Boost local corn production to stave off effects of global trade war - Fulton

 

Immediate past president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, Lenworth Fulton, says while the tariffs imposed by the US on China might not directly affect the agriculture sector, he believes Jamaica will be affected indirectly. 

 

He is suggesting that every option be explored to keep feed prices from skyrocketing.

 

"I see where we could grow a 10,000 acres of corn. Corn have been tested in Jamaica by Pioneer seed company and sorghum has been tested here by Pioneer seed company as well, and it was successful. But we have to have the resolve and we have to plant them on lands that can be mechanized. So it is possible. 

 

"Well, the former sugar cane lands. They are now talking about housing for Innswood. Innswood could be used. A lot of the lands that are in Westmoreland, Frome, in South Trelawny, the lands that used to feed the Monymusk Sugar Company, could be [used]. In Hanover, you have major tracks of land that used to feed Frome. And all over you have lands. In St. Elizabeth, the lands that used to feed the Holland Estate, those lands are there and they are a grade one, agricultural lands with irrigation. We can put them to better use," he proposed.