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JAS to Become Non-Governmental Organisation

By: , April 23, 2019

The Key Point:

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, has informed that the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) will be transitioning from a government to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) over the next two years.
JAS to Become Non-Governmental Organisation
Photo: Serena Grant
Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (centre), and President of the St. James Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris (right), listen intently to Centre Manager of the Georgia 4-H Centre , Nichi Ennis, at the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show, which was held in St. James on April 22.

The Facts

  • “This means that the JAS will have to stand on its own two feet, and it will have to make money, so that it can finance its operations,” the Minister explained, as he addressed the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show in St. James on April 22.
  • The Minister pointed out that the 125-year-old organisation, which currently boasts over 220 members, would no longer receive the annual sum of $100 million that was used to fund operations at the JAS.

The Full Story

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, has informed that the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) will be transitioning from a government to a non-governmental organisation (NGO) over the next two years.

“This means that the JAS will have to stand on its own two feet, and it will have to make money, so that it can finance its operations,” the Minister explained, as he addressed the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show in St. James on April 22.

The Minister pointed out that the 125-year-old organisation, which currently boasts over 220 members, would no longer receive the annual sum of $100 million that was used to fund operations at the JAS.

Meanwhile, Mr. Hutchinson encouraged farmers to view what they do as a business in order for them to get maximum output from the agricultural sector.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (right), in discussion with President of the Hanover Bee Farmers’ Cooperative Society, Winford Murray (left), at the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show, held in St. James, on April 22. With the Minister (from second left) are Member of Parliament, Victor Wright; and President of the St. James Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris.

 

“Farming cannot go on as usual; it cannot be the same old, same old thing. We now have to look at farming as a business,” the Minister emphasised.

“One of the biggest problems in agriculture is marketing. Farmers will come into agriculture and the first thing they ask about is the market. What we find now is that of the crops grown, higglers take the best produce, and the rest goes to waste. It is time now that we move to an area whereby we can market everything that the farmer grows,” he said.

Mr. Shaw said that the first agro-economic zone, which will be established at Holland in St. Elizabeth, will tackle that very issue.

The 2,400-acre agro-economic zone will be comprised of farms as well as packaging and processing facilities. The project is expected to provide jobs for over 900 persons.

Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (left), watches as owner of Just-A-Juice Cane Juice Limited, Melvin Jones, demonstrates the proper way to use a cane juicer. Also observing are (from second left): President of the St. James Association of Branch Societies of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris; and Member of Parliament, Victor Wright. Occasion was the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show, which was held in St. James on April 22.

 

The crops, when reaