Tufton

For the first time in over six months, the agriculture ministry has opened doors to the local market to facilitate the importation of fresh critical vegetables to fill the void created by protracted drought in local farming areas.

But Agriculture Minister, Dr Christopher Tufton, told The Gleaner that unlike previous years when the flood gates had to be opened, he foresaw no need to import agricultural produce to meet the increased demand for the upcoming Christmas season.

Tufton disclosed that in 2009, the country imported less than 25 per cent of fresh vegetables already grown on local soil, such as tomatoes, carrots, lettuce, tomatoes compared with the levels of imports in previous years.

No key crops imported

This was corroborated by Dr Derrick Deslandes, director of the Centre of Excellence at the ministry.

"We have not imported any key crops like cabbage, carrot and lettuce and tomatoes for a number of months," he told The Gleaner.

Tufton told The Gleaner that local production was up by 10 per cent in September, pushing up domestic production to in excess of 20 per cent for 2009.

The minister said the positive trends were reflected in a significant decline in the importation of carrot, sweet pepper, lettuce and tomato.

"Based on the projections, no imports will be necessary for Christmas," Tufton asserted.

He gave the assurance that adequate supplies would be available to meet the demands of the hotel industry, which is preparing for the winter tourist season, scheduled to start on December 15.

Imported sweet pepper

Notwithstanding the overall reduction in sweet pepper, Deslandes said an average of 140,000 pounds of it had to be imported monthly to meet the demands of the tourist industry.

Deslandes said technical officers at the ministry have had to go back to the drawing board as the greenhouses established to produce sweet peppers did not have the desired effect.

With production dipping in November due to a drop in quality and output, precipitated by the drought which hit the country for several months, Deslandes said the ministry allowed some types of lettuce and tomatoes into the island as well. He said the iceberg lettuce, a common form in Jamaica, had to be imported to meet the demands of the tourist industry.

Deslandes was in agreement with Tufton that there were signs that the market was picking up.

"We have been tracking the progress closely and have been monitoring the market to ensure that hotels and other key markets are being served," Deslandes said.

gary.spaulding@gleanerjm.com