The Editor, Sir:

The announcement of the cassava project by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, in response to the rice shortage and soaring world food prices, has been met with much opposition. Its intent is to safeguard nutritional supplies to Jamaican households. I am, however, of the view that this project is not Jamaica's best option and I disagree with the project.

On the suggestion of your 'Letter of the Day' writer, Allende, on April 23, I am writing to promote a most suitable alternative to the cassava. This suggested alter-native to the cassava, just so happens to be the world's fourth-most-important and abundant food crop, after maize, wheat and rice. It is, of course, the potato.

More calories

It (the potato) provides more calories, more quickly, using less land and in a wider range of climates than any other plant. In case we missed it, 2008 is the 'International Year of the Potato' as declared by the United Nations. The UN hopes that through the promotion and heightening of the virtues of the potato, it will contribute to the achievement of its Millennium Development Goals, by helping to alleviate global poverty, improve international food security and sustain economic development.

According to the International Potato Centre, whose head-quarters are near Lima in Peru, that country has some 3,500 varieties of this food crop, of which 25 varieties are grown commercially. Peru is seeking to capitalise on the focus being placed on the potato this year by increasing exports and with a government-sponsored inter-national road show.

The key to the potato's value lies in its high yield and its almost perfect balance of nutrients. Potatoes can produce more energy per unit area per day than any other crop, and it is possible to survive on a diet of potatoes with very little else. This food crop was responsible for sustaining the population boom in Ireland in the early to mid-1800s. The potato also promoted economic development by underpinning the industrial revolution in England in the 19th century, with its easy cultivation and inexpensive calories it liberated labourers from the land.

The many uses of potato

Think of the many ways in which we in Jamaica at present use this noble tuber: potato salad, potato chips, French fries, mashed potatoes, baked, boiled, in soup, etc, and most of it is imported into the country.

How many ways do we eat cassava? It has to be additionally processed to remove poisonous cyanide. Money has to be spent to reintroduce and promote its use to Jamaican households. Potatoes are grown right here and with a little support can sustain an entire nation, history has proven it already.

More information

All this information can be found in three articles in the February 28 printed and online editions of the Economist. I suggest that Minister Tufton and the cassava supporters take a read.

'Propitious Esculent (meaning 'helpful food'): The Potato in World History', is a biography of the potato by John Reader and is a must read for persons wanting more info on the potato. It can be purchased on Amazon.com.

I am, etc.,

STEFAN C.

HEMMINGS

kcheadboy96_97@yahoo.co

7 Darlington Avenue

Kingston 8