Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture, J.C. Hutchinson, is dismissing the assertion by Acting Agriculture Minister, Derrick Kellier, that there’s no food shortage in the country.
Minister Kellier has sought to assure consumers that there’s no need to panic, insisting that despite the prolonged drought, the reduction in agricultural production has not reached crisis levels.
Despite efforts by Minister Kellier to assure Jamaicans that their favourite foods will continue to be available, Mr Hutchinson is arguing that the continuing increases in food prices is a manifestation of a shortage.
Mr. Hutchinson was speaking this afternoon with Nationwide News as he toured sections of southern St. Elizabeth, that have been ravaged by several bush fires, amid the worsening drought.
Thousands of hectares of farmland in the ‘Bread Basket Parish’ have been destroyed by bush fires over the past few weeks.
Mr. Hutchinson says what he’s seen is a wipe out of crops.
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Mr. Hutchinson says because of the shortage of some food produce, consumers are getting crops of very poor quality.
J.C. Hutchinson, Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture.
He says there’s a shortage of escallion, thyme, onion, cabbage, callaloo and pepper in southern St. Elizabeth.
He added that pineapple and canteloupe are also in short supply in northern St. Elizabeth.
Opposition Leader, Andrew Holness, led today’s tour of sections of southern St. Elizabeth, covering communities in Tryall, Dalton, Flagaman and Hopewell.
