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Minister of Agriculture Pearnel Charles Jr. says a calm, calculated response is required amid the concerns about increased food prices and potential disruptions in the supply chain.
In a media release Thursday, Mr. Charles cautioned against making utterances about a potential crisis as that could lead to premature uncertainty.
He said the agriculture ministry has been working with stakeholders to identify alternative sources of supply while also advancing its own research and development of alternatives for animal feed, fertiliser and food options.
According to Mr. Charles, viable alternatives have been identified for critical inputs which will be affected through supply chain challenges.
Several projects are underway at the Bodles Research station to assist animal farmers.
Fodder banks are also being established using high protein local material.
These will be replicated to enhance the supply of feed material to farmers at cost.
Mr. Charles said the agriculture ministry is also seeking to source key ingredients for fertiliser manufacture such as potash, phosphates and nitrogen.
The minister's appeal for calm comes following a call from the parliamentary opposition for the government to do more to cushion the effects of the rising cost of agricultural inputs.
Local fertiliser supplier Newport-Fersan Jamaica recently disclosed that it might have to cut back production due to the rising cost of manufacturing the agricultural input and farmers finding it difficult to keep up with the rising cost of fertiliser.
Speaking to farmers in Guy's Hill, St. Catherine on Wednesday night, Opposition Spokesperson on Finance Julian Robinson said if farmers cannot afford to produce, the country may be left scrambling to import scarce commodities.
"There must be a plan to cushion the effect on farmers so that they can continue to produce because the crisis that the world faces is not just a crisis of high food prices, it's a crisis of food security," he said, warning that Jamaica could get to a point where it can no longer import goods.
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