The Editor, Sir:

Finally there has been some common-sense proposals at the disposal of our policymakers on agriculture-production strategies. Claude Clarke is precisely correct; we cannot substitute any significant share of our food imports on the assumption that the simple idea of expanding local production of primary produce solves the problem. If this was achievable entrepreneurs would have long since taken up the option.

In their usual effort to present grandiose, populist ideas and schemes, some of our politicians, usually unqualified, launch themselves into costly and unproved endeavours, the end result of which is the misallocation of scarce resources, contributing to the build-up of the huge Government/national debt. Unsuspecting farmers are led into a financially ruinous endeavour.

The tragedy is that our experts who should be questioning these ideas, become a part of the cheering crowd while any competence that resides in the public bureaucracy goes into hiding, usually for fear of being replaced if a challenge is mounted.

Cost/benefit results

We cannot grow corn, wheat or rice competitively. Any investment made in this pursuit will be lost. This is particularly damaging when the tab goes to the taxpayer. I would like the Ministry of Agriculture to publish the cost/benefit results of the 300 acres of cassava which the minister, Dr Christopher Tufton decreed to be planted.

I suspect that if the project was undertaken the results would be embarrassing. This is not to say that cassava is not a viable crop as our bammies can be exported to the diaspora for good returns. The simple fact is that cassava cannot be a staple as the minister thought. Imported rice, corn and flour will always be cheaper for reasons that the factors of production are better suited in other countries than we can achieve.

A friend who is a small manufacturer of speciality beverages for export, imports Irish moss from Canada because he simply can not depend on local supplies for consistency, quality and price.

Our best bet is to concentrate on what we have some proven experience in doing. Jamaica produces the best coffee, cocoa, ginger, mangoes, among other valuable crops. Production in these crops is far below historical levels. With adequate supplies of these crops, we should incentivise investments in the activities that will permit the production of speciality products that attract a high value in the market place.

I urge the authorities to take advice on the subject of food security which is an issue that is inextricably linked to appropriate multilateral policies and solutions to food production and the global trade in food.

I am, etc

E. JONES

Kingston