Danishka Williams | Current policies are threat to farmers and food security

The recent announcement by the Government to review and potentially reduce duties on imported food raises significant concerns for our local farmers, particularly my farmers of South West St Ann.

While the prime minister insists that these measures will not harm our farmers, the reality is that such policies have the potential to undermine local agricultural production, increase our dependence on imports, and negatively impact the very people who work tirelessly to feed this nation.

South West St Ann is home to some of Jamaica’s most dedicated farmers, producing a wide range of crops that supply markets across the country. If imported food floods the local market at artificially lower prices due to reduced duties, our farmers will struggle to compete, leading to declining revenues, decreased production, and potentially, the abandonment of farms. This is not just an economic issue. It is a threat to our food security and rural livelihoods.

The People’s National Party (PNP) will seek to take a different approach, one that prioritises our farmers and ensures a sustainable agricultural sector that benefits both producers and consumers. As outlined by our party leader in his Budget presentation, the PNP will:

1. Reduce the food import bill by 25 per cent over five years by investing in local production, ensuring that we produce more of what we consume in Jamaica.

2. Establish Special Economic Zones for agriculture to focus on export-led production, allowing our farmers to earn more from international markets.

3. Provide financial support through an Agricultural Development Fund, funded by reallocating 1 per cent of food import taxes — approximately $2.5 billion annually — to help farmers with inputs, technology, and expansion.

4. Improve irrigation systems and reduce post-harvest losses, increasing productivity and profitability for farmers.

5. Strengthen linkages between farmers and key sectors like tourism and hospitality, ensuring that more locally grown food is used in hotels and restaurants and reducing reliance on imported products.

In addition to these national policies outlined by the party, I am proposing

- Hydroponic farming projects: Traditional farming is heavily impacted by unpredictable weather and soil conditions. By investing in hydroponic farming systems, we can ensure that farmers grow crops year-round, increase yields, and use water more efficiently. Hydroponics will allow greater control over plant nutrition, better pest management, and higher-quality produce for both local consumption and export.

- Solar-powered cold storage facilities: One of the biggest challenges our farmers face is post-harvest losses due to a lack of proper storage. Solar-powered cold storage units will allow farmers to store their produce longer, reduce waste, and negotiate better prices instead of being forced to sell quickly at low margins.

- Improved road infrastructure: Our farmers cannot get their goods to market efficiently without proper roads. I will advocate for rural road improvements to ensure safer, faster transportation of goods and lower transportation costs.

- Agri processing and value-added production: Instead of just selling raw produce, our farmers must have opportunities to process and package their goods for higher profits. I will work to bring small-scale agro-processing facilities to South West St Ann, ensuring that our farmers earn more from what they grow.

AT WHAT COST?

The Government’s decision to reduce import duties may lower the cost of some imported goods in the short term, but at what long-term cost to our farmers and our nation? If our farmers are driven out of business, Jamaica will become more dependent on foreign countries for food, making us vulnerable to supply=chain disruptions and global price fluctuations.

We cannot allow shortsighted policies to weaken our farmers, our economy, and our ability to feed ourselves. We must ensure that the next government invests in the people who work the land, not policies that make them struggle to compete.

Agriculture is the backbone of rural Jamaica, providing jobs, sustaining families, and ensuring food security for generations. A strong agricultural sector does not only benefit farmers, it strengthens the entire economy. When farmers thrive, local businesses that supply them with tools, fertilisers, and services also grow. Schools, clinics, and community infrastructure improve because farming communities have greater purchasing power. A well-supported agricultural sector reduces rural poverty and creates opportunities for young people to see farming as a viable career.

Investing in agriculture means investing in the future of Jamaica, ensuring that we can feed ourselves, reduce our dependence on imports, and build a nation that stands on the strength of its production.

To revitalise agriculture and secure its future, we must create pathways for young people to see farming as a viable and rewarding career. By integrating modern techniques such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and precision farming, we can transform agriculture into a high-tech, data-driven industry that aligns with the interests of a younger, tech-savvy generation. Encouraging entrepreneurship in agribusiness, providing grants and low-interest loans for youth-led farming ventures, and incorporating agricultural technology training in schools will help bridge the generational gap in the sector. When young people see that farming can be both profitable and innovative, they will be more inclined to invest their skills and creativity into building a more resilient and sustainable agricultural industry for Jamaica.

The People’s National Party is committed to policies that strengthen the agricultural sector, ensuring that Jamaican farmers can produce more, earn more, and feed the nation sustainably.

Danishka Williams is the PNP candidate for South West St Ann. Send feedback to danishkawilliams@gmail.com.