What’s up with our agriculture?
Even as Jamaica grapples with the effects of the global financial meltdown that is taking place, we need to understand that our agricultural sector is vital to the goodwill of our economy. Pressure has been put on our farmers periodically, due to the high prices, feeds and fertiliser etc, so their only choice is to put a hike on prices to make a profit.
The Ministry needs to take a more hands-on approach in dealing with this situation.
Our agricultural sector is not doing well because of large portions of imports. We are at the green light, embodied with fear and my question to the driver -the Honourable prime minister – is, in what direction is our economy headed for the next fiscal year?
We find that more people are being laid off, factories being
shut down.
Amidst this, the shocking reality is that we are responsible for only a small percentage of the nation’s ground provisions and have been for quite some time. Something needs to be done immediately!
This is not the time for either political party to be pointing fingers. We need to understand there are great possibilities for us getting past the position the country is in, if we navigate the economy wisely.
A lot of effort is being placed on eating what we grow and growing what we eat, however, more perishable goods are being imported to our shores.
This has to stop.
Jamaica has very good soil, compared to the Bahamas and its population. We are a nation that is blessed; we need not take these things for granted.
What has happened to our local poultry farmers Jamaica Broilers (JB) and Caribbean Broilers (CB) chicken?
We don’t need imported chicken quarters in the long or short term, we need more emphasis to be placed on getting to the state where we, the people, produce at least 80 per cent of our ground provisions and poultry.
It has been said on many occasions that our history speaks to experiences of hardship, prosperity, growth and determination. So as we look ahead, we are not interested in a puppet show.
Let us drive with integrity and stability for better nation growth.
