Climatic factors are very important in banana cultivation. Heavy windstorms, not
necessarily of hurricane force, can cause up to 100 % mortality as in parts of St. Lucia
when hurricane Abbey struck in 1960 and as happens in some parts of Jamaica almost
annually. In spite of the large loss from this factor little attention appears to have been
given in the breeding programmes to a more wind resistant variety.

 The British Guiana Rice Marketing Board has been the most important medium of re-
search into the breeding of rice and control of disease. Improved breeds have been intro-
duced, which have probably tended to be more disease resistant, but have not expanded
yields over a large area.

 Climate factors are the most important determinant of seasonal fluctuations in yields,
and flood and drought are often the most important causes of diseases. In British Guiana
weather conditions are extremely uncertain. In 1955, severe flooding destroyed approxi-
mately 30 % of the total autumn crop, and in 1957 a prolonged drought practically elimi-
nated the spring crop and reduced the autumn crop. In rice production, water control
is likely to have a greater importance in the future than are improvements in breeds,
which are already well advanced.

 The extent to which different citrus varieties have been grown has depended very much
on the type of market concerned. For instance, as larger proportions of total Jamaican
output have been processed rather than sold, types which are good for processing rather
than for fresh fruit markets have been developed. Research and the distribution of insecti-
cides and fertilizers are carried out through local processing associations.

 Perhaps the most important development in breeding has been the appearance of a new
fruit in Jamaica, a hybrid of the orange and tangerine, the ortanique. It has very supe-
rior qualities for travelling and for table use. Its appearance is likely to effect material-
ly the future supplies of the industry, and to give Jamaica an advantage over other citrus
producers.

 Diseases such as citrus canker and pests such as fiddler beetle are widespread in the
area and in Dominica. The once flourishing citrus industry suffered a substantial reduc-
tion in production and export between 1956 and 1959. The mortality among young plants
has been very high due partly to inadequate care and spraying. In Jamaica, it has been
estimated that between 1947 and 1954, 14,000 acres of citrus, mainly oranges, were
established, and that b3 the end of 1960 only 7,500 acres survived or were in a condition
to merit fostering.

 We can thus conclude, regarding citrus, that both the breeding of new types and over-
coming of some disease problems are likely to influence yields and supplies.

 Regarding vegetable and root production, there is little attempt at present to improve
varieties or control diseases, although spraying against common garden pests is probably
becoming more widespread. Experiments in other tropical countries indicate that atten-
tion to suitable varieties is the main key to efficient vegetable production. We can expect
some advances in this field, associated with more scientific production methods, but the
results cannot be guaranteed.