Another Food Crisis Looms?

The Bahama Journal Editorial


Sadly, this so-called ‘great little nation’ of ours is utterly dependent on outsiders for most of the goods it consumes, with the one saving grace that for more than half a century, it has been able – thanks to an extremely vibrant foreign sector – to find the foreign exchange needed to pay for the goods it consumes.

Those days are coming to an end.

And as they do, there is today some dawning appreciation of the fact that, change must come and that, Bahamians must – as a matter of the most urgent priority – produce more of the food they consume.

Here we can also note that, the current administration is on record with a suggestion that, they have what it takes to get the agriculture question right in a Bahamas that now is so utterly dependent on others; and in a Bahamas where the cost of living by the day increases.

Here take note that, "BAIC Executive chairman Edison Key said the government has given the green light to make agriculture a success in The Bahamas."

Key’s proclamation is to the effect that he and the administration he happens to serve has a plan. As he puts it, "We want to turn that land over to persons who are serious about farming and food production. Our aim is to turn Andros into the breadbasket of The Bahamas."

What a wonderful dream!

But for sure, and as we have previously opined, a persistent call continues to be made to the effect that, more Bahamians should step forward and take possession of farm land that could be made available to them.

Evidently, as far as calls are concerned, this one is as good as any; and clearly, this is all well and good. Regrettably, however, if call is not matched by commensurate response – the call is left unrequited.

In addition, we note and reiterate our view that, this dream of a vibrant agricultural industry in The Bahamas cannot ever be translated into reality if commensurate public policy effort is not designed to find and attract suitably qualified farm labor to The Bahamas.

This we should resolve to do as soon as possible; and surely, therefore, those who command authority at the state level should take the lead in both educating themselves and the public at large concerning the clear benefits such a move could bring to this nation and to the wider region.

Information reaching us suggests that a food crisis reminiscent of one that took place in 2008 might well be in the offing; with implications and ramifications for countries such as the Bahamas that import most of the food, fuel and technology they consume.

The information we are getting comes our way from the United Nations. And in this regard, we can also report that we are relying on an analysis that has been written by William Neuman who reports for the New York Times.

In a recent [January 5, 2011] report, Neuman - writing for The New York Times – indicates that, “…World food prices continued to rise sharply in December, bringing them close to the crisis levels that provoked shortages and riots in poor countries three years ago, according to newly released United Nations data…”

Neuman continues by noting that, “Prices are expected to remain high this year, prompting concern that the world may be approaching another crisis, although economists cautioned that many factors, like adequate stockpiles of key grains, could prevent a serious problem…”

Here the resemblance to times past is unmistakable.

Yet again, as Neuman reminds us: “…At that time, high petroleum prices, growing world demand for food and poor harvests in some areas combined to sharply push up food prices in poorer importing countries. That led to shortages and sometimes deadly riots in several countries, including Egypt, Haiti, Somalia and Cameroon…”

A similar dynamic is also at work in the United States where food prices are also on the rise; with clear implications for the Bahamas and the wider region.

As Neuman explains: “…Joseph Glauber, the Agriculture Department’s chief economist, said that rising world commodity prices could be expected to have their greatest impact in this country on meat and dairy prices because they can push up the price of livestock feed.

“As feed prices go up, farmers often cut the size of herds, meaning less meat ultimately reaches the market. Beef, pork and dairy prices rose faster last year than overall food prices and are expected to continue that trend this year…”

The implications for us are therefore as clear as day: we must be up and doing in our efforts to produce more food and in the longer term; we must be up and doing as regards reforming the law so that the Bahamas can become more receptive and more appreciative of the role that labor can play in helping build a more self-reliant Bahamas.

January 7, 2011

The Bahama Journal Editorial

Bahamas Blog International

Andros Island Seen as The Breadbasket of The Bahamas

The Potential of Andros as The Breadbasket to Feed The Entire Bahamas

Farming clearly should be and will be the lifeblood of Andros...

