PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica
PIOJ Growth-Inducement Strategy - Planning Institute of Jamaica
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 />
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