In 2020, Caricom produced a report that the Caribbean region imported more than $10 billion worth of food items per year. Considering that most islands had historically produced their own foods, this is more than a tragedy.

Caricom began to set a plan in place to address this imbalance. Leading the charge over the past two years has been Irfaan Ali, the President of Guyana.

This past week, he produced a report that laid the foundation for lowering regional food importation by 25 per cent by 2025. This goal is to be achieved by increasing food production in countries with large arable landmasses such as Belize, Guyana, Jamaica, Surinam and Trinidad & Tobago.

A further necessary component of the plan is to increase inter-regional transport with a small fleet of cargo planes to move the goods from island to island.

Considering that the costs of imported foods have continued to rise over the past two years, there has been a negative effect on all Caricom member states, including Bermuda.

As a prime example, the price of grapes has gone from $5.50/lb to $7/lb.

Additionally, as many now seek more organic foods, this ambitious plan would provide meat, fruits and vegetables with a higher nutritional value.

We look forward to updates on this needed project.

The story of Chicken Little

One morning, as Henny-Penny was plucking worms in the henyard, an acorn dropped from a tree right on to her head! She had no idea what had hit her, however, and so she started shouting:

“The sky is falling! The sky is falling!”

Hosanna

It was interesting, if not amusing, to see the Opposition tripping over itself to heap praise on Curtis Dickinson two weeks ago.

Amusing, as from the day he was announced as a candidate for the by-election in Constituency 25 in 2018, the One Bermuda Alliance ran a very dirty campaign against him.

After being appointed as finance minister, OBA MPs and supporters had nothing positive to say about his financial policies.

“Many residents see the budget as very aspirational and one that lacks detail. It is likely the most non-specific Budget Statement ever presented. Where is the PLP’s detailed Economic Recovery Plan? It’s as though the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic was viewed as a ‘Get-Out-Of-Jail’ free card, for the pre-existing economic challenges facing Bermuda.” — March 5, 2021

As Chicken Little said, “The sky was falling in.” So, as with Jesus on Good Friday, the claim was “do away with him”.

Yet, suddenly, two weeks ago, the claim became “Hosanna, Hosanna”.

Hypocrisy much.

• Christopher Famous is the government MP for Devonshire East (Constituency 11). You can reach him on WhatsApp at 599-0901 or e-mail at carib_pro@yahoo.com