In what I thought of as a good display of travesty, "the Urban Backyard Garden Programme, designed to foster self-sufficiency in food production, to address the spiralling costs of staples, as well as the island's vulnerability to imports", was launched in May 2008, by the Minister of Agriculture, Dr Christopher Tufton.

Of all places, the programme was initiated in Portmore, where some 30 residents of Spanish Town and Portmore were presented with gardening kits consisting of seeds, soil nutrients, and crop care information.

After nine clear months, I undertook to get some insight into the success, or lack thereof, associated with this programme.

Interest of solidarity

Portmore is known for its population density, its heat, and, of course, the absence of backyards at many premises throughout the municipality. Arguably, this might have been the reason only 30 persons from the area demonstrated interest in the programme.

I have tried to ascertain the progress of the programme in Portmore, but in the interest of solidarity for the principle of the programme, I will not state the findings.

However, I will ask those responsible to contact Food For the Poor in order to obtain information on their success story, the Rural Economic Agricultural Programme (REAP), that has the distinction of assisting over 45,000 farmers. You will find the advice they have appropriately fitting.

I am, etc.,

ALRIC CAMPBELL

campbell.ar@hotmail.com

Portmore