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Home | Minister Green Endorses Proposal for Staging of Agricultural Linkages Fair in St. James
Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon (right), inspects produce on display during the 41st Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show on Easter Monday (April 1). The event was held at the Montpelier Show Ground in St. James.
April 4 (JIS):
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, is supporting a proposal for the staging of an agricultural linkages fair in St. James.
The recommendation has been made by Mayor of Montego Bay and Chairman of the St. James Municipal Corporation, Councillor Richard Vernon, who says the fair would serve to enhance agricultural productivity in the parish.
Councillor Vernon, who said he is open to the Agriculture Ministry spearheading the event, pointed out that consideration could be given to staging the fair at the Montego Bay Convention Centre.
“This would bring suppliers and buyers locally and internationally under one roof, so that the prospect of access can be more realistic for those seeking to connect to the global markets,” the Mayor stated.
He was addressing the 41st staging of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show at the Montpelier Show Ground in St. James on Easter Monday (April 1).
Councillor Vernon emphasised the potential of a linkages fair to boost stakeholder participation in the agricultural sector as well as their outputs.
He underscored the importance of substantial improvements in agricultural productivity to drive economic growth in St. James and, by extension, Jamaica.
In response, Mr. Green, indicated the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate on such an initiative.
He underscored the importance of the fair in diversifying agricultural production, promoting exports, and servicing the growing tourism industry.
“I think the Agri linkages forum/fair would be a great idea. So let us work on that together [because] the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is here to support you,” Minister Green said.
Against this background, Mayor Vernon said the St James Municipal Corporation “looks forward to our continued partnership, as we safeguard Jamaica’s food security and productivity”.
