It is my great honor this evening to participate in this August occasion; that of your recognition of the outstanding performance of the Farmers from Coleyville.
I wish to extend hearty congratulations to those farmers that will be recognized this evening, and to further extend sincere thanks to you for your commitment, and dedication to Agriculture.
Agriculture is big business. It is the world’s largest economic sector. Current world population is around 7.2 billion people, and is forecasted to get to 9.2 billion by 2050.
Who will be feeding these people? Who will stop malnutrition and starvation? Who will enhance and drive food security? It is the farmers of the world, including our own Jamaican farmers, some of whom who are receiving certificates this evening.
Jamaican farmers from all over Jamaica, including Collyville are already playing an important role in agricultural development in Jamaica.
Agriculture contributes 5.5% to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and employs 18% of Jamaicans. It is actually the biggest employer of labour in Jamaica.
In Manchester here, farmers produce a variety of crops ranging from legumes to ground provisions.
Manchester is ranked as the second largest contributor to Domestic Food Crop Production; producing 7250 hectares of crops in 2010, yielding 108,000 tons of produce.
You are doing well with your Yams with 1300ha in production, Sweet Potatoes 725ha., Irish Potatoes, 620ha. Carrots 610ha, among others. Livestock production is also doing well: Poultry 138,900 heads, Goats 22,500 heads, Cattle 11,500 heads and Pigs 20,200 heads. I put to you ladies and gentlemen that even though we are doing well, we can still do better!
We have 17,824 registered farmers in Manchester of which 7000 were recently issued with I.D. CARDS.
I hope everyone here is a registered farmer, and that all of you have your ID Cards. RADA continues to work on getting ID cards to all farmers, and we are actively working on the 100,000 ID cards to be delivered free by December 31, 2011, promised by the Hon Robert Montague, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
But Let me say that ID cards are not the only thing we are working on right now in Manchester for you the farmers
- 1. F.A.R.M. Project
We are focusing on expansion and improving productivity of Irish Potatoes. So far 850 farmers are benefitting and are establishing 415 hectares. Loans are available at 7% to qualified farmers at the National P.C. Bank, not only for growing Irish Potato, but also for onion.
- 2. Greenhouse Project
We are supporting the construction of 14 x 3,000 sq. ft. houses.
- 3. RADA is providing support for Project L.A.N.D.(LAMP 2)
I would like to emphasize that RADA is prepared to provide extension services to all registered farmers, but farmers have to play their part as well.
The Ministry and RADA want farmers to practice agriculture as a business, becoming market oriented, i.e. producing the crops that are demanded, and improving production and productivity levels.
A starting point is to call your extension officer or visit your parish office and get registered. By getting registered, you can access the services of RADA through your extension officers.
You can access information on what crops to plant, where and when, how to take soil samples, how best to manage your crops to get the best results, where to market your crops, how to access loans from the PC Banks or credit unions, and generally what is happening in agriculture at any point in time.
Through RADA,you can get your business or marketing plan done.
Of-course, there are several other opportunities in livestock, green house operations, and general crop production.
I am therefore challenging all farmers to take advantage of these opportunities.
For too long farmers in Jamaica have not been given their rightful place. You are part of an important group toiling day and night, not just for your self, but for the population at large - feeding the nation, building your local community and helping to reduce food imports.
The food import bill in 2010 was some US $800 M. Irish potato alone was over US$12M i.e. over J$1B.
Ladies and gentlemen, what would it mean if we could produce all this irish potato here in Jamaica? Farmers would be better off, the country would be too!!!
As mentioned before, getting into agriculture, getting into farming is not difficult and I am here this evening to encourage you under your theme of cultivating spiritually and physically in Christ – to spread the message that Jamaicans are needed to cultivate physically this great land that God has given us. The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) can help.
We need more people in agriculture, we need young people, we need women, we need everyone.
Treat Agriculture like a business and you will grow healthy and wealthy, you will then be able to buy your SUV and will be able to take your rightful place not just in the farming community, but the international community as well. Take advantage of the services offered by RADA: Extension, tractor, farmers market ( 4-5 markets to be operated on December 21), among others.
Let me again say thanks to Mrs Walker for inviting me to share this occasion. I wish all the recipients well in all their future endeavours. I leave you with high expectations of your continued commitment and dedication to agriculture,and that will will strive to make this parish, my parish the leading agricultural parish in Jamaica.
Again, congratulations to you all on being a part of this very special event.
