Illogical to oppose the Bernard Lodge project

THE EDITOR, Sir:

THE PLAN to transform Bernard Lodge into a municipality has provoked the ire of the chattering classes. Critics are contending that this venture will encroach on prime agricultural lands, thereby jeopardising food security. Such declarations, however, are not abetted by logic. The genesis of the problem is that the agricultural sector is deficient in productivity and innovation.

If Jamaican farmers were on par with their global counterparts, then the import bill would not be an issue. Indeed, greater levels of efficiency would lower prices and increase crop yields. Contrary to what is presented in the public domain, domestic production without technical innovations cannot result in food security.

Further, the percentage of arable land available for agriculture is not a relevant point when discussing food security. Less than one per cent of arable land in Singapore, for example, is suited for agriculture (World Bank, 2014).

Singapore has been able to achieve food security due to imports, but this is not a major problem because the economy is quite dynamic. However, Jamaica is a poorer country, permeated by inefficiencies. Therefore, an excessive import bill is expensive for the latter. Unlike Singapore, Jamaica has the resources to significantly decrease its import bill.

Yet the inability to solve obstacles such as praedial larceny and low innovation keeps the sector backward.

The reality is that with the exception of Gassan Azan, most entrepreneurs are hesitant to invest billions in agriculture. Hence, if there is a demand for housing, then new communities must be built.

The completion of the Bernard Lodge development will attract entrepreneurs along with professionals to the area; thus accelerating development.

In addition, the willingness of local venture capitalists to create funding arrangements for agro-entrepreneurs could stimulate innovation in the sector.

In essence, it is illogical to oppose the Bernard Lodge project when there is no great desire to invest in agriculture.