The Editor, Sir:

Over the years, farming in Jamaica has been taking a severe battering. When it is not praedial larceny, it's hurricane, drought or simply neglect of the sector. It is therefore very refreshing to learn of the contribution that the Christiana Potato Growers Co-operative is making to sustain farming with the help of the United Nations International Fund for Agricultural Development and the member of parliament for North East Manchester, Audley Shaw.

The Potato Growers Association is on the right track in securing a sustainable agricultural product for its farmers. The use of the protected agriculture technique makes good sense and this practice is what I would refer to as 'smart farming' that is fit for purpose. Protected agriculture will ensure that our farmers continue to reap rewards from their hard labour by seeing their crops come to fruition and not being stolen, flooded out or blighted by lack of water or proper irrigation.

I have always maintained that farming, which can be more labour intensive than capital intensive, has the potential not only to earn much needed foreign exchange for the country but also to increase the employment opportunities for many Jamaicans. This would help significantly to reduce the population of the unskilled or I dare say under-skilled labour force.

Commend efforts

Both the member of parliament and the United Nations should be commended for prioritising resources to allocate to this area. Additionally, we should commend the efforts of the past ministers of agriculture who have undoubtedly established the foundation and the framework for this to happen.

The new minister of agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton, should also be commended for his visionary approach to the sector, and we should all take up his challenge to grow what we eat and eat what we grow. I believe we are at the time when all stakeholders should come on board in ensuring that agriculture is prioritised and sustained in Jamaica.

Opportune time

With all the current debate on food security and sustainable agricultural development, it is an opportune time for us to engage the public and private sectors, community organisations, academia and youth in a national discussion on this theme.

We should embark on a programme to reposition agriculture as one of the pillars to facilitate growth and development and build a credible sensitisation and awareness programme to remove some of the unhealthy stigma attached to farming thus paving the way for our young people to take up these opportunities as viable options to improve their livelihoods.

I am,etc.,

COURTNEY

CHRISTIE-VEITCH

ccveitch@yahoo.com.