The Editor, Sir:

I congratulate Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton on his maiden contribution to the Budget Debate Wednesday.

His ideas are excellent. However, I disagree with any plan to introduce cassava as a staple of the diet of our people.

A diet high in cassava has proven to be hazardous to the health of many poor and elderly people across East and Central Africa, and Nigeria.

Educate people first

We would have to educate our people first as to the allowable amounts for ingestion. We can also rule out cassava flour.

Rice, flour, cornmeal and sugar are the main staples of our people. The number of people that one pound of rice, flour or cornmeal can feed cannot compare to the more expensive one pound of ground provision which can only feed one person. Jamaicans want their rice 'n' peas.

If we start planting rice as soon as possible, we should be reaping before the end of the year. I understand that April is the best month to plant rice.

We can continue to plant our corn, but on a commercial level, so that we can provide cornmeal for our people. Maybe we could look to banana or plantain flour.

I am, etc.,

VERNA GORDON BINNS

theashton@cwjamaica.com

Luana, St Elizabeth

Via Go-Jamaica