'Look to agriculture' -- St Mary farmers say gov't should expand sector

Some farmers in St Mary believe Jamaica has the potential to vastly increase its production output and urged the new Government to throw its support behind the agricultural sector.

According to president of the Jeffrey Town Farmers' Association, Wordsworth Gordon, adopting a new approach to agriculture could help the new administration create employment and increase the revenue earned from exports.

He told The Gleaner: "I believe the sector has demised over the years because we've ignored, especially in St Mary, many of our staple crops; things like pimento and cocoa, which is the best in the world, but something we've abandoned.

"There was no unemployment in Western St Mary when I was a child. Even a child could leave school and earn money picking cocoa or carrying bananas. I believe we should be looking at producing all crops, not just vegetables, because there are millions of dollars to be earned exporting crops such as cocoa and pimento.

"I think the real problem is that everyone is looking forward for technological evolutions, but forgetting our history and past at their own peril."

Meanwhile, general manager at Jamaica Producers, Neil Crum-Ewing, noted that praedial larceny and unnecessary bureaucracy were among his biggest challenges. Herletta Gordon of the Mile Gully Entrepreneurial Group believes education and training are essential.

She said: "Focusing on agriculture could really change Jamaica because we have the land space and jobs are hard to find; so if we can do some farming and sell our products, we'll be able to generate income, which is important for young people in the community, especially those without any skills or education."