MANCHESTER, Jamaica — Member of Parliament for Manchester Southern, Peter Bunting, has undertaken a three-part strategy to transform the largely farming community.

He outlined his strategy in the House of Representatives on Tuesday during his contribution to the State of the Constituency Debate.

“One of my first initiatives after being elected was to commission a Constituency Development Plan prepared by experts using community consultations and national data. The plan identifies three interconnected economic opportunities – agriculture, the blue economy, and community and cultural tourism,” Bunting outlined.

On agriculture, Bunting said, “We propose modernising farming through technology, irrigation, improved water management, farmer clusters, agro-processing and more dependable markets”. He said the recent escallion glut in New Forest demonstrated that increasing production is pointless if farmers cannot sell profitably.

“Meanwhile, recurring droughts leave farmers on the Manchester plateau vulnerable because they depend almost entirely on rainfall,” he said.

Regarding the blue economy, Bunting, who’s the Opposition Spokesman on Productivity, Efficiency and Competitiveness, posited that the proposed Alligator Pond Blue Economy Hub would strengthen fisheries, seafood handling, processing and market access. He said it would also create opportunities for vendors, restaurants and other small businesses.

In the area of community and cultural tourism, Bunting told the Parliament that, “We want locally-owned accommodation, transport, food and visitor experiences that allow more visitor-spending to remain in our communities.

“These sectors can reinforce one another, supported by digital skills, technical training, and small-enterprise development”.

Bunting said the objective is to create a wider range of opportunities so that young people have a genuine choice about remaining in, or returning to, their communities. He said bauxite is also part of this story, arguing that mining-affected communities deserve proper land rehabilitation, lasting infrastructure and investments that benefit future generations.

Bunting argued that, “Communities that have borne the environmental and social costs of extracting billions of dollars in mineral wealth should not have to beg for crumbs from the industry. They deserve a fair and lasting share of the economic benefits”.

Bunting said that while advocating for structural change, he and his team have also addressed immediate needs. “Before Hurricane Melissa, our team supported drain cleaning. Afterwards, we distributed food, water, tarpaulins and hygiene supplies, and facilitated internet connectivity and charging facilities where communications were disrupted.

“We have also supported water trucking, de-bushing and drainage work in collaboration with relevant agencies”.

Bunting also pointed to organising a medical fair and supporting another, collectively reaching hundreds of constituents. “We provided educational assistance to approximately 300 students at different levels, with particular emphasis on tertiary education because of its high cost. Our drones in schools tour reached five schools, exposing students to practical applications of emerging technology,” he added.

Said Bunting, “I want our children to see technology not as something happening elsewhere, but as something they can use to create opportunities in Manchester Southern”.

The Opposition lawmaker concluded his presentation with three proposals: a needs-based infrastructure funding formula that considers geography, road networks, settlement patterns and the actual cost of providing services—not simply population; coordinated investment in essential rural services such as roads, water, education, healthcare, broadband and accessible financial services; and sustained support for rural enterprise, skills and investment, creating opportunities for young people to build productive lives in the communities where they grew up.

“I invite the Government, private sector and development partners to help convert our Constituency Development Plan into funded projects with measurable outcomes, clear timelines and accountability. The people of Manchester Southern are not asking for charity. They are asking for a fair chance to succeed where they live,” said Bunting.

— Lynford Simpson