Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), Hon. Audley Shaw, addresses staff members of MICAF at his Hope Gardens location, on his first day in office. Seated (from left) are Chairman, Rural Agricultural Development Authority, Michael Stern; Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson; and Permanent Secretary at MICAF, Donovan Stanberry.
Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon Audley Shaw, in lamenting the fact that there was too much idle land in Jamaica, said that he will be developing a master plan for putting these lands into production, in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation.
Minister Shaw, who was addressing staff members at the Ministry on his first day in office (March 28), said that it was an honour to serve in this capacity and that it will require a collective will for all the tasks ahead to succeed.
Noting that Jamaica’s economy grew by 5.7% per annum in the 1960s and by almost 12% in 1971, with subsequent reductions in growth in the years leading up to the 1990s, the Minister said it was possible to return to the days of 6% growth in the economy through greater emphasis on production.
“Let’s put idle lands into production. We cannot continue to have only 5% of the food required for tourism produced in Jamaica”, the Minister said.
Minister Shaw emphasised that the model for growth in agriculture has to be changed and it is important that investors are invited to engage in vertical integration in the agro industry as well as in the provision of irrigation.
He also encouraged the staff to pursue excellence in their respective areas, stating that each person can make a difference in improving the productivity of the sectors.
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