RADA, JAS fête Kingston, St Andrew women farmers

IN COMMEMORATION of International Women’s Day 2024, which was observed under the theme ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress’, the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) and the Rural Agriculture Development Authority (RADA) opted to fête women farmers from Kingston and St Andrew.

At least 144 registered farmers turned up at the RADA St Andrew parish office, 197 Old Hope Road, to be pampered throughout the day with massages, manicures, health checks, as well as health, pension, and insurance talks from service providers.

“The day turned out well,” was how Senior Social Services and Home Economics Officer at RADA, St Andrew, Brenda Green, summed up things. In what she described as a pooling of resources, the Jamaica Information Services (JIS), the Ministry of Health, the Jamaica Red Cross Society, Guardian Life, GK Insurance, and individuals delivered on a wide menu of information and gifts for the women.

Green admitted that it took a lot of time and resources to organise and coordinate the event, which was well received by the farmers, who took some time off from the fields to enjoy themselves. Round-the-clock, women could be seen alternating among the manicurist, masseuse, Red Cross station, smoothie bar, as others sat in on the talks provided by PATH (Programme of Advancement Through Health and Education) personnel, an expert on diabetes, and others.

Green pointed out that the activities for the day were designed to bring the women up to speed on issues some may have been neglecting due to the hours spent on their farms in addition to caring for their families.

“So Mr Bernard, who used to work with the diabetic association, did a super job, bringing awareness about the need to care for the feet, and a lot of the ladies were surprised to learn that they had been inadvertently neglecting and abusing themselves. The JIS and the Ministry of Health really came through for us with gift packages. The HEART NSTA Trust was very good and pampered them. Red Cross was super, and Guardian Life offered very helpful advice in terms of pensions and health plans, and a PATH team was also on hand to provide relevant advice. So all in all, it was really an exciting day between the women being treated well and also learning life lessons,” Green declared.

“The time short, and so it wasn’t as extravagant as we would have wanted but because we know the ladies work hard throughout the year, we wanted to show them a good time and do believe we succeeded.”