MRS. MARINA YOUNG

Chief Executive Officer (Acting) RURAL AGRICULTURAL DEVLOPMENT AUTHORITY

The United Nations General Assembly declared the year 2020 as the International Year of Plant Health (IYPH). This observation seeks to raise global awareness on how protecting plant health can help end hunger, reduce poverty, protect the environment and boost economic development. In continuing these efforts, May 12, 2022 – is designated International Day of Plant Health (IDPH).

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), in support of the National Plant Protection Organization NPPO) - the Plant Quarantine and Produce inspection Branch (PQ/PI), Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MOAF), is committed to the protection of the Plant Health System of Jamaica. Plant health includes the protection of plants and uses a range of measures to alleviate and prevent pests, weeds and disease- causing organisms from spreading into new areas especially through human interaction. In keeping with the National Plant Health Policy, RADA is responsible for providing complementary services to the NPPO and is responsible for implementing the following aspects of the policy:

• Training extension officers in improved methodologies to undertake general surveillance activities.

• Undertaking general surveillance activities.

• Training farmers in integrated pest management techniques.

• In collaboration with the Pesticides Control Authority, training farmers in proper pesticide usage and management.

We have demonstrated our commitment to meeting these goals through the designation of a special unit that deals specifically with plant health issues and assist in coordinating pest surveillance activities. In addition, RADA plays an integral role in the implementation of pest surveillance programmes and maintaining a database that can support the roles of our Agricultural Extension Officers in reporting these activities as well as providing data that can support policy decisions.

We believe in continuous support, sensitization and promotion of plants to our economy, health, environment and overall sustainability. We are committed to improving the capacities of our extension team to meet the needs of the current plant health system and mitigate the impacts characterizing climate change. This commitment is demonstrated through our partnership with the MOAF and the Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience International to introduce and train our extension staff as well as other stakeholders pertinent to the agricultural sector to include members from the MOAF, input suppliers, educational institutions, agro-parks, 4-H clubs, etc., in courses such as How to become a Plant Doctor, Crop Pest Diagnosis, and others. RADA has implemented and institutionalized the Plantwise Plant Doctor programme garnering additional bene ts in data management and access to resources cementing our interest in the sustainability of our crop production systems as we share the overall goal to help farmers lose less of what they grow to plant health problems

We are committed to working with our partners in the plant health system to secure our nation’s food supply and protect the overall ecosystem upon which all lives