The Editor, Sir:

I've been waiting very long and now running out of patience, waiting to see the day when Jamaica will embark on a revolution in agriculture.

Unlike shops, real estate investors and so many others, Jamaican farmers pay no tax on production. My first business instinct living in the parish of St Elizabeth was the erection and operation of a small grocery shop. Very early in my small operation, I was visited by agents from various state groups such MOH and the IRD. I hastily obeyed their instructions to avoid breaking the law.

What is so alarming to me is the fact that a farmer can cultivate in sight of any of our main roads, may work for his entire life without having a single visit from any of the related agencies. This can only be attributed to one reason, which is stated in paragraph one above. In this case, I would suggest that the authorities bring on a production tax or use tax collected from land/property then put the dollars to work in the development of the critical areas of agriculture.

Greatest problems

One of our greatest problems today is floods and landslides which block traffic. This causes farmers nightmares, and often go without notice except as a nuisance for motorists.

Throughout my brief time living and working in the parish, I saw the loss of over 400 acres of arable farmland by Holland (opposite the sugar estate). Hundreds of parcels of gully erosion were like a monster eating away the land and would not stop until a mini Sahara is created.

As I journeyed deeper and deeper into the parish, the picture remained the same. Acres of land are being cultivated without any regard for soil or water management. Who is responsible for the protection of our lands and the sustenance of our environments? Is RADA working for small farmers?

I want to make the following suggestions to the relevant ministries

1. Create a fund for the development of agriculture and treat it similar to or better than tourism.

2. Set up a controlling body such as RADA to work with departmental format to deal with

(a) Marketing and harvesting; (b) Pest and disease management; (c) Soil and water management

(d) Fertility management.

With these departments in place, the authority's management should set targets while the various groups plan and work assiduously to achieve them.

I am, etc.,

RICARDO RAMSAY

ramsaycar@yahoo.com

Brighton Dist/ P.O.

St Elizabeth