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