Val Wint | Agriculture under threat

LET ME commend Minister Nigel Clarke on the stimulus package he presented during his 2020-21 Budget Debate, which, I hope, will bring some relief to many Jamaicans who have become vulnerable at this time. We do understand that aspects of this package was predicated on the Government’s projected earnings from direct taxation and other tariffs throughout the fiscal year. In light of the uncertainties that this current pandemic brings, the likelihood of the Government earning less than the projected amounts is a real possibility. However, despite the challenges that this situation may bring, I must highlight some pressing concerns relating to food security and the very vulnerable state of our agricultural sector.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries need to immediately explain how the $200 million allocated to the ministry under the COVID-19 pandemic stimulus programme will be used. It is widely believed by farmers that this money will be given to them to regenerate their crops, while other proposing argument is that these monies are to be used to buy back produce from these farmers. Or is it that this allocation will be used to facilitate both?

PERISHABLE PRODUCE

Minister, as you are aware, fresh farm produce are highly perishable, and what may be in Grade A condition today may not be even worthy to feed hogs next week. Our farmers need to know NOW what is it that they are to be expecting. I have been getting numerous calls from farmers within the south-western St Ann, north-eastern Manchester and north-western Clarendon cluster of communities, panicking about the ominous situation that they are now faced with.

• Farmers have to be giving away their produce to avoid spoilage.

• Selling goods below market value.

• On many occasions, watching them go to waste in their fields.

• And their inability to financially re-establish their farms.

Amid these growing concerns, these farmers are faced with:

• The competition from the continuous importation of basic food items.

• Poor market conditions (glut, and now a closed tourism sector).

• Praedial larceny.

• High cost on seeds, fertilisers, and other farm essentials.

• The lack of proper water-harvesting facilities, with the impending drought.

• In addition to these are tax notices for farmlands.

IMPORT BILL

Food is the staff of life, and in this pandemic our country’s food security should be foremost in our thoughts; indeed, the farmers are making every effort in this regard and desperately needs the Government’s assistance now.

Statistics show an annual import bill in excess of US$900 million, with more than US$115 million being spent on the importation of seafood such as fish, herring, sardine, mackerel, shrimp and crab. In addition, chicken neck and back, beef, mutton, goat meat, wheat, rice and other grains, as well as fruit and vegetable products, are among the top imported items.

We need to greatly empower our farmers. ‘Grow what we eat and eat what we grow’ needs to become our national mantra. Now more than ever, with the reality that the coronavirus has brought upon us – restrictions in border movements, deceleration and, in many instances, the total halting of production among many of our major trading partners, in addition to the high spending that comes with importing items, and the fact that, for Jamaica to rebound – we have no choice but to look away from these high levels of imports.

We need to protect our food safety net; this means protecting our farmers. I strongly believe that as a Government, in order to achieve this we must do the following:

1. In this time of panic and uncertainty, make it your first priority to properly educate farmers of their benefits under this stimulus programme so that they (the farmers) can move with certainty towards the re-establishment of their farms.

2. Start the farm-gate buy-back programme NOW, because, as noted above, the farmers are losing their crops due to overmaturity and spoilage.

3. Activate field officers so that a formal, accountable and transparent disbursement of these benefits can take place

4. Ensure that the farmers are resourced with the necessary supplies (seeds, fertilisers, pesticides) they require.

5. Strongly promote the ‘Grow what we eat’ campaign and curtail the import of products that are available locally.

6. Immediately move to waive the property tax on farmlands for this tax year, and remove the payment for land at least for farming on government-owned lands.

7. Truck water to farms.

8. Plan for the long-term – Set up proper water-harvesting systems, even on a community basis, to assist farmers in times of drought and to boost irrigation, and thus production.

9. Set up accessible storage houses to capitalise on glut periods.

10. Undertake the establishment of farm roads by RADA so that farmers and produce buyers can have greater accessibility to these farms.

Mr Minister, we Jamaicans are resilient and hard-working, all we need is the required resources to create wonders. I believe that with a sustainable and well-managed agricultural programme in place, Jamaica can feed itself and thrive exponentially in exports. Food security is the greatest asset a country can attain, and this lies squarely in the hands of our farmers. Treat them well and we will reap the rewards. Remember, Honourable Minister, ‘You cannot milk a walking cow in search of grass.’

Val Wint is a businessman and People’s National Party candidate for South West St Ann. Feedback columns@gleanerjm.com