EDITORIAL - Appalling leadership in farmers' organisations

We have not been shy in articulating our belief in agriculture's ability to make a substantial contribution to Jamaica's economy, and the country's broader development, despite the sector's poor performance in recent decades.

That potential, however, cannot be fulfilled in an absence of strong and effective leadership, with which, unfortunately, the sector is not now endowed and has not been for a very long time.

We do not here refer to the agriculture minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, who, as this newspaper has noted in the past, is one of the few decent ministers in an administration that has not been particularly marked by competence. Indeed, in his most recent report to Parliament, Dr Tufton again outlined a vision for a modern agricultural sector that is deeply integrated into the broader economy, so as to extract greater value. Importantly too, he has not only talked, but has sought to put in place skilled technocrats, policies and institutions which can help to bring to reality that vision.

Bypassed by modernity

But elsewhere, agricultural leadership seems to be ensconced in time capsules, oblivious to shifting circumstances, including global economic alignments and technological advances. Or, to put it bluntly, they appear to have been bypassed by modernity.

It may not be the most egregious case, but this atrophy, maybe because of its profile, and supposedly overarching role, is especially apparent in the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS). This organisation is 115 years old and acts its age - slow, musty and bereft of ideas, except for those times when it stirs itself and musters a growl to demand a top-up in subvention from the Government. The JAS, which likes to thump its chest about its assets of $300 million, depends on government support of around $70 million a year to prop up its top-heavy infrastructure.

Entirely unabashed

What is surprising is that the JAS, ostensibly a farmers' lobby, is entirely unabashed at having Jamaican Governments paying its way. Further, the leadership of the JAS has long been captured by the People's National Party, which makes it a more potent protector of the party's fortunes than articulator of the interests of farmers on the rare occasions it is able to conjure up an idea.

It seems to us that for the good of agriculture, the JAS has two options. It must undertake a major review of its role and functions, free itself of old baggage and re-emerge as a modern organisation with a clear function and with non-aligned leadership. Or, second, it should disband itself and allow a new, and relevant, farmers' organisation to emerge.

While the JAS is the prime example of farm bungling sector groups pretending at agricultural leadership, it is, as we noted, not the only one. There are many more, like, for instance, the Jamaica Sugar Cane Growers' Association from which occasional bellowing and grandstanding masquerades as perception but adds little value to either the sector's, or agriculture's development. Its real value, it seems, is more to provide a platform from which to project personal profiles.

Like the JAS, the Citrus Growers' Association is tired and shuffling, but at least seems to accept its need for help. Most of the rest are comatose, or close thereto.

It may be necessary, though, to euthanise some of farmers groups for the good of agriculture.

The opinions on this page, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gleaner. To respond to a Gleaner editorial, email us: editor@gleanerjm.com or fax: 922-6223. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all responses will be published.