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Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, cuts ribbon to signify the official handing over of the Mazda 4x4 truck to the Hanover RADA office, on May 3. The vehicle is valued at approximately $2 .2 million. Looking on are farmers and staff of the Hanover RADA Office.
Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Ian Hayles, handed over the keys to the RADA acting Parish Manager, Ransford Barnes, at a ceremony held on the grounds of the RADA Office, on May 3.
Additionally, Mr. Hayles gave a commitment for some $9.5 million to be provided by the Ministry, $7.5 million of which is to be used to repair the RADA Hanover parish office, and $2 million to rehabilitate the road leading to the building.
The State Minister cited the level of financial investments being made towards agriculture in Hanover, and expressed the hope that this will reflect positively in the productivity of the farmers.
“With the necessary investment that RADA is making here, we expect some returns. There has to be an increase in production and productivity going forward,” he said.
Mr. Hayles appealed to Jamaicans to heighten their patriotism and always support the local farmers, while urging importers to ensure that the products they bring into the country are needed and are of good quality.
“Our importation bill is US$800 million, and all I am asking you to do is to start asking yourself some conscious questions; begin to ask yourself if the products are from Jamaica, because the importation bill has to go down…we cannot continue like this,” he warned.
The State Minister also called on farmers to adopt scientific methods in their production efforts.
By Bryan Miller, JIS Reporter
