Jamaica Agricultural Society president’s message
ON BEHALF of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and its board of management, we are enthused that the Trelawny Association of Branch Societies carries the mantle of staging the 62nd Annual Hague Agricultural and Livestock Show scheduled for February 14, 2018, under the theme ‘For Sustainable Livelihood, Restore the Love for Agriculture through Climate Smart Practices’.
The Hague Show, over the years, showcases agricultural produce and livestock, focusing on farmers in Trelawny and surrounding areas, highlighting their continuous hard work and labour of love that they put into the agricultural sector as the parish hosts 9,294 of the total register of farmers which accounts for 4.7 per cent of our national register of farmers. With the focus on highlighting the importance of agricultural sustainability through the adaptation of climatesmart practices, farmers and stakeholders in the sector should seek to learn strategies and the best methods for mitigation against potential disasters.
Last year, the agricultural sector suffered damage amounting to over J$500 million due to heavy rainfall and flooding.
As the voice of the farmers of Jamaica, the JAS continues to provide support on various opportunities for growth and the support systems available to achieve that growth in the agriculture sector. On that basis, we will continue to provide support through:
Advocacy Farmers welfare programmes Farmer technology and information programme (includes training initiatives) Promotion and advancement of agriculture Organising farmers in functional community groups Production and productivity programmes Marketing of agricultural produce
Major programmes and projects
We thank the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries and sponsors for the continuous support to the Hague Show and invite everyone to be a part of the agricultural experience at the Hague Show.
I also take this opportunity to invite you to our National Agriculture Show ‘Denbigh’ on August 4-6, 2018, and implore that you continue to support our local farmers by eating and buying Jamaican produce. NORMAN W. GRANT O.D, J.P President JAS