Brief history of the JAS
THE JAMAICA Agricultural Society (JAS) was formed in 1895 under the instruction of the then Governor of Jamaica Sir Henry Blake, and is the oldest deeply rooted organisation in rural agricultural development in the Caribbean.
In 1941, the JAS was incorporated as a private voluntary organisation.
The JAS is an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.
MISSION
The corporate objective of the society as outlined in the mission statement is to ensure the protection and promotion of farmers’ interest through a vigorous
independent and financially viable organisation. In addition, the JAS seeks to assist farmers to gain access to resources provided by the Government and other agencies, and to enhance global policy initiatives in order to achieve economic and social development of the rural sector.
OBJECTIVES
The core of the Jamaica Agricultural Society in representing the farming community is:
To foster domestic agricultural production for Jamaican farmers.
Support research and development in new methodologies and farming techniques in agricultural production and output.
To encourage best practices in agricultural development.
To foster efficiency and effectiveness in agricultural production, output and distribution.
Support ventures in agri-business as a means of increasing value added within the agricultural sector. Benefits to membership The Jamaica Agricultural Society seeks to provide services that will lead to
further development of agricultural sector and to improve the standard of living of our farmers. They include:
Advocacy on behalf of farmers
Promotion of agriculture through parish shows
Denbigh Agricultural Industrial & Food Show
Parish productivity projects Eat Jamaican Campaign Marketing agricultural produce
Consultancy and business services
Farmers training programmes
TYPES OF MEMBERSHIP
Branch Membership
Provides an avenue where relevant information can be channelled to farmers with similar interests as it relates
to agriculture, with the objective of attaining increased productivity, and improvement in agricultural practices.
Allows members to benefit collectively from services offered by the JAS
Give external organisations the opportunity to provide services to an established/structured grouping.
Formation of Branch Membership
Formed based on farmers in close physical proximity to each other
Each branch consists of a minimum of 16 members grouping that forms a subsection of the Parish Association of Branch Societies.
Meetings are held once per month
Membership cost – $500 per annum
Direct Membership
Offers farmers and persons interested in becoming a part of the agricultural sector with customised and personalised attention to attain optimal production capabilities
Gives members full benefits of all services offered by the organisation and its collaborative agencies
Has the privilege to attend, speak and vote at meetings of the Parish Association of Branch Societies.
Direct membership cost - $1,000.