R. Danny Williams, board member of the private Tony Thwaites Wing, at the University Hospital of the West Indies in Mona, St Andrew. - File

Increasing food security concerns brought on by skyrocketing food prices have caused one local industry leader to call for support from other private and public sector heads to find solutions to avert an impending local crisis.

R. Danny Williams, chairman of the Jamaica Broilers Group Ltd, says food security and soaring oil prices are now a top priority for most governments as well as private sector companies around the world, especially those involved in food production.

He said it was therefore important that leaders across all industry platforms made a collaborative effort to provide effective solutions in keeping food prices at a level Jamaicans can afford.

The call came during The Jamaica Broilers Group civic and business leaders' breakfast held in recognition of the organisation's 50th anniversary at the Hilton Kingston hotel, New Kingston last Wednesday.

In attendance were several industry leaders from the political arena, media and commercial sectors, including Prime Minister Bruce Golding and Opposition Leader Portia Simpson Miller.

"We are well aware that these 50th anniversary celebrations are taking place at a truly momentous time in the history of not only Jamaica, but also the entire world," added Williams.

New levels

"Our group is among those which will have to reach for new levels of innovation in order to keep our productions as affordable as possible in a scenario where the cost of our imports seem to be increasing almost daily."

The rising cost of oil and the resultant growing demand for corn and wheat as sources of biofuel has pushed up the price of many food items globally.

An estimated 40 per cent increase in food prices since last year has sparked violent protests in the Caribbean, Africa and South Asia.

In Jamaica, main staples like flour have recorded more than a 30 per cent movement in price since April 1, following the end of the Government's three-month price support programme. Chicken meat has also been selling for about $120 per pound, following several price hikes over the last four months.

Williams continued: "Suffice it to say that it is going to take the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders at both the public and private sector levels to ensure that we find solutions that can be beneficial to all of us."

He added: "At Jamaica Broilers Group we are confident that such collaboration will provide the desired results."

Advanced and diversified

Meanwhile, in reminiscing on the Jamaica Broilers 50 years of service to Jamaica, Williams said with God's guidance the organisation has grown to become one of the most advanced and diversified agricultural producers in any developing nation today.

Prime Minister Golding, in bringing congratulations to the staff and directors of Jamaica Broilers, said the organisation was an example of what can be achieved when there is vision.

"Today they represent not just something we salute, not just an enterprising effort that we commend, but something that must be held up as a template of how a small country, like Jamaica, can achieve standards of excellence that endure," he said.