RADA Seeks Private Sector Partners for Farmers’ Markets

KINGSTON — The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is looking to partner with private interests to increase the number of farmers’ markets being held across the island.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries-instituted markets, held since January, were postponed during the months of July and August to allow parishes to be totally involved in preparations for the annual Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial show.

While some markets have been held since then, mainly through private support, RADA wants more corporate entities to come on board to increase the number of events, and to have a full resumption in 2012.  The Michi’s Super Centre located on Washington Boulevard and the Praise Plaza in Portmore, are among the private entities that have hosted markets between July and November.

“Based on the good weather conditions generally being experienced island-wide, we are looking at increasing the number of markets …and hopefully (have) a full roll early next year,” said Principal Director of Field Services and Operations at RADA, Janet Lawrence.                                                          

“However, this will be through a private/public sector partnership, hence the need to stimulate the interest of the private sector to participate in the hosting of these markets,” she told JIS News.

For the private interests, she said that there are benefits to be derived from the sponsorship of the events, including sale and exposure of products to consumers, publicity, development of a close relationship with potential clients, and enhancement of the partner’s image as a good corporate citizen.

On Wednesday (December 21), RADA will be staging farmers markets in selected towns across the island, including at the Ministry’s Old Hope Road grounds.

Mrs. Lawrence is urging consumers to support the markets and take advantage of the opportunity to obtain freshly reaped produce of good quality at a reduced price. She is reminding consumers that RADA does not control prices at these markets as the prices are a function of demand and supply.       

The farmers’ markets were instituted in January to address the glut in agricultural production and to encourage Jamaicans to eat more local produce in keeping with the “Eat Jamaican” campaign. Due to their overwhelming success, they have now become a permanent fixture of RADA’s calendar.

Statistics from RADA show that during the period January 24 and June 29, more than $157.3 million was earned from some 54 markets. Some 2,369 farmers participated in the events, with more than 2.7 million pounds of produce sold.

By Judith A. Hunter