By George Henry, Gleaner Writer
Walters
SPALDINGS, CLARENDON:
IN 1985 Ferris Walters retired as an accountant with the Ministry of Agriculture, having served for 30 years.
His intention was to devote more time to his farm in Borrowbridge, St. Ann, and to continue to nurture the relationship he had been "cultivating" with his family.
Now 18 years after his retirement, Mr. Walters, 68, who lives in Spring Ground, Manchester, says he has been doing just that.
"I love the farming thing. As a matter of fact, my father was a farmer himself. Farming was what sent me to school and it has also helped me to school my two boys," said Mr. Walters.
He said that while he was at the Ministry of Agriculture, he employed persons to work on his Borrowbridge farm where he still cultivates yams for export and rears pigs.
According to the veteran farmer, his training in accounts has enhanced his record-keeping skills and has helped to inform important business decisions.
HIGH COST OF INPUTS
Commenting on Jamaica's agricultural sector, Mr. Walters said it is in a crisis as is evidenced by among other things, the difficulties to market produce and the high cost of agricultural inputs.
He suggested that agricultural extension officers from the Ministry of Agriculture increase their visits to farming communities and provide farmers with important tips and other agricultural information.
"Extension staff usually visit the farmers regularly and have training days with them, but not much is happening at this time," said Mr. Walters.
He also said that the high interest rates on agricultural loans were not encouraging, especially for potential young farmers.
However, he said plans by the Jamaica Agricultural Society, to work in collaboration with the manufacturing sector to improve the marketing of produce, were steps in the right direction.
Mr. Walters has been married to Olivia for 36 years. The union has produced two children, Evon and Kevin.
