Dr. Tufton Announces Key Appointments in His Ministry

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr Christopher Tufton, has announced five key appointments in keeping with plans to strengthen the Ministry’s research, productivity and investment promotion capabilities.
Speaking at a press conference Tuesday (July 21), at the Ministry in Kingston, Dr. Tufton announced that Lieutenant Commander Richard Russell has been appointed Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Fisheries Agency.
The appointment is in keeping with his presentation in the 2009/2010 Sectoral Debate, where he disclosed that stricter fisheries regulations were being implemented to protect Jamaica’s fish stocks. Lt. Commander Russell will be responsible for strengthening the Fisheries Agency’s capacity to address sustainability in the sector, through the enforcement of the new regulations.
Dr. Tufton also announced the appointment of Dr. David Lowe as Project Manager responsible for the establishment of a post-harvest infrastructure, under the newly formed Agri-Invest Corporation.
The Corporation was created to meet the needs of farmers, exporters and agro-processors, through the provision of processing facilities, packaging houses and abattoirs, as well as provide the necessary quality control mechanisms.
Dr. Derrick Deslandes has been seconded to the Ministry from the University of the West Indies (UWI), to head the Centre for Excellence for Advanced Technology in Agriculture, which will set the agricultural research agenda.
Dr. Marc Panton has been appointed Chief Technical Director, overseeing the activities of the Ministry’s Research and Development, Plant Quarantine and Veterinary Services Division and the Fisheries Agency, while Patrick Lawrence is now the Special Advisor assigned to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).