THE AGRICULTURAL BACKGROUND OF JAMAICA

Jamaicans Blue Mountains
http://www.splendidtable.org/story/rohan-marley-farming

LAND

The land of Jamaica is made up of mountains and plateaus that make up much of its length. 

Few rivers are navigable for long distances because of the rapid decent of the mountainous land. 

http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/namerica

Agriculture

Agriculture continues to be one of the bases of the island’s economy. The main crop of the island is sugarcane. The second and third main crop is molasses and rum. Fruits like coconuts, bananas, and oranges are some important. The Jamaican government encourages afforestation. Fishing is a major enterprise, supporting thousands of people. Pedro Bank is a main fishing land in southwest Jamaica. 

Manufacturing 

The main products of manufacturing is processed foods such as sugar and rum, textiles, and metal. Printing, chemicals, and cement and clay products are also notable. For all of their energy, Jamaica imports petroleum. Hydroelectric resources and the burning of bagasse (sugarcane residue) generate smaller amounts of electricity. Generators, partly owned by the government, supply most of the electric power. 

Services

Finance, tourism, and other services are important components of the island’s economy. The largest source of foreign exchange is tourism, it accounts for 70% of GDP. Jamaica is famous for its pleasant climate, fine beaches, and superb scenery, including the majestic Blue Mountains. 

Some of the main companies operational in Jamaica include Jamaica Fibreglass, Millwood Industries Ltd, Caldoors, Jamaica Producers Group LTD and Red Stripe Beer. http://www.commonwealthofnations.org/sectors-jamaica/business/industry_and_manufacturing/ 

Economy 

 Jamaica relies heavily on tourism and remittances. Its economy slowed down after the September 11th terrorists attacks in the United States stunted its economic growth. in 2003, Jamaican economy picked up after one of the best tourism seasons on the record. Jamaica's long-term economic issues involve having high interests rates, increased foreign competition, merchandise trade deficit, large-scale un-employment, and continuously growing internal debt. All those are results from government bailouts. 

http://digjamaica.com/blog/2013/05/15/crime-in-jamaica-january-to-april-2013/

Depressed economic conditions have led to increased civil unrest, including gang violence fueled by the drug trade. The government faces problems maintaing debt payments and trying to attack a growing and serious crime problem that is tampering with the government. 

Ewin James writes, "For Jamaica to achieve economic growth, its leaders and people must understand what economic growth is, the obstacles to it, and must be prepared remove the obstacles. For, until the obstacles are identified and removed, Jamaica will continue to go around in circles." http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/Jamaica-and-economic-growth_15614613