Patrons collect miniature plants at the official launch of the Urban Backyard Garden Programme at the Portmore Lions Civic Centre, St Catherine, on Saturday. - Peta-Gaye Clachar/Staff Photographer

Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has said his ministry will not work with private companies that are reluctant to support boosting local production.

Tufton made his remarks on Saturday while addressing the launch of the Urban Backyard Garden Programme at the Portmore Lions Civic Centre in St Catherine.

"We will look favourably on local companies who are willing to look at the challenges we face and invest in local production," Tufton said.

The agriculture minister said more inputs for things like feedstock for animals must be found locally as world prices soar.

He said where feedstock such as corn is unavailable, companies must support the Government's thrust for local production.

Tufton also lambasted local companies that have paid more attention to lobbying for duty waivers than building local production.

He later told The Gleaner that investment by local companies should go beyond importing the necessary inputs and packaging products for sale.

"Too large a percentage of our value-added products that are branded here and packaged here, are as a result of imports of foreign inputs," he said.

A few private-sector players have welcomed Tufton's stance, but say the move for companies to source more local inputs must be qualified.

Not viable

Dr Keith Amiel, manager of corporate affairs, Caribbean Broilers Group, one of the island's leading suppliers of chicken meat, said Jamaica's favourite source of protein might not be cheaper even if inputs were found locally.

Amiel said while there might be land to grow more of the necessary inputs, the cost of production to cultivate may be more expensive.

"The significant importance of stressing to grow more is not a cheaper source, but food self-sufficiency and to lessen our dependency on outside power," Amiel said.

According to him, approximately 250,000 tonnes of corn is imported yearly.

He explained that to grow 10 per cent of the imported amount, 7,000 acres of land would be required.

Christopher Levy, senior vice-president of Jamaica Broilers, said he would be willing to support the Government in any initiative that would reduce the cost of poultry and help to ensure food security in Jamaica.