Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr (centre, back row) takes photo with awardees at The Agriculturalist’s Distinguished Women’s Awards on Friday, April 22, 2022.  Others from left are Patrick Maitland, Publisher and Editor, The Agriculturalist Newspaper; Bevene Martin-Dickenson, Outstanding Agricultural Extension Leader; Kateisha Allen, Most Outstanding Young Farmer; and Apiculturist; Marcus Richards, Managing Director, Hardware and Lumber Ltd.  Others at front from left are Donna Marie McPherson, Most Outstanding Woman Farmer; Oliver Downer Walsh, Most Outstanding Agri-Inputs Distributor; Dr Gabrielle Young, Most Outstanding Veterinarian; Merlyn McAnuff, Most Outstanding Woman Farmer; and Tanika O’Connor-Dennie, Most Outstanding Livestock Nutritionist.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, says that agriculture’s noteworthy impact is due in part to the significant contribution of women.

“It is critical for us to know that despite all of the statistics we would have heard, women are involved in every aspect of agriculture,” said Charles Jr.

He was speaking at the Agriculturalist’s Distinguished Women Awards held on Friday, April 22, 2022 in St. Andrew.

At least 20 per cent of the beneficiaries of programmes under the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries include women, youth and persons with disabilities. This forms part of the Ministry’s strategic objective to increase the number of individuals within the sector from that group.

“The level of interest that we are getting from our women across the country in agriculture is increasing. It is increasing because it is a strategic approach by the Government to lift up our women and give them the opportunities,” he said.

Boosting access to agricultural lands by women was also highlighted by the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister as a priority item for the Ministry.

“As we seek to attract new entrants into the agriculture sector, the Ministry, through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), has sought to ensure that at least 30% of this target group (women) are selected as beneficiaries of initiatives such as the Production and Productivity Programme, Drought Mitigation, Farmer Field Schools, On-Farm Water Management, as well as other special projects implemented by the Authority,” stated Charles Jr.

He further stated that through the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), “we have ensured that 20% of government-owned lands will be offered to youth, including women (ages 17 to 35), for agribusiness projects”.

The Jamaica Dairy Development Board will also be streamlining some of its efforts towards supporting women in livestock. This will include a partnership with the World University Service of Canada Caribbean’s Sustainable Agriculture in the Caribbean Project, in the area of goat meat and dairy production.

Stating that the involvement of young women within the sector was also critical, Charles Jr. said that the impactful work of the Jamaica 4-H Clubs, the Ministry’s youth arm dedicated to nurturing the involvement of youth in the sector, must also be commended.

The awards ceremony, which was held in honour of Women’s History Month, saw nine women being specially recognised for their outstanding achievement in agriculture across several areas, from agro-processing, veterinary medicine to advocacy among others.

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