Saluting our farmers

THE DENBIGH Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show is the oldest, largest and most dynamic Agricultural Show in the English-speaking Caribbean and the Western Hemisphere, and one of Jamaica’s most iconic events. It was held for the first time in 1952 and since then has reminded us each year of what we have achieved in agriculture and its related sectors.

The Denbigh Show has enjoyed success as the Caribbean’s premier agricultural event as it epitomises wholesome family entertainment and seeks to attract over 80,000 patrons and 1,000 exhibitors to the event annually. The show has

become a benchmark for showcasing agriculture and is a culmination of Parish Agricultural Shows islandwide. In essence, the Denbigh Show is the perfect platform for patrons and participants to become exposed to modern trends in agriculture and its related industries. The Denbigh Show will be staged by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF), with our partners Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Jamaica

4H Clubs and Title Sponsors: HiPro, Digicel, Delta Supply Company and Jamaica Social Investment Fund, other major sponsors to include Development Bank of Jamaica, H&L Agro, Agricultural Chemical Plant, Food for the Poor, St Jago Farm Supplies, RJRGleaner Group, Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC), Rum Bar Rum, Heart Trust/NTA and the Diaspora Agricultural Taskforce, and many others.

The 65th staging that is scheduled for August 5-7, 2017 will be held under the theme: ‘Grow What We Eat and Eat What We Grow... A Salute to the Farmers... Nation Builders’ on the Denbigh Showground, will continue to showcase the work of our 250,000 farmers and fisher folks. We estimate that the cost to stage this year’s show will be approximately $100 million and will generate over $1 billion of economic activities for the Jamaican economy and most importantly of significant benefit to the commerce of May Pen, Clarendon.

Patrons will once again be given the opportunity to experience; Children and Family Village, Denbigh Health and Wellness Centre, Youth in Agriculture Village, Tourism Linkages, Denbigh Symposium, Parish Pavilion Competitions, Livestock Competitions and Displays. Nightly Entertainment will include the Hi-Pro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza, Farm Queen Coronation Show and Digicel Rising Stars. All this is for a daily entrance fee of $1000.00 for adults and $400.00 for children.

The JAS and MICAF will use this year’s show to continue to salute the farmers of Jamaica for the remarkable contribution to the development of the Jamaican Economy noting the sectorÕs over 7 percent contribution to GDP, the increasing of domestic crop production from 491,000 tonnes when the Eat Jamaican Campaign was launched in 2003 to record production of 668,000 tonnes in 2016, the reduction of our importation of food from US$100 million to $60 million per annum over the campaign period thus saving our economy over US$600 million. Our sector and farmers have helped to stabilise the Jamaican Economy and in the fiscal period just ending increased the sector’s contribution to GDP from 6.5 percent to 7.5 percent. We, therefore, believe that the time has come to recognise our farmers as the lifeblood and the backbone of our economy; thus Denbigh65 focuses on their sterling contribution over the years as we further celebrate Jamaica’s 55th Anniversary as an independent nation.

On behalf of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and The Denbigh Show Committee we would like to thank our partners; Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Rural Agricultural Development Authority, the Jamaica 4H Clubs, all sponsors, exhibitors, agricultural stakeholders, patrons including our anticipated overseas partners, JAS management, staff, members, Associations of Branch Societies (ABS), Commodity Boards and agencies for their continuous support to “THE DENBIGH SHOW.”

We invite all to be a part of the Denbigh Show 2017 experience, as we honour our farmers and build the sector that will drive sustained economic growth and food security, sovereignty and independence for Jamaica Land We Love. See you at Denbigh 2017! Norman Grant JAS President