Agriculture and Fisheries Minister, Pearnel Charles Jr (left) takes a close look at pineapples being cultivated by the Montego Bay Community College at a demonstration plot at the Montpelier Showground in St. James. Others from left are Glendon Harris, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society St. James Agricultural Branch Society; Winston Simpson, Principal Director of Field Services, Rural Agricultural Development Authority; and Bishop Conrad Pitkin, Custos of St. James. The occasion was the 39th staging of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show.
Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, says the Rural Agricultural Development Authority will be retooled and restructured to better serve Jamaican farmers.
“We will be providing irrigation water, we are going to be retooling and restructuring RADA, we are going to be giving strength to the dairy industry, we are going to continue our Production Incentive Programme,” said Charles Jr.
Speaking at the 39th staging of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show, held at the Montpelier Showground in St. James on April 18, Charles Jr lauded the farmers and fishers for their resilience, especially during the past two years of the pandemic, stating that because of their efforts the country has seen double digit increases in the sector.
“Our farmers showed the resilience, determination, the discipline that allowed us to have the highest level of production ever recorded last year,” said Charles Jr.
Continuing, the Agriculture and Fisheries Minister pledged to “pump money into the farmers” so that the sector will continue to grow strong.
Stating that farming is a viable opportunity, Charles said the Government will continue to educate our children, and give support to educational institutions such as the College of Agriculture, Science and Education and Knockalva STEM Academy, and all agricultural science teachers.
“Jamaica, if it is to grow, will have to stand on the shoulders of the agriculture and fisheries sector, he said.
The Agriculture and Fisheries Ministers expressed appreciation to all the companies, stakeholders and farmers for their support and called for everyone to work together to build a strong, resilient and inclusive agriculture and fisheries sector.
