Some time ago there were news reports that, as part of the process of developing a regulatory framework for the Jamaican medical marijuana industry, the Government was planning to import 100 ganja seeds. As was expected, the usual responses to this announcement were observed. Namely shock, horror and outrage that the reputed “sensimilla capital” of the Caribbean is to import Cannabis sativa seeds.

For example one online response read: “This is total disrespect! We will have to import ganja seeds when we are said to have the best quality stuff!” These are typical knee-jerk reactions to headlines without considering the rationale behind the decision to import seeds. That assertion that Jamaica has the best quality “stuff” may be based more on feelings than on facts.

On the face of it, this is the right approach by the Government. If they are really serious about creating an industry out of this agricultural subsector then these preliminary steps seem appropriate. There are several reasons why the seeds must be imported. Firstly marijuana culture in large commercial quantities is still illegal in Jamaica. Secondly, reference standards need to be developed for plant varieties suitable for the medicinal industry. Different strains have varying levels of THC (the active ingredient) and may not be appropriate for medicinal purposes. There are several other reasons why importation of a specific variety of the plant would be required. Development of value-added products from the agricultural sector should be supported by advanced science and best practices.

That being said, I am somewhat concerned about the potential for success of this latest venture. If our experience with the other major crops produced in Jamaica (eg sugar cane, coffee, banana, coconut) is anything to go by, I am not so sure of a positive outcome for this medical marijuana industry. ‘Wi goin’ haffi come good’ to capitalise on this opportunity.

Why would I say such a thing? Unless we address some serious deficiencies with the way we deal with agriculture in Jamaica, we will probably not be able to meet demand. This due to myriad factors, including disease, poor post-harvest techniques, poor irrigation and fertiliser-use, as well as the old stalwart, praedial larceny.

The point I am trying to make is that, in addition to the potential medical marijuana venture, Jamaica needs to take the current agricultural industry to the next level. I have heard so many times, both from friends and others in the public domain, “Farming is a waste of time! Agriculture in Jamaica is dead! Focus on the services industry, manufacturing and banking sectors!” I disagree with this sentiment. There is a distinct difference between ‘farming’ and an agricultural industry.

Taking a neoclassical economics approach, one should divide the factors of production of any industry into four categories: land, capital, labour, and entrepreneurship. Can Jamaica successfully apply any of these factors to its main agricultural industries? Can these be transferred to a domestic marijuana industry? To assist with this basic analysis I have outlined some questions below. These questions need to be answered in the affirmative before we can seriously consider a foray into this latest venture with medical marijuana.

Land

This includes not just land, but anything that comes from the land. Some common land or natural resources are water, oil, copper, natural gas, coal, and forests. Land resources are the raw materials in the production process. These resources can be renewable, such as forests, or non-renewable, such as oil or natural gas. The income that resource owners earn in return for land resources is called rent. Some relevant questions for this component of agricultural production include: Are we currently managing soil health? Are we setting appropriate pricing for water that results in minimising waste? Do we use organic compost from municipal waste (landfills) to supplement soil quality? Do we utilise treated sewage effluent for irrigation? Have we preserved arable lands from conversion to housing?

Capital

Capital refers to the monetary resources and physical assets required for production. Capital can also mean goods that can help produce other goods in the future, the result of investment. It often refers to machines, roads, factories, schools, infrastructure, and office buildings which humans have produced to create goods and services. For this factor, some questions that need affirmative answers are: Do we primarily use modern equipment for tilling and land preparation? Are we using technology to create efficient irrigation systems? Is there a national policy to comprehensively incorporate renewable energy into agricultural production (including pumping water)? Do we have enough functional factories and storage facilities for harvested products? Is there integrated use of software and hardware into all phases of agricultural production? Is the transportation of key agricultural inputs and outputs effective? Are marine, road and rail networks logically connected? Is there a national agricultural logistics hub?

Labour

Labour is the effort that people contribute to the production of goods and services. It is the human capital that is available to transform the raw materials into goods and services. Labour can also be the stock of knowledge. So then, do we have a sufficiently trained cadre of agricultural technologists? Are they being appropriately utilised? Are we funding undergraduate and postgraduate research to address emerging issues (yield, disease, genetics, integrated pest management, climate resilience, and adaptation)? Are we fully integrating the skills from multiple disciplines (civil engineering, mechanical engineering, electronics, software programming, botany, chemistry)? Are our trained agri-scientists able to find employment in Jamaica or are they forced to migrate? Are we equipping high school leavers with basic education so they can be trained to support various aspects of the production process?

Entrepreneurship

An entrepreneur is a person who combines the other factors of production — land, labour, capital — to earn a profit. The most successful entrepreneurs are innovators who find new ways produce goods and services or who develop new goods and services to bring to market. We can therefore ask the following: Do we have enough entities and individuals creating valuable goods and services from agricultural products? Are there are new industries being created from value-added aspects? Are new markets being sourced and created by these individuals or entities? Are there new tourism industries developed around the value-added products from agriculture? Do we have many examples of working farms (tourists pay to work on the farm)? In addition to the few rum tours, are there other types of agricultural plants that can be also used for the enjoyment and education of visitors (eg wine regions, cheese regions, other cottage industries)? Are there coffee, sugar and banana museums?

These are quite a long list of questions, but if we are able to answer “yes” to most of these then we might have half a chance with this medical marijuana industry. If not, then we still have a lot of work to do. Just imagine, what if we were able to change most of the “no” answers above to “yes”? Imagine what that could do for the economy, employment and our sense of pride?

I know many Jamaicans believe agriculture is dead and that we should instead continue to rely on our top three foreign exchange earners: remittances, all-inclusive tourism, and bauxite exports. I believe that a big part of our economic solution will depend on a modern agrarian revolution. Let’s think big!

Dr Peter E T Edwards is a marine scientist, environmental economist, and policy analyst based in the USA. He is also is engaged in long distance agricultural pursuits at his family farm in St Thomas, Jamaica