The Editor, Sir:

Cassava is being recommended to the nation as the staple to help out or replace rice or flour. I do not have any problem with the people of Westmoreland planting cassava, but there are other crops that should be planted too.

So I am saying why not large-scale planting of bananas to feed the nation when rice and flour become short because of global shortages of these foods, if that should happen? Banana can be made into flour too, and is easily grown in St Thomas, Portland, and St Mary. These parishes have high rainfall compared to Westmoreland and St Elizabeth which have low rainfall.

Banana exports

Banana has been exported to the European countries for many years, if it was not found to be edible, those countries would not have been importing it for so many years, until someone else kicked us out of the market.

So I am saying that the emphasis should not be on cassava alone but also on banana, cocoa, dasheen for St Thomas, Portland and St Mary; cassava, yam, escallion, onion, Irish potato, thyme, for Westmoreland, St Elizabeth, Manchester and St Ann; meat and fish for all parishes. It is important that the domestic food production be organised around ideas like these.

I am etc,

SAMUEL TAYLOR

P.O. Box 65

Manchioneal

Portland