, and only 55 per cent fully knew the cost of production.

The bankers at the workshop all agreed that these factors would mitigate against access to loans.