The PUERTO RICO Story.

Previously posted on my Facebook Page.

NEWS: “In Remote Parts of Puerto Rico, Hurricane Fiona Made Life Even Harder.” / “Can an Island Feed Itself?” The hurricane was in September and yet the storm’s effects remain, mostly evident in areas that have suffered disproportionately from natural disasters and government neglect. Have we heard/read this before, almost on a yearly basis?

       Yet although agriculture constitutes only about 0.60 percent or over $800 million of Puerto Rico’s gross domestic product (GDP), this industry promises salvation to the island’s 3.2 million population. So new visions of local agriculture are taking root. Currently the sector accounts for 15 percent of the food consumed locally, and still got room for improvement.

       Experts from the University of Puerto Rico argued that these crops—primarily rice, sugar cane, coffee, and corn—could cover approximately 30 percent of the local demand, particularly that of smaller vegetables such as tomatoes, lettuce, etc. and several kinds of tubers that are currently being imported.

       Top FDIs in the island come from the U.S., Germany, Spain and Canada—but they overwhelmingly favor manufacturing, primarily pharmaceuticals, textiles, petrochemicals, and electronics. And the government is into finance, insurance, real estate, and tourism as well. Hence, there is currently a debate as to whether or not agricultural production in Puerto Rico should be increased or reduced. 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷

PUERTO Rico’s agricultural economy has been stunted or prevented from growing due to a shift in priorities towards industrialization, bureaucratization, mismanagement of terrains, lack of alternative methods and a deficient workforce. Most venture in nearby New York City. PR’s geographical location within the Caribbean exacerbates these issues, making the scarce existing crops propense to the devastating effects of Atlantic hurricanes.

       Meanwhile, poverty rate is a staggering 51 percent. The poverty rate in Puerto Rico is much higher than any or all of the 50 other U.S. states, or double the 24.2 percent of the next poorest, Mississippi. Currently, inflation is at 6.10 percent; unemployment 6+ percent.

       Why the relative non-concern for Puerto Rico? Remember, Puerto Ricans was granted U.S. citizenship via the Jones-Shafroth Act of 1917, the year America joined World War I. In other words, Washington needed additional troops to send to war.

       These days, Puerto Rico seems like a mere factory for U.S. and European consumer needs. Yet the island’s agriculture could be developed—to at least feed its people during times of massive calamity. 🇵🇷🇵🇷🇵🇷

Visuals: BBC. Franciscan Children.