John Hedden
The Way Forward?
So far in this series (see links to previous articles below) we have briefly examined various aspects of agriculture including its history, technology, and infrastructure, its viability, and the existing governmental policy. To date nothing thrown at the problem has stimulated anything, be it politicians, ministers, ministry staff, or the few brave farming souls who seem to end up 'eating dirt'.
So what is the way forward for agriculture and farming in the Bahamas?
We have no soil. We have no native mineral fertilisers. We have a raw limestone rooting medium. We have fresh water in limited supply. We have a good winter climate. As any fruit grower will tell you, we have hurricanes. We have loads of bugs and diseases. We have a consuming public with cultured beautiful nails, green with cash and, allergic to the very idea of brown soiled hands. That, pretty much, covers the physical environment. Oh, I forgot to mention the sunshine, plenty of it; we do, after all, cultivate tourists, and quite a crop. Though, like our produce, I can't vouch for the quality.
As for infrastructure and governmental policy, we have a very harsh climate with no favourable conditions to encourage any entrepreneurship, unless affiliated with the appropriate powerful entities. Marketing is hampered by our geography, and the native tastes tend toward name brands and imported foodstuffs. Costs of food production are really high, and genuine land tenure is pretty much unavailable to the normal farmer.
All of this tells me that sustainable agriculture, and self sufficiency are also pretty much a figment of the politician's imagination. Yet we hear noises to the contrary all the time. Agricultural production accounts for less than 1% of the country's economic output; and this tells me that something is very wrong. Pretty forlorn isn't it?
The only way forward, with any semblance of successful farming to take root in the country, is for the government to create a favourable economic and political climate for the agricultural entrepreneur, with the understanding that there is no such thing as either sustainability, or self sufficiency in the local farming sector.
With this in mind is the government going to put in place the incentives and the policy to genuinely encourage investment and application of modern techniques in agriculture? What is needed?
First of all we need a good and sound policy that plants the farmers firmly and legally on the land for at least 3 generations. Conditions can and should be built into any contract, and the option for a grant or purchase must be included at the end of the contract period. Remember the 'homesteading act' of the U.S. government. Remember the building ordnance of the redlands area of Florida? One dwelling for every 15 acres of farmland.
We also need a good solid policy to encourage the development of the small business model, which would necessarily include the small farmer. We have yet to realise that the small business creates a method of employment and reward that no mega development can provide. And the cost of investment per job created does not range into the $1,000,000 (million) dollar range. We have to leave our “Plantation Mentality” of employment behind and now become the planters.
The country must also equip the sector with an efficient and practical group of agricultural staff who are capable of assisting farmers with all aspects of production and marketing. In other words the ministry of agriculture must be ploughed in and reseeded, and replanted from the staff up; even to the minister responsible for the sector. What a crop?
The government must also be prepared to make an investment in the infrastructure of farming including, communications, access to farm areas, utilities education, and access to financial tools. Extension services must also be instituted, and must include knowledgeable and practical staff, fruit and vegetable trials and demonstration plots, the primary and secondary school system, and of course, a well structured programme in affiliation with the College of the Bahamas.
Concessions must be made to farmers, overcoming import and tax obstacles, that genuinely encourage investment and growth in the sector. Again conditions must be put in place that disavow favouritism and ensure transparency in the award policy. Strict monitoring must be the rule of the day. Other measures must include duty free fuel and 'energy' that will help accelerate the move towards mechanised and irrigated agricultural production by lowered costs. A spin off of equipment use will be the lower cost of labour intensive grow out, so assisting in reducing the farm gate price. All are financially costly, a minimum of $5000.00/acre start up, and so the government needs to create an environment where private sector investments are encouraged and partnered. This again requires the removal of the spectre of political interference from the programme.
The really interesting thing about this kind of scenario comes from the World Trade Organisation, the FAO of United Nations,and the rules and regulations for free trade incentives for developing countries, and, the implementation of environmentally friendly agricultural practices. International trade concessions can be made, and financial support is available for the design and implementation of 'green' farming methods. This kind of support can, and should be, actively sought by our “keyed in public service” on behalf of the Bahamian farmer. In addition, the well developed nations have an intricate system of agricultural subsidies that give the perception of cheaper food prices. For example sugar in the US at 11ć/lb has already cost the unwitting consumer 11ć in taxes. Food for thought?
Active marketing strategies must be developed and must include storage, transport, and product standards, including pesticide use, to ensure quality and consumer safety. Seminars between producers, the middlemen, and the consumer must be brought into play to develop a good dialogue. For some unknown reason the public service is the least public oriented of our institutions, and much prefers to operate hidden away in cavernous offices where John Doe can only hear his own echo.
As I have previously said the Bahamian government in general, and the Prime Minister specifically must take the bull by the horns over this policy issue and move from the subjective policies which exist today, well supported by and with overt political favouritism (at least that bit is transparent). This move towards an objective policy cast in stone will be open, accessible, and a source of motivation to the small agricultural entrepreneur. If the administration is serious then it must first remove itself, and successive administrations, from the basic framework of farm production by putting a genuine and effective policy in place that cannot be interfered with by the politics of the day.
There now exist a few special pockets of more advanced agricultural development, including greenhouse production at Lucayan Tropical in Nassau and, field production by the North Andros farmers around San Andros. However the vast majority of farms in the country still rely on the most basic practices which are essentially slash and burn. As a result production is inefficient and yields are minimal.
How do the farmers themselves need to develop a successful farming venture?
Firstly the farmer has to be realistic about the size of holding desired, thus seeking a lease for a land area he is capable of working; not dreaming about the big time, and money like dirt.
Secondly the farmer must realise the reality and effort needed to operate a business efficiently. Living out of a cheque book, or the money in the pocket, cannot build a successful venture.
Thirdly the farmer must ensure all the necessary tools are available, along with a sound and well structured business plan. Finance is essential and we must realise that for start up of a well structured field operation a requirement of some $5,000. per acre minimum is essential.
A good solid well rounded education in farming practices, maintainance, and financial management is also required.
Minister, by all means tell us again that “Farmers must become more competitive”; but this time provide us with the 'right tools'. An airy fairy, wishy washy, half hearted agricultural plan is not the answer. Words do not germinate into any useful harvest, but actions and policies might just sow the seeds of a greener Bahamas. You hail from the most industrious and independent island of the archipelago. Make your fellow islanders proud of their native son.
This is the second to last article of the series, but the final article will present an alternative view of farming and its history in the Bahamas.”The ironies of farming”.
Links to previous articles follow
Click each highlighted link for the article.
Part One (1)
Part Two (2)
Part Three (3)
Part Four (4)
Part Five (5)
Mr. Hedden holds degrees in Botany from UWI Mona Campus and University of Reading UK and graduated from Government High School, Nassau, Bahamas. He has experience as a Horticulturalist for the USAID project BARTAD Andros, Horticulturalist for the Ministry of Agriculture at CAS (now GRAC), and then extension services. Mr. Hedden is now trying to establish a modern demonstration fruit and vegetable farm on 10 acres of 'crown' land. He presently lives on Abaco and has worked with farmers there for the last 25 years.
