There are concerns about the proposal to use mined-out bauxite lands to cultivate cassava.

Mark Harris, associate professor of environmental science at the Northern Caribbean University, opines that the current method of removing soil for mining often means that few or no nutrients remains.

Soil deterioration

Harris argues that while cassava can survive in low-nutrient soils, large-scale production of the crop could change that.

"Considering the planned expansion of bauxite mining in Jamaica, and the consequent potential for soil deterioration, more evaluation of the impact of current methods of overburden removal and storage of soils seems necessary," he says.

Manage the soil

Dean of the faculty of agriculture at the College of Agriculture and Science Education, Captain Jonathan Lamey, agrees.

Lamey adds that the Government must be vigilant in its efforts to manage the soil and must implement stronger penalties for miners who do not properly remove, store and replace top soil.