The mantra "to grow what you eat and eat what you grow" is a little disingenuous. How can we fully develop agriculture to a standard where there is a significant increase in production where we can genuinely feed ourselves and export, without the fundamental groundwork being done first?

I am referring to rural communities struggling with infrastructure problems such as poor roads, lack of transportation and inadequate water systems. Now I have come from a long line of farmers, who saw the importance and the true sense of growing or making use of the land to feed themselves and their families. They were armed with their entrepreneurial ideas and their zeal for working for themselves. However, the struggles they had encountered 20 years ago are the same ones I am faced with today.

eventualities and scenarios

I am yet to see the advertised zeal for supporting farming transferred from the television and print media to real-life eventualities and scenarios. Having a protégé to model around and depict youth in farming and all is very nice, but what of the reality of the other farmers, who are not able to get the attention of a minister or someone with clout to bring his/her plight to the forefront?

My questions are: what are the real plans for agriculture, not the PR campaign nor the poster presentation? What are we genuinely doing to realise the fact that indeed, we can produce, export and grow what we eat?

I am blessed to have received lands through heritage. I have tried for years to develop the community and the lands through farming and other activities. Same problem, different era: no proper roads, no running water. For things to grow they need water; water is life! The powers that be, please intervene.

I am, etc.,

MORIAH JAMES

skervinjames@hotmail.com

Farm District

Spring Gardens

St Thomas