JAS President Calls on Jamaicans to Build Rural Economy

A call has been made for persons to contribute to the building of the rural economy, by  President of  the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS),  Senator Norman Grant.

The President pointed out that  this sector  possesses huge opportunities and is awaiting expansion.
Speaking at the annual general meeting of the JAS, held in May Pen, Clarendon, on July 9,  Senator Grant said the Society is resolute in advancing the agenda for the development of rural Jamaica, which should provide a better quality of life for the people.

“Gone are the days when we believe that to get progress you have to leave country and go to town. The JAS is seeking to reverse that philosophy. In the rural areas there is an economy that is waiting to expand the growth and development of Jamaica. We want more of our people to stay in the country and advance the production agenda,”  he emphasized.

Highlighting a $14 million Ministry of Labour and Social Security-supported programme, through which 1,500 farmers in 10 parishes received training in poultry management, pig and cattle rearing, and a Food for the Poor donation of 30,000 pounds of red peas to farmers for planting in all parishes, Senator Grant said farming is steadily being repositioned.

“We will continue to leave an indelible mark in the lives of our farming communities, and ensure that there is a repositioning of the rural economy and a better standard of living for the rural economy and the nation’s farmers,” the President told the audience.

The organization signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with COK Sodality Cooperative Credit Union, for the establishment of a pension scheme for farmers, and also officially launched the JAS Farm School, situated at the Denbigh Showground, in May Pen.

Some 25 students have graduated from the school, after being trained in  several  disciplines, in conjunction with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

“The farm school is here to stay. We are building a curriculum and educating our farmers in a big way,” Senator Grant said.