(Re-)Making the Case for Land Reform in Jamaica

Authors

Tony Weis, The University of Western Ontario

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-2004

Volume

53

Issue

1

Journal

Social and Economic Studies

First Page

35

Last Page

72

Abstract

This paper aims to highlight the potential for charting a new trajectory for agriculture in Jamaica amidst the current crisis of both the plantation and small farm sectors. It approaches this task by combining theoretical arguments drawn from various germane literatures with critical insights from qualitative interviews with small farmers, government officials, and representatives of non-governmental organizations, building a multilayered case for land reform. The re-politicization of land reform is framed as the foundational policy change needed to create a more competitive, socially just, and ecologically sustainable model of agricultural production in Jamaica.