The Editor, Sir:

Now that the constituency development fund has become a reality, it is of the utmost importance that we get value for our money.

There will be a thousand sug-gestions from the constituents as to how the funds should be used.

One suggestion that I would like to make is for the 60 MPs to install and equip a greenhouse in a school in their constituency, allowing the students to become familiar with this technology, especially in view of that fact that we are experiencing a world food crisis. One of the reasons why the youth are turned off from traditional farming - causing the average age of a farmer in Jamaica to be over 50 - is that it is outdated and dirty. Greenhouse farming is 'clean' and more attractive to youth.

I think that priority should be given to projects like water improvement and serious thought should be given to a joint-venture project. As an example, when bordering constituencies have a common problem, they should pool some of their resources and deal with the issue and their projects within their individual borders.

We could also consider the possibility of allowing individual or private companies who have an interest in food products to come on-board and donate a greenhouse to a school and in turn, use whatever is produced.

I am, etc.,

G. TOWNSHEND

neighbourhood70@hotmail.com

Downs District,

Watson's Hill PO

St Elizabeth

Via Go-Jamaica