Business Opportunities – Agriculture – General

In the current times in which we live food security has become a major issue. As populations expand and the need for housing grows more and more prime agricultural land is being converted to residential use. In addition the weather conditions of either harsh drought or severe flooding have not helped the situation. In Jamaica we still import a significant amount of our food requirements.

This of course means that there is a tremendous need for investment in local agriculture with a view to reducing our dependence on imported produce. In fact I will go one step further and state that it is vital that we start producing more locally because the day may not be far away that we are unable or can’t afford to buy what we need overseas. We have already seen evidence of that with wheat, corn and sugar with many countries at one time or another restricting export of these commodities.

There is a need for high tech production involving the use of greenhouses which protect the crops from the elements of the weather and result in a better quality crop with a larger yield. The prices available for this production attract a premium to reflect the quality. The drawback to this approach is the high set up cost and of course the vulnerability to tropical storms and hurricanes. This approach has been tried over the years in Jamaica with varying degrees of success. In a small country with limited resources this approach may not be the most common one to pursue.

There is also a place for the more traditional approach to farming but with the use of more modern techniques and technology. For example in goat and cattle rearing the use of artificial insemination and selective breeding can help to improve the overall standard or the livestock in Jamaica. The local farmers are unable to meet the demand for meat that exists in Jamaica and are often uncompetitive. Modern methods can help to reduce overall costs while simultaneously increasing yields. In addition there are now opportunities to supply produce to the agro processing plant and to the packaging plant that have been set up recently. In areas which may not have ready access to these plants farmers need to work together and to target local hotels, restaurants and shops. These groups will grow what is need resulting in a more certain supply to these businesses who will then not have to import what they need.

It would not be fair to talk about the opportunities in agriculture without mentioning the biggest challenge i.e. praedial larceny. Too often all the hard work is undone by unscrupulous persons who take what does not belong to them. Working together and keeping an eye on each other is part of the solution but tougher regulations are required. The receipt book system has not worked and the government must be lobbied for alternative more effective measures.