This is the first in a new series ‘From the Manifestos’, which will look at several key areas presented by the ruling Jamaica Labour Party (JLP) and the Opposition People’s National Party in the lead up to the December 29 general election.

JLP on agriculture

THE Jamaica Labour Party says its most compelling priorities for the agricultural sector will be to increase productivity through the use of technology, improve farming practices and provide better access to markets.

The ruling party, in its manifesto launched earlier this week, said it is committed to a wide-scale application of technology to increase productivity. This, it said, will involve aggressive promotion of proven technology such as green house, hydroponics and tissue culture to increase yield, improve quality and rationalise the use of scarce water.

Additionally, it would provide training and technical support for farmers to master the application of new technologies, promote greater use of bio-technology through the National Research and Development Centre and improve the quality and marketability of farm produce.

The JLP said it is also committed to a better extension of services such as restoration and expansion of agricultural extension services to ensure effective transfer of technology and application of modern practices.

In 2007, the JLP said the ratio of farmers to Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) extension officers was 3,000 to one. Through restructuring of the agency, the party said there was a doubling of the number of extension officers which now stands at approximately 1,500 farmers to one officer.

The party has promised to improve the capabilities for pest and disease control by stricter quarantine procedures and speedier detection and corrective practices, as well as provide technical and financial support for organic farming to exploit the growing international market for organically produced foods. This is expected to be supported by the introduction of an organic farming policy.

The JLP is also proposing the promotion, cultivation and export marketing of exotic crops including pimento, nutmeg and turmeric, along with medicinal and culinary herbs and spices in a strategic programme integrated with Brand Jamaica Campaign.

The development of a cold chain through the provision of refrigeration facilities to extend the shelf life of farmer’s produce and improve marketing possibilities, is another proposal.

Additionally, the JLP said it will improve market intelligence through the gathering and timely dissemination of marketing information to provide farmers with options for marketing their produce.

Farmers will also be trained in proper selection, grading and packaging practices to effectively synchronise farm production with market requirements.

The party said it intends to provide incentives for agro-processors to extend the market for agricultural produce and provide greater predictability and price stability for farmers. The availability of low-interest loans will continue to be made available to farmers through the People’s Co-operative banks.

The JLP said it will improve existing irrigation schemes and establish new ones to increase the acreage of land available for high productivity farming.

It also proposed to institute measures to protect and expand the livestock sector and improve productivity with a view to capturing a greater share of the domestic market while protecting milk producers to mitigate the effects of subsidised imported milk solids.

A comprehensive programme is to be established to improve the management of the marine fishing industry to include more vigilant efforts to stem illegal fishing in Jamaican waters. It will also involve careful monitoring of fish population, implementation of an environmental programme to stop pollution, provision of loans and training for fishers; provision of safety gear; improved refrigeration facilities at major fishing beach; introduction of new scientific methods for growing high demand species and the implementation of a programme to clean up and upgrade fishing beaches.

The JLP also plans to intensify efforts to combat praedial larceny through reorganising, retraining, equipping and redeploying constables to be more effective.

Also among the JLP’s proposals is the expansion of rice and pineapple production and the development of post- harvest facilities for the modernisation of Jamaican agriculture.

The JLP also has plans for the establishment of an Agricultural Development Fund of a $120 million annually to support initiatives that will either modernise or develop the industry.

PNP on agriculture

SHOULD it form the next government, the Opposition People’s National Party (PNP) said it intends to place greater focus on increased food security as agriculture will remain one of the main planks of the Jamaican economy.

In its manifesto, which was released last week, the PNP said the objective of food security assumes increased significance for small island states such as Jamaica, which are net importers of food.

Noting that Jamaica’s annual food import bill over the last few years has averaged over US$800 million, the PNP said “import substitution to boost food security and enhanced rural development and employment, is of paramount importance”.

The party, in its manifesto, said it would focus on development of starch derived from roots and tubers to support the carbohydrate requirement of the nation. “This support will promote the expansion of production of sweet and Irish potatoes, cassava, yam, and bananas through incentives such as the supply of inputs, extension service and research,” according to the PNP.

The manifesto further outlines that an objective of this programme is the production of flour from these products which could be mixed with imported wheat in the production of a variety of products. The PNP said its administration would mandate the involvement of the school-feeding programme as well as other state institutions such as hospitals and prisons.

The PNP is also proposing the development and expansion of herbs such as mint and cerasee to supply the local manufacturing sub-sector as well as the needs of the Caribbean Community.

In addition, the PNP has promised to resuscitate the fruit tree crop programme under which the government would provide seedlings, loans and grants for land preparation to qualified farmers.

Also among the proposals is for the orientation of investment promotion activities to exploit the potential of the export of roots, tubers, herbs, spices and fresh vegetables.

“This could be facilitated by the promotion of strategic partnerships with wholesale and retail outlets in North America and Europe with producers in Jamaica,” the PNP said.

Meanwhile the PNP said the administration through the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) will organise farmers to produce for export at the requisite quality and consistency, through the provision of proper technical advisory services. Additionally, the PNP said it will collaborate with the major retail chains to partner with farmers, as well as continue the construction of ‘packing houses’ and offer these to interested investors who are willing to contract with farmers.

The party is also proposing the development of farmsteads for young graduates of agricultural institutions, which would comprise a starter-housing unit on 5-10 acres equipped with irrigation and other infrastructure necessary for modern farming activities. The production of the farmhands, the PNP said, would be driven by available markets which the government would assist the young farmers to identify.

The PNP is also proposing to continue the implementation of the National Irrigation Development Plan (NIDP) which it said was critical to combating the impact of climate change and overcoming marginal productivity associated with rain-fed agriculture. It said a new component — installation of solar or other alternative energy sources — would be added to the NIDP in order to reduce the cost of irrigated water.

At the same time, the PNP said the promulgation of policy positions will include a National Food Security Policy consistent with the Food and Agriculture Organisation guidelines that focus on food availability, food accessibility, food safety, effective utilisation and consumption and stability.

Other policies will include the National Fisheries Policy aimed at resuscitating inland fisheries, establishing legislation to eliminate poaching and the revisit importation; policy on apiculture, nutraceuticals, genetically modified foods and a policy on nutrition of children in public schools.

The party is also proposing to finalise the Praedial Larceny Prevention Programme and the development and implementation of a strategic programme to resuscitate conserve and facilitate the orderly development of a viable ruminant livestock sector.