Agri sector continues to grow despite drought, recession

BY LYNFORD SIMPSON Observer writer editorial@jamaicaobserver.com

Tuesday, April 13, 2010

THE local agriculture sector continues to record significant growth despite the global recession, which has resulted in more than 30,000 Jamaicans being thrown out of work since 2008.

According to the 2009 edition of the Economic and Social Survey Jamaica (ESSJ), the sector -- which includes forestry and fishing -- grew by a combined 12.1 per cent last year, adding a respectable 5.6 per cent to overall Gross Domestic product (GDP). This compares with the 4.8 per cent GDP contributed by the sector in 2008.

The growth in agriculture while other sectors recorded steep declines due to the recession, was based primarily on three factors, according to the highly regarded Planning Institute of Jamaica publication.

Of major significance is the fact that there were several thousand new entrants into the sector in part due to the downturn in other areas of the economy.

"Based on employment data from the Statistical Institute of Jamaica, on average there were 10,500 more persons employed in the industry during 2009 relative to 2008," the ESSJ said.

Additionally, the growth was driven by the Ministry of Agriculture's production and productivity programme aimed at improving best practice methodologies among groups of farmers engaged in the production of selected domestic crops.

And there were other Government programmes, which offered farmers increased support in the areas of marketing, irrigation and extension services.

A breakdown of the figures shows that gross output for the industry grew by 11.7 per cent. Other agricultural crops, the most heavily weighted sub-industry in the index grew by20 per cent and export crops by 12.3 per cent.

It was not all rosy for the sector, however, as animal farming, fishing and post-harvest activities declined by 1.7 per cent, 5.3 per cent and 10.1 per cent respectively.

Earnings from exports of traditional agricultural commodities amounted to US$39.1 million compared with US$31.8 million in 2008.

Of significance is that the growth in the sector last year, which has continued into this year according to Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, is taking place against the background of Hurricane Dean in 2007 and Tropical Storm Gustav in 2008.

Both weather systems caused significant damage to the industry. Current growth is taking place against the background of a devastating months-long drought which is creating havoc across the entire country, forcing the state-run utility, the National Water Commission, to resort to unprecedented water restriction measures.

Such restrictions now see many Jamaicans, especially in the Corporate Area of Kingston and St Andrew receiving the precious commodity only twice weekly.

The agricultural belts in several rural parishes have remained parched for some time, with farmers in parts of St Elizabeth having to resort to innovative measures including the famed practice of mulching, to keep their crops growing.

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Agri sector continues to grow despite drought, recession