Denbigh 2010 to Showcase Best of Jamaica’s Agriculture

First Vice President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has said that the 2010 Denbigh Agri-Industrial show will showcase the best of the country’s agricultural sector, while promoting increased production and consumption of local foods.
The three-day show is slated for Saturday, July 31 to Monday, August 2 at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon, under the theme: ‘Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Grow.’
Speaking at a JIS Think Tank held yesterday (July 27) at the agency’s Half-Way-Tree Road headquarters, Senator Grant pointed out that “Denbigh is a consolidation of our enthusiasm and our total determination to say to all Jamaica that one viable option to take is to grow what we eat, eat what we grow and support our Jamaican farmers.”
He said that eating locally grown food is healthier and the initiative creates jobs and keeps the economy on a sustained path.
“We want to say to our stakeholders, policymakers and the Diaspora that it is critical as we build the fundamental foundation for growth in the economy that we return to building the productive capacity,” the Senator stressed.
In support of the theme, all 14 parishes will be showcasing the best of their yams, pumpkins, vegetables, among other crops, while competing for top prizes.
Additionally, there will be a farmer’s market, where patrons will be able to purchase produce from the parish pavilions. “We are saying to patrons that for this weekend do not go to the conventional market but make Denbigh the place to purchase all your agricultural needs,” Senator Grant said.
The Denbigh show will also feature the best of Jamaica’s livestock including rabbits, goats, sheep and cattle. Farmers will be able to compete in the livestock competition where they showcase their efforts in rearing the best quality and biggest animals.
“We will also be promoting the poultry and pork industry as we have seen where the poultry industry is now self-sufficient where we can provide poultry for all Jamaicans and eliminate the need to import any poultry in Jamaica,” Mr. Grant informed.
He noted too that the pork industry has grown significantly over the last eight years as the country is now able to satisfy in excess of 65 per cent of demand for such commodity with the aim to satisfy total demand in another four years.
“We are saying that persons should eat Jamaican not just because it is Jamaican but because it is quality products, we can provide it on a timely basis to the market and at competitive prices,” Senator Grant stressed.
The Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show is a hallmark event that has been embedded in the unique culture and the broad fabric of the Jamaican farmer from as early as 1953. The show is staged annually by the JAS as part of the country’s Independence and Emancipation celebrations.