Dr. Tufton says 4-H Clubs critical to food security

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Dr. Christopher Tufton, has underscored the pivotal and integral role of 4-H Clubs in advancing the Ministry’s mandate islandwide, particularly relating to food security.
Alluding to the organization’s growth, which had seen evolved into a movement with 70,000 registered clubbites attached to some 550 clubs, the Minister contended that the 4-H movement is one of agency the Ministry can be depend on to carry the message of agriculture, discipline and hard work “across the length and breadth of Jamaica”.
He was addressing the 4-H Clubs 70th anniversary gala reception, at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday (December 7).

Executive Director, Jamaica 4-H Clubs, Lenworth Fulton (left), presents a gift basket to Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President, Nadine Molloy, after she delivered the main address at the organization’s 70th anniversary gala reception at the Knutsford Court Hotel, New Kingston, on Tuesday (December 7).

In commending the 4-H movement’s achievements, Dr Tufton noted its input in the establishment of over 600 school garden programmes, which he cited as key to the Ministry’s thrust towards attaining food security.
“Over the past couple of years, we have spent a lot of time focusing on food security as an important thrust, because we feel that, as a country, we are blessed with the environmental conditions (and) industriousness of our people and, therefore, can combine these to create our own opportunities, as they relate to food security,” he said.
He highlighted the school garden programme as one important avenue to help young Jamaicans appreciate how to apply themselves and apply a discipline.
“And, once you get that discipline, you can apply it to every other area of your life, as a youngster and certainly, eventually, as an adult,” the Minister said.
He thanked the leadership and the teachers in the institutions for taking on the responsibility of coordinating the gardens developed in the programme.
Dr. Tufton said the Government’s vision for the 4-H movement was an organization that strives for excellence, by identifying areas of opportunities which it can take advantage of. Commending various displays by members at 4-H events, he also cited the need for their conversion into viable business pursuits.
“We need to see some conversions from samples to main stream markets, because I believe you have the formula. I think you could, actually, be a transforming agent in that respect, as it relates to some of the great things that you produce using local input,” Dr. Tufton encouraged. He said this could also be achieved by collaborating with critical stakeholder partners.
“From the perspective of this government, and certainly from me, as Minister, our support is fully with you and (will) continue to be so,” Dr. Tufton said.
Guest speaker at the function, Jamaica Teachers’ Association (JTA) President, Nadine Molloy, also commended the 4H movement, noting the role it has played in advancing education.
“Your commitment to making a difference across Jamaica, especially in our rural parishes, is really what gives hope to some of our people. We thank you for standing up for Jamaica, time and time again,” Ms. Molloy said.
Over 60 volunteers, parish leaders, employees, and corporate stakeholders, were presented with awards for their contribution to the 4-H movement. These included: Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Donovan Stanberry, who got an Outstanding Volunteerism (Certificate of Recognition) Award; Bustamante Industrial Trade Union (BITU) President, Kavan Gayle, who got the Chairman’s Special Recognition Award for outstanding contribution as Chairman of the 4-H Clubs Human Resources Committee; and Executive Director, Lenworth Fulton, who got a special staff award for sterling stewardship to the movement over the past decade.