Reports coming out of the Ministry of Agriculture last month that the island’s domestic crop production increased by just over 14 per cent for the last quarter of 2008 compared to the same period in the previous year, is encouraging.

For one, it speaks volume to the insight and vision of the agriculture minister, Dr Christopher Tufton and also, the resilience of the island’s farmers who have been producing under adverse conditions for many years.

An examination of the breakdown of the changes in domestic crop production by crop groups, shows that all of these groups recorded increases in production, ranging from a five per cent increase in condiments to an 86 per cent increase in plantains.

In terms of total volume, the 5,133 tonnes, 1,658 tonnes and 971 tonnes increases in yams, vegetables and potatoes respectively, were the most significant areas of increase.

In the western region, significant increase in domestic crop production was recorded in Trelawny during the period under review, which experienced a 44 per cent increase in production, heavily influenced by yam farming.

St Elizabeth recorded a 20 per cent increase.

However, disappointedly, the parishes of Westmoreland, Hanover and St James recorded declines.

These declines, according to the ministry of agriculture, resulted from the effects of Tropical Storm Gustav, the unseasonably early and prolonged rainy season.

“The figures from the Met Office show that rainfall in August of 2008 was 197 per cent above normal and for August and September combined, was 143 per cent above normal. These months are critical land preparation and crop establishment periods for fourth quarter production,” said Tufton.

The high cost of inputs, especially fertiliser also impacted negatively on the sector.

But the resilience of the farmers and the intervention of the ministry of agriculture in providing tropical storm relief in the form of fertiliser vouchers, seeds, and technical guidance helped to drive the recovery process. The decision on the part of Government to import fertiliser directly and to make it available to farmers at significant savings assisted in increasing crop establishment and also provided additional nutrition to crops already in the ground.

But while these interventions are commendable the government needs to go much further to assist farmers if it wants to ensure food security.

It should for instance, move speedily to put the thousands of arable lands across the island in production.

In Trelawny and St James for example, there are hundreds of acres of lands that were once in sugar cane cultivation lying idle since the closure of the Hampden Sugar factory almost seven years ago.

The restructuring of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) should also be fast-tracked and should among other things, involve the hiring of more extension officers to provide greater technical service to farmers in areas such as information on marketing and crop husbandry.

The matter of praedial larceny which continues to plague the sector must also be addressed.

Additionally, steps must be taken to make loans more accessible to farmers.

Undoubtedly, some would argue that Dr Tufton is an asset to the agricultural sector.

But the farmers who have been experiencing severe hardship over years are probably not too pleased with the slow pace at which the restructuring of the sector is taking place.