FIG. 1. Agricultural progress yield vs. HP/hectare 1964-65 to 1970-71.
 Source: Giles, 1975


JAPAN


0




0
 0
0j


IL
Sau

0 t


Wo





4


 15 20 25 30 35
HORSEPOWER PER HECTARE 2)


ISRAEL


Characteristics of the Caribbean Area Affecting
Selection of Appropriate Mechanization
 Even the author's limited view of the Caribbean area leads him
to conclude that the characteristics of the area are indeed varied
and generalizations difficult to make. The following observations
are presented with this risk in mind.
 The crops of the Caribbean area are generally labor intensive,
either by design or by necessity. Most food crops are produced on
small farms as contrasted to large expanses of land found in the
larger farms of the midwestern United States. Many of these food
crops are difficult to mechanize, particularly in the plant
establishment and harvesting stages of production.
 The labor supply in the various Caribbean countries is highly
variable, but in many areas is frequently in short supply and ex-
pensive due to competition from industrial development.
 In some areas, mechanization of sugar cane was limited in the
past by public policy for social reasons. When this has occurred in
areas having strong industrial development, the sugar industry
has been unable to compete with other areas of the world having
either lower labor costs or higher levels of mechanization. The
result has been loss of the sugar industry and movement of
agricultural workers to non-agricultural occupations. Agricultural
lands released from cane production have frequently moved to


150


other less labor intensive enterprises like cattle production. Produc-
tion of other food crops like vegetables and fruits may be lacking.
These products are being imported at a premium price on some
islands with the technical capability of producing these crops.
 Many countries not limited to the Caribbean area are sensitive to
the need for better balance of import and export trade. Domestic
production of food crops can be a very positive factor in balancing
trade by reducing the need for food imports or by providing ex-
port products.
 Land in many of the Caribbean countries is expensive and not
highly available for expansion of small or medium sized agricul-
tural operations. Large land holdings are frequently long term in-
vestments for those anticipating future development for housing
or industrial uses.
 Many small land holdings are operated by full-time subsistence
farmers or part-time farmers whose major source of income is
from jobs in local manufacturing or service industries. In any case
there is low availability of capital for purchase of new land or ma-
jor items of mechanization. High interest rates make borrowing
capital for such purposes especially risky for the small farmer.
Part-time farmers frequently cannot afford to hire outside labor
and due to their other job commitments have limited time to
spend on their farming operations.


 PROCEEDINGS of the CARIBBEAN FOOD CROPS SOCIETY-VOL. XX