The Editor, Sir:

The article by B. St Claire Hutchinson in The Sunday Gleaner, October 26, page G6, titled 'Big Mistakes in Agriculture' is reflective and timely. The writer was essentially using our past blunders to challenge our leaders (and people) to seek a way forward. Not only did he point out the mistakes of the past, but also, he gave some pointers to the way forward.

It is this list of 10 recommendations (corresponding with 10 mistakes) that I seek to supplement and ask (Mr Hutchinson) to accommodate four additional recommendations/suggestions:

11. That our leaders/planners give much thought to storage. Too much of our surplus production goes to waste (mango, breadfruit, etc.)

Agri-business/entrepreneurship

12. That our leaders/planners carefully guide our people into agri-business/entrepreneurship!

How to establish and successfully run small and middle-size, agri-businesses, banking and money management ... so that farmers do not only grow/rear (e.g. pigs) but take production to another level ... and thereby offer more employment right there in the community ...We are taking it from pig-rearing (our own sows and boars) to processing for export, but additionally, we establish a jerk centre and sales outlet right there. This is an all-day all-night business ... people working on shifts ... no room for thieves neither internally nor from outside, not too many of the same in proximity. I have mentioned pig-rearing only as an example. What of cattle, goat, rabbit, chicken, tomato, pumpkin, potato, yam, guava, etc?

We have some large properties, such as Great Valley in Hanover, that are underutilised! Can't Government lease them and make them available for large-size people projects? (Forget about socialism or capitalism ... Both have failed ... Think about peopleism in the context of mussity. Things must happen for the people to survive.

Real challenge

Perhaps this could be our grand moment to survive and excel in the context of 'must' ... mussities. The real challenge is, do we have the leadership for the future?

13. Give special thought to utilising, storing, canning and exporting our gifts from God Himself ... mango and breadfruit.

14. Establish first-class outlet centres across the island, so that the excesses of Parish A can be readily available in Parish B. Perhaps, just perhaps, these crunch times are our opportunities. But for God's sake, do not import any foreign capitalist to eat the fruits and give us the seed to suck, for that's not how you succeed.

I am neither a trained farmer nor entrepreneur but write from the perspectives of years of experience, insight, perception and deep concern.

I am, etc.,

HERBERT L. BROWN, JP

P.O. Box 344

Mandeville

Manchester