Time and time again we hear voices from all quarters — academia, private and public sectors, the medical profession, etc — that COVID-19 has ushered in a “new normal”. It can’t be business as usual!

A new paradigmatic shift is a must if we are going to address honestly the very many inadequacies in all areas of life which have come to light since this recent crisis. One of those inadequacies is agriculture, which addresses the basic need to feed ourselves rather than to rely on imports. A recent article by Peter Espeut in The Gleaner, entitled ‘We need an agricultural revolution’, highlights that very crucial issue. The examples he gave of others getting our products, for example pineapple, and outdistancing us in their production should put us to shame and have us question ourselves as to our competence in areas other than sports and music. Deacon Espeut attributes this laid-back approach to agriculture to lazy minds: “We have too many people in power with lazy minds who only think of margin-gathering: Build some houses and make a profit.” We need to arise from our slumber and embrace the new normal. It is integral to our development.

Government must encourage and incentivise farmers to think seriously about agriculture in a big way. The need exists for the Government to set up incentives to make farming the respectable vocation that it is. Then active steps must be taken to cut the usual cumbersome red tape that is so common at government institutions.

There must be consideration for how to modernise and be smart in production with the tools necessary to yield enough to meet our local consumption needs, as well as those of our tourist industry. To do this both the Government and farmers must think outside the box. For instance, administrations must revisit the continued insistence to build houses on fertile lands. Bernard Lodge Estate and a few others come quickly to mind. Serious thought must be given to some form of agrarian reform that would favour greater and serious productivity.

If we are to feed the nation and our tourists, priority must be given to modern, mechanised farming of vast acreage of fertile land, with well-organised resources that will ensure safety of production from the crippling praedial larceny by those ignoring the scriptural message, “By the sweat of your brow you will eat your bread,” written in Genesis 3:19. Modern electrical equipment to capture those bent on reaping without planting is a must; otherwise, in the end, frustration will discourage productivity, and we will be back at square one or the “old normal”. Clearly, this demands a big outlay of investment which the ordinary farmer does not have, but if we are serious about feeding ourselves this must be the way.

Does that mean that there is no place for small farmers? On the contrary! We must not discourage anyone from tilling the soil. However, small farmers cannot continue to cultivate only what they like; the quality of the soil and consumption needs must be considered. The land they are cultivating might not be conducive to the production they desire because of the quality soil. Yet, it is crucial that small farmers be encouraged, but they must begin to think outside the box. For example, in Kenya, small farmers are beginning to embrace mechanised farming for greater yield. This is where there could be closer coordination between small farmers and entities such as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) for tips on how to maximise their productivity — even through tractors on loan or other modes of co-operation — and together everyone works to get their quality produce to market. The various avenues and portals, properly utilised, could assist in effective marketing so that there is no spoilage due to lack of transportation.

The new normal exchanges crippling individualism for wholesome collaboration, even in farming. New concepts and interconnection are means to usher in an agricultural revolution for the good of Jamaica, land we love.

COVID-19 must be seen as a crisis that opens up opportunities for us to grow as a nation whose people are resilient and resourceful, and who inhabit a land that is productively blessed. What a waste it would be — and we would have suffered in vain were we to continue as before in our wonted nonchalant way of “No problem, man!”

And, wait for salvation from outside ourselves! It is better that we usher in an agricultural revolution than to make ourselves vulnerable to another type years from now that might even undermine our motto, “Out of Many, One People.”

Donald J Reece is Roman Catholic archbishop emeritus of Kingston. Send comments to the Jamaica Observer or don.j.reece@gmail.com.