Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr is urging calm and has appealed for a calculated approach to managing the effects of a global food shortage.

Though pointing to record level crop production in Jamaica, the minister concedes that food prices have been on the rise since the pandemic and that prices will continue to increase due to shortages in raw material as a result of disruptions in global supply chains.

“We acknowledge those risks which will impact the inflow of goods, particularly those used in our manufacturing sector. We have been working with stakeholders to identify alternative sources of supply while also advancing our own research and development of alternative for animal feeds fertiliser and food options,” he shared in a release.

“So far, viable alternatives have been identified for critical inputs which will be affected through supply chain challenges,” Charles Jr added.

Still, the minister warns that calling the food shortage and price increases a crisis could derail the country’s ability to properly plan and mitigate risks.

“It is essential for us to be strategic, aware and careful in our utterances about the potential crisis as that could lead to premature uncertainty that overshadows our focus on being prepared. In times of challenges the right approach is to be steady and deliberate,” he explained.

The agriculture minister’s call for calm comes after being blasted for informing the Jamaica Observer that “Jamaica is not experiencing a shortage of food at this time”, pointing to the increase in local crop production. He added that Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MOAF) continues to provide support to the sector through production programmes, production incentives, and technical support from the Rural Agricultrual Development Authority and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.

However, Charles Jr’s comments have drawn the ire of the public for being insensitive and distant from the circumstances of ordinary Jamaicans.

“So says, Mr Well Fed Politican…..Don’t even mention Caricom. Caricom is a joke at this point…Look at actual food prices. It screams shortage and delays. The worse thing is that food prices never go down in Jamaica. They always trend up even when there is more than enough supply. Disgusting,” one comment on the Observer’s website read.

On Instagram, another comment read: “Jamaica is NOT (sic) self sufficient when it comes to feeding its people we rely heavily on imports. So if global leaders are saying there will be a shortage of food, and Jamaica relies on the global markets, HOW will Jamaica avoid this global shortage? Don’t just say we won’t be affected, please explain how you plan to get around this.”

Still, the MOAF maintains that it has bolstered efforts to achieve sustainable food security by using a strategic approach focused on increasing investment in the sector, boosting production, and improving resilence to global shocks and supply chain disruptions.

At the same time, Charles Jr is also calling on Jamaicans to balance their concerns with the reality of growth in agricultural production.

“We must not displace our current reality,” the agriculture minister and Member of Parliament for Clarendon South Eastern said.

“Our reality is that over the past year we significantly increased our domestic production from 697,679 tonnes in 2020 to 770,456 tonnes in 2021, reflecting a growth of 10.4 per cent for the period. Additionally, during the first three months of 2022, domestic crop production continues to increase, recording a 10.5 per cent increase of the similar period, reflecting 212,000 tonnes, the highest level recorded and quarter,” he added.

Accordingly, the MOAF said it intends on sustaining the gains by developing a long-term approach that guaranteed the availability, affordability and consistency of food supply in the local market. In addition, the ministry has implemented initiatives to ensure the availability of animal feed, fertiliser and other agricultural inputs.

“The ministry has also intensified the role of the Research and Development Division to strengthen our local seed supply, going beyond genetic preservation to multiplication through partnership with private sector, as we continue to ensure the improved nutrition of the Jamaican populace…” Charles Jr stated.