Eat What We Grow...the truth is that although policymakers have been advocating the 'Eat What We Grow' concept for many years, the message has not been fully absorbed by majority of Jamaicans. Successive administrations have not done enough to articulate the benefits of eating locally grown produce. But it is time to close the gap between the rhetoric and the reality.

Earlier this year, the World Bank warned developing countries to brace themselves for a long period of volatility triggered by a slowdown of the global economy, the lingering crisis in the Eurozone, and high oil prices.

Adding complexity to this dire outlook is the fact that the United States is experiencing its worst drought in 50 years and poor yields from the Black Sea breadbasket have caused the price of corn, wheat and soybean to soar.

The World Bank has recommended that countries like Jamaica concentrate on medium-term development strategies as they prepare to meet the tough times ahead. As recent as Thursday, members of local small and medium-size enterprises took to the airwaves to complain about the strain high gasolene prices were having on their businesses, thus threatening their viability. As one scans the business horizon, there is no sense that the administration recognises the potential in this group to expand and drive economic growth.

There has not been the necessary investment in agriculture to give the sector the profile of a worthwhile endeavour. But we must also acknowledge that one of the factors inhibiting investment in agriculture is the scourge of praedial larceny. Law enforcement is not as aggressive as it should be in identifying these thieves and putting them out of business.

So what should the individual response to this food alert be?... Are there lessons that have been learnt from past initiatives? Are the virtues of self-reliance passé? Have we encouraged enough people to start kitchen gardens, or delve into container planting, or even rooftop gardens?

Gleaner Editorial Link:
http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20120901/cleisure/cleisure1.html

Organic Food and Farming in Jamaica...Surveys indicate Jamaicans are willing to pay up to 40% more for organic produce. Restaurants, hotels and supermarkets also said they would like to increase their retail sales or usage of organic produce but complained about price and reliability of supplies.

Video Link:
http://wellnessguidesja.hubpages.com/hub/Organic-food-and-farming-in-Jamaica