North Andros to Feed the Nation

 

By Gladstone Thurston

BahamaSeaWeed@groups.msn.com

Bahamas Information Services

February 6, 2004

 

 

Nicholl’s Town, Andros – The North Andros High School came in for commendations from Agriculture Minister V Alfred
Gray in its quest to feed the nation.

North Andros High is “the model for farming in all the secondary schools in The Bahamas,” added Labour and Immigration Minister Vincent Peet, the Member of Parliament for the area.

“I am pushing to get additional scholarships at the College of the Bahamas for those who want to take farming seriously,” Mr Peet told students.  “Until we can elevate farming to the level of respectability where it belongs, then many of you will still look at farming as a blue-collar work for somebody else to do.”

Mastic Point Primary won the H Newbold floating trophy for excellence in farming, a programme spearheaded by North Andros High last year.  Red Bay Primary was second, and Bowen Sound Primary came in third.  All primary schools in the district including those in the Berry Islands participated.

Ministers Peet and Gray led a delegation from Nassau to the North Andros High School agriculture rally and exhibition on Thursday staged by the North Andros High 4H Club in collaboration with the agriculture science department.

Also present were Deputy Permanent Secretary/Ministry of Agriculture Ursula Chisholm, Agriculture Extension Officer Stephen Adderley, District Superintendent Harcourt Davis, Administrator Dr Huntly P Christie, and Chief Councillor Alphonso Smith.  Joel Lewis is the principal at North Andros High.

“(The agriculture exhibition) comes at a time when we feel that providing food for ourselves is very, very necessary,” said agriculture science teacher and 4H Club co-ordinator Rai Budhu.  “We hope to motivate you to strive towards self sufficiency.

“It is important for a nation to be self sufficient in food.  A country, which is unable to provide its own food, can be in great problems.  You can eat every day the things that are produced right here in North Andros.”

Agriculture exhibits at the school’s sprawling farms, adjacent to its campus, featured a wide variety of edibles – pumpkins, cassavas, yams, potatoes, broccolis, cauliflowers, tomatoes, grapefruits and nonis - the latest cash crop.

Chickens, pigs, goats and ducks are also raised as part of the programme.

Already North Andros High provides a Nassau-based hotel and restaurant with fresh fruit and vegetables.

“I see Andros as the breadbasket of today and tomorrow,” noted Agriculture Extension Officer Mr Adderley.  “While there is limited farming going on at present, the potential for Andros is as a breadbasket to feed the whole nation.”

Mr Peet said the government is going to do much more to empower Bahamians, “especially you here in Andros where farming clearly should be and will be the lifeblood of Andros.

“Farming is something to look forward to.  It is a profession, which pays, and you would be doing a very valuable service to yourselves, The Bahamas and the world.

“The farmers in Andros have been frustrated for years.  We are about to ease that pressure for all farmers because farmers need to be respected and given the tools to earn a decent living.

“This exhibition is a very good example of the importance and the value that North Andros High is putting on farming.”

Agriculture Minister Gray urged Bahamians to consider agriculture as “serious business.”

He pointed out that farming provides an avenue through which the country’s economic base could be broadened while contributing to the country’s food security.

He warned of the “almost total reliance” of the country on a single industry – tourism, “an industry that is very sensitive to and is always driven by external forces over which we in The Bahamas have little or no control.

“It is important therefore for us to expand the pillars of our economy to include the agriculture and fishing industries.”

Another reason for agricultural economic expansion has to do with The Bahamas becoming more self-reliant.

“The fact is that we as a country rely too heavily on imports,” said Minister Gray.

In its effort to motivate farmers, the government has put in place a package of incentives, which include the provision of farmland, assistance in land clearing, duty-free exemption on equipment, and loan guarantees.

Mr Gray said he will be recommending to the government the granting of ‘start-up’ money for persons “who are serious about becoming involved in agriculture and who are willing to farm for produce, which are in high demands.

“I challenge you, therefore, to become partners with the government in making agriculture and fishing strong pillars in our country’s economic life,” said Mr Gray.

“I can assure you that those who are willing to become so involved would find this government’s attitude very embracing and supportive.”