Agriculture “the underutilized tool” in the pursuit of economic freedom, Part II

BY WAZARI JOHNSON

In the last edition, we had a chance to explore the many avenues for people to explore in the agricultural sector, and the great returns that they can receive on their investment into agriculture. We discussed the options that include: organic farming, horticulture, aquaculture, conventional farming, bee keeping/farming, supplying farm tools and equipment, provision of services such as agricultural techniques consultation, farm labor, cold storage and transportation. We were able to delve into organic farming in Jamaica, and briefly touched on horticulture. This edition we will finish our discussion on horticulture, and take a look at another growing field; aquaculture.

Horticulture:

In 2017 when I was in Tanzania, an Ethiopian family invited me to a traditional Ethiopian dinner. The food was great, however, one pleasant surprise that stood out for me, was receiving a wonderful beverage that tasted somewhat familiar. It tasted like the sorrel drink I was accustomed to drinking in Jamaica. When I asked if it was, I was told that it was actually hibiscus; I later learned why the two tasted so closely alike.

Sorrel is a species of the hibiscus plant, which is native to West Africa. This plant, over the years, has been a popular plant among Jamaican farmers and is known for having medicinal and nutritional value. However, it is relative that we know that the “ornamental” hibiscus can be used for the very same purposes.

I was told by my Ethiopian friend that it is quite popular in Belgium and was surprised to learn that it is sold for a ‘pretty penny’ there. He was equally surprised when I told him that one of its most common uses in Jamaica was to create perimeter fencing between neighboring properties. My great grandmother used the hibiscus plant to separate the clothes drying area from the rest of the yard. It’s time to look at this plant and other ornamental plants more seriously.

Aquaculture:

This area of farming is usually understood as raising fish for the purpose of consuming them as food but there is also the area of ornamental fish farming.

In Jamaica, ornamental fish are mainly sold locally through pet shops and pet fish vendors on the street. The value of the total ornamental fish produced and sold locally is to the tune of $15 million, and there is room for more people to become stakeholders in this industry. This value represents 90% of Jamaica’s total production and the remaining 10% is being exported to other countries, primarily the USA, Canada and the United Kingdom. It is important to note that Jamaica has the potential to increase the export market to over US$10 million over the next four years.

These are just a few examples of how agriculture can be used to build Jamaica, create more jobs, increase our Gross Domestic Product (G.D.P), and address the issues of pauperism and to a degree crime, (which in many ways is systemic of the poor economic conditions to be found in many places in Jamaica).

As a nation, we must move from the foolish notion that, “If yuh use cutliss yuh agguh wutliss”; meaning, “If you use a cutlass (machete) as the tool or means of earning your living, you are going to become worthless.” The idea is common in Jamaica that if one pursues a career in agriculture, they are destined to a life of economic distress, but that is so far from the truth. When agriculture is approached properly it can actually create wealth not only for the immediate farmers, but also for the nation as a whole.

Thomas Jefferson, former President of the United States of America stated, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.”  When I consider these words, I must conclude, “This man was on to something, he was right on the money here.“