The Editor, Sir:

The Minister of Agriculture Dr Christopher Tufton launches an effort to prevent a possible food shortage crisis and to decrease the amount of food we import. The plans that Dr Tufton outlined are very interesting but the question people are asking is, why just now?

Food independenceFor years farmers across Jamaica and organisations such as the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), have been lobbying for projects to increase the level of food independence. Instead, there has been focus on cell phones, Highway 2000, Bus Park, hosting "major" events and political rivalry etc. But the thought of feeding our nation sufficiently and more cost-effectively was never near.

Can you imagine that some of the food we import includes: banana, apples, carrot, chicken, mutton, tomato, ginger, potato, cabbage, sugar etc. All of these are produced locally and can be increased. But over the years it was never done and there was no doubt that the funds were there to do the job. Now the country may not be so far from becoming like our Caribbean neighbours, Haiti; that had some massive food riots recently. These problems did not form overnight and should have been dealt with long ago. Why just now?

The Ministry of Agriculture has given our local farmers baskets to carry water. Land, equipment, seeds and even water is a serious problem at times for farmers to source. Help should have been pouring in to farmers and relevant organisations.

The delay should blamed on from the agricultural ministry and the Government on a whole and they should take full responsibility for their lack of action.

I am, etc.,

HARTLEY PALMER

fashandboy@yahoo.com

Corn Field, Gordon P.O.

St Andrew,/b>