The Editor, Sir:

Years ago a student at then CAST educated me to the fact that the farmer is the only independent businessman in Jamaica. Think for a moment on this very profound statement.

A lot of us then were able to attend high school and college from the proceeds of various farms. I remember when every hill top in the summer was covered with golden corn swaying in the breeze.

But now those hills stand bare or forested by wild bush. Acres and acres of lands which should have been farmed stand bare. There is a huge market in Haiti for food. The Haitians would eat cassava, tomatoes and cauliflower instead of dirt patties.

Politicians must stop pontificating and work to set Jamaica on the road to feeding itself.

I am, etc.,

CHARLENE WARD

charlene9974@yahoo.com

Chicago, Illinois

Via Go-Jamaica