The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

AGRICULTURAL production on Exuma is headed in the wrong direction, the island’s Chamber of Commerce president believes, with its ‘agricultural basin’ prone to constant flooding.

Addressing the eighth annual Exuma Business Outlook conference, Pedro Rolle said greater investment in the island’s agricultural sector was necessary.

While lauding plans for a new packing house on the island, Mr Rolle pointed out that farmers must first have suitable land on which to farm. “We have partnered with the Farmer’s Association and others to ensure that we work with, and assist, an entity whose goal it is to promote the agricultural product,” he said.

“What we have found as we communicated with the Farmer’s Association, in particular, is that agricultural production on this island is headed in the wrong direction. Despite the fact that we have more technology and greater resources, we’re still not producing more products. Neither are we producing them efficiently.

“The agricultural basins of the Mount Thompson and Ramsey areas to this day, more than ever before, are plagued by constant flooding,” Mr Rolle added.

“Whatever options are presented to alleviate the flooding, my perspective is we are fighting nature and, in the long run, I believe nature will always win. The commonage areas of Mount Thompson and Ramsey have alternative farm land.”

He urged the Farmer’s Association to appeal to the commonage to utilise hire land, and seek the Government’s assistance in ensuring land equitable for agriculture.

Mr Rolle said that while a new packing house was a good idea if the Government had the money to build it, he questioned: “What, then, is the benefit of a brand new packing house if there are no products to put there? First thing that needs to be done is ensure that farmers have a place to farm and they can farm year-round.”

Mr Rolle added that resorts such as Sandals Emerald Bay and the Exuma Beach Resort presented a “ready market” for local farmers.

“The benefit of a greeter investment in agriculture is far-reaching,” he said. “Today we have the labour pool. If we could only encourage our younger people to get into farming. If what they see now is the option they’re given, it’s not going to happen.

“If they see a real potential for earning a living they will enter. We need to give them that option. Exuma Chamber of Commerce is committed to partnering with any entity that makes this a reality.”