Food Security and Nutrition Policy coming

BY TANESHA MUNDLE Observer staff reporter mundlet@jamaicaobserver.com

Friday, June 18, 2010

GOVERNMENT is developing a Food Security and Nutrition Policy that will address the nutritional requirements of Jamaicans as well as trade arrangements as they relate to the importation and exportation of foods.

Making the disclosure at the launch of the 58th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show Wednesday on the lawns of Hi-Pro Ace Farm Super Centre in White Marl, St Catherine, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Dr Christopher Tufton said the policy should be completed by next March.

"That policy is going to help us to define what really is food security, as it is not just about getting an abundance of food, it is about getting the nutritional requirement that is required to enhance and sustained an healthy society", Tufton said.

"We have to look at products that we can grow and what we can't grow. We have to ensure that we have enough to trade in order to support what we can't grow. Food security does not mean a lack of trade and nutrition is fundamental to food security," Tufton later told the Observer.

Earlier in his main address, the agriculture minister said there was a misconception that Government was moving to put a ban on the importation of foods, which many believe, could be substituted by home-grown produce.

He said although the country's food import bill had decreased significantly, "we could be misleading ourselves if we continue to speak to the import food bill as if it is possible to replace the food bill."

In fact, he told the gathering that recent data had shown that only 40 per cent of the imported foods, which included carrots, tomatoes, Irish potatoes and onions, could be replaced.

Meanwhile, Opposition spokesman on agriculture, Roger Clarke lauded the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), the agriculture ministry and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for the organisation of the Denbigh show, which will be held from July 31 to August 2 at the Denbigh show ground in Clarendon.

He implored Jamaicans to continue to support the country's local produce and urged Tufton to look at ensuring that Jamaican farmers not only produce enough to feed the local population, but produce enough to sell overseas in order to purchase foods that are not grown locally.

For his part, JAS president Glendon Harris said this year's event will be "a truly authentic agricultural and industrial show, as we make deliberate attempt to represent every aspect of the sectors, promote the commodity boards and the linkages with health education and the financial institutions."

This year's show will feature new activities, including a gospel concert, a health and wellness fair, and a Jamaica School of Agriculture 'Ole framers' booth.

The RADA will also have a booth to display its programmes as a part of its 20th anniversary celebrations.

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Food Security and Nutrition Policy coming