The Editor, Sir:

It is an indictment on the Ministry of Agriculture and the island's premier agricultural institutions - the Jamaica Agricultural Society, the Rural Agriculture Development Authority and College of Agriculture, Science and Education - that for decades, the island's agricultural infrastructure continues to capitulate under the stresses of heavy rainfalls and other natural disasters.

If modern engineering technologies can allow man to create islands and transport systems out into the sea, then why can't we develop the farming system and technology that can at least reduce the devastating impact of natural disasters on our farming systems and infrastructure. Surely, there must be some basic control measures, such as wind breakers, drainage systems and greenhouse technology, that can be integrated to reduce the impact of natural disasters on our farm system.

Otherwise, we need to start examining the ways in which we can start to develop farm technology that is capable of adapting to the impact of natural disasters and other climate change.

I am, etc;

DONOVAN DAVY

davi_stp@yahoo.co.uk