Dear Editor,
The recent devastation in St Elizabeth has shaken us all. Known as Jamaica’s breadbasket, its farmers have long carried a heavy share of the nation’s food supply. As they work to recover, we must also think about how the rest of the island can rally to ensure that our people are fed and our markets remain stable.
Clarendon, in particular, is well positioned to help. Across the parish are small farmers with varying levels of experience—some seasoned, some with idle farmland, and others who are new but eager to dedicate themselves to farming for the sake of the country. With timely support, these men and women could quickly become part of the solution.
What they need is not extravagant:
– Assistance in securing and preparing farmland.
– Access to seeds and starter inputs.
– Technical guidance through RADA to build skills and confidence.
This is not about competing with or overshadowing St Elizabeth. It is about standing in solidarity—ensuring that while one region rebuilds, others step forward to carry the load. By empowering Clarendon and other less-affected parishes, the Ministry of Agriculture would be strengthening Jamaica’s resilience, reducing reliance on imports, and protecting households from food insecurity.
In this moment, we have an opportunity to turn willingness into productivity and to show that food security is truly a national effort.
I am,
Shamona McBean, JP
Clarendon Farmer
