The prime minister, the governor general, the minister of agriculture, business icon, Gordon 'Butch' Stewart and Guyana's prime minister, among others, have expressed what most of us already know: agriculture is the brightest hope for the country.

It has the ability to create thousands of jobs, which would have an enormous impact on the economy. Because of this and the proximity to the world's largest free-trade area, NAFTA, Jamaica could be a gold mine of opportunity, especially now that food security has become a global issue and the world sugar shortage is upon us, resulting in escalating prices.

Jamaica can easily be self-sufficient in food production - crops and animal. First, a state-of-the-art sugar refinery should be built. There is none currently in existence within the CARICOM countries.

Upgrade or rebuild

The country should then modernise, upgrade or rebuild run-down sugar factories, stop exporting its raw sugar, and start producing refined sugar to satisfy its domestic needs, as well as exporting this commodity to its CARICOM counterparts. This initiative would do wonders for the country's balance of payments while simultaneously creating wealth and high-quality jobs for the country and its people.

The church, the media, the private sector, young people and society should get on the agriculture bandwagon - get behind agriculture and make it happen.

I would like to see an aggressive public-relations campaign sponsored by the print and electronic media geared towards the schools featuring agriculture in particular. Modernisation and technology should play an integral part of this effort, land availability and reform, as well as the expansion of greenhouse farming. Infrastructural improvement, such as roads, irrigation and storage must also be looked at. For example, it has been reported that only a fraction of arable lands is now in production. These lands should be identified and brought into production.

Change its mindset

So the country has to change its mindset and perception towards agriculture and take it more seriously. Traditional crops should be vastly expanded and farmers better compensated.

The country has now resumed rice production. Wheat, corn and soybeans should also be on the agenda. Fruit orchards should be expanded and factories built to process juices for schools and general consumption. Snack food, highlighting roots chips, should also be expanded, with additional varieties. The cassava chip factory in St Mary is a perfect example that agriculture does create jobs. Praedial larceny is a very serious offence and must be addressed, but it shouldn't be a deterrent. The country is blessed with the basics: land, water, sunlight, tropical weather and labour. all that is needed is action and will power.

I am, etc.

NOEL MITCHELL

Nlmworld@yahoo.com

New York, USA