As Election approaches in my little island of SVG, I think of agriculture. Why? For so many years, agriculture has suffered at the hands of politics. Promises that turned up empty. Failures that have ruin lives and livelihood. Suffrage, to the point of being damned to death, has been the faith of the agricultural sector. This blatant disregard must not be allowed to continue. Enough and no more.
As I await my time to cast the precious ballot, I think to myself.... What of Agriculture? What really is in store for agriculture in the move forward? What can farmers and farm families look towards? What policies will be implemented to aid in supplementing a farmer's livelihood? I think to myself.
Whom shall lead them... A Goliath.....A visionary ... A risk taker .......A realist. ... A problem solver..
What else is needed? Most importantly, a plan of action. As with any nation, it is vital that enough food be produced to feed its own. That enough food be produce to be marketed...that enough food be produced to sustain an economy.
Yet Far to many farmers are leaving the lands. Leaving the lands because of lost hope, lost dreams.. To many farmers feel ignored and frustrated. As farmers are left out in the cold, prime agricultural lands are being sold or taken away due to housing schemes and hotel needs.
As election nighs, As ballots and votes are cast, let us consider these things for agriculture:
- Financial assistance packages to farmers
- Crop Production Programmes
- Better roads to farm lands
- Subsidies on fertilizers, chemicals and seedlings
- Access to training
- Access to regional and international markets
- Equipment services
- Stronger commitment from Ministry of Agriculture
- Investments from public and private sector organization
Think on these thinks...
A Better future, Brighter Farming
Sustang D. Fergus
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