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PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica

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Production in Tonnes<br />

demand in rural areas, and to facilitate the integration <strong>of</strong> less-favored rural areas into<br />

national and international economies.<br />

The intuitive link between agriculture and the tourism industry in <strong>Jamaica</strong> has not<br />

materialized to the extent expected. The key issue cited is reliability – the ability to<br />

provide product on demand and at the quality and price demanded. This has been blamed<br />

on the poor condition <strong>of</strong> farm roads, and the lack <strong>of</strong> adequate storage, warehousing,<br />

packaging facilities, and modern logistics techniques. However the same constraints that<br />

challenge local agriculture’s ability to supply the hotel industry are the same constraints<br />

that create artificial gluts and shortages on the local market leading to depressed prices<br />

and low returns for farmers. Local market integration or the ability <strong>of</strong> farmers to sell<br />

their produce competitively across the length and breadth <strong>of</strong> <strong>Jamaica</strong> requires good<br />

infrastructure and effective market institutions.<br />

Figure 9.5. Agricultural Production by Parish<br />

Agriculture Production in <strong>Jamaica</strong> by Parish<br />

120000.0<br />

100000.0<br />

80000.0<br />

60000.0<br />

40000.0<br />

20000.0<br />

2007<br />

2008<br />

2009<br />

2010<br />

0.0<br />

St. Thomas<br />

Portland<br />

St. Mary<br />

St. Ann<br />

Trelawny<br />

St. James<br />

Hanover<br />

Westmoreland<br />

St. Elizabeth<br />

Manchester<br />

Clarendon<br />

St. Catherine<br />

The most prolific producers <strong>of</strong> agricultural production would seem to be those parishes furthest removed from the<br />

major consumption centres and for which a high proportion <strong>of</strong> the delivered cost would be attributable to transport<br />

and spoilage factors, both key determinants in internal logistics. The agricultural production <strong>of</strong> St. Thomas and<br />

Portland, both rural parishes, is well below that <strong>of</strong> the leaders. The relative transport costs per 40’ container to and<br />

from these areas are also the highest.<br />

139

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