The Editor, Sir:

Increasingly the need to engage in backyard farming is becoming more of a necessity, because of the worsened state of our economy, fuelled in part by recession and external international forces.

It is in light of this that a farming project, which is the brainchild of senior citizens in the Daytona area of St Catherine, was established to help cushion their economic circumstance.

This particular venture is noteworthy for two specific reasons: it has generated interest and attracted youth living in the immediate area, who would otherwise be idle and prospects for mischief, to engage in farming activity, not just for personal consumption but also to enhance their economic circumstance by allowing them to earn financially and sustain themselves and it also serves as a training ground for adoption of a positive attitude and approach which may be applied to everyday life experience.

Farming is by no means an easy task, as most people might seem to think. One has to be committed, tenacious and consistent in their care of the crops they seek to grow and these citizens, both young and old, have done just that, and, in the process, have reaped pumpkins, tomatoes and other vegetables, successfully.

I have always supported the suggestion made by the minister of agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Christopher Tufton, that homeowners should explore backyard farming. This meaningful and rewarding engagement by the citizens of Daytona has proven that it is a workable solution for these challenging times.

Present crisis

The economic challenges we face are by no means illusionary, and is not a concoction of rival political parties seeking cheap political points and advantage; it is a reality and can be devastating to a small island such as ours and therefore it is incumbent on us to think outside of the box, and create solutions to deal with our present crisis.

It is important, therefore, that we think ahead of the curve, be proactive visionaries in our own right and embrace the concept of self-reliance and food security by engaging in activities as backyard farming as the Daytona community has successfully demonstrated.

I am, etc.,

ERROL McLeish

ermarlii16@hotmail.com

Daytona, Greater Portmore

St Catherine