UNIA leader calls for agriculture lands to remain with farmers

PRESIDENT GENERAL of the Universal Negro Improvement Association and African Communities League (UNIAACL), Michael, Duncan wants Jamaicans to ensure that agricultural lands are properly protected and preserved for the country’s future development.

At a meeting of the St Ann’s Bay branch of the UNIA-ACL held at the Rastafari Andahnet Centre, Duncan said that self-reliance remains the key to success and that one way of ensuring that the future remains bright is to make sure agricultural lands are available to those who are willing to farm.

Duncan noted that the demand for Jamaican products overseas means that agriculture has a bright future and called on the Government to assist farmers in meeting their needs to keep agriculture afloat.

Putting himself in the picture, Duncan said he heads a company that supplies products to over a hundred outlets across the United States, where currently there is a shortage of scotch bonnet pepper, gungo peas and sorrel.

He said that several other Jamaican products are needed in that market and that it was up to the country to make the land more productive and fill those gaps.

It is important for Jamaicans to capitalise on these opportunities as they can bring great fortune to the country, he suggested.

Duncan urged Jamaica to reach out and fully embrace Marcus Garvey, who, he said, left a strong legacy that should be built on to make lives more meaningful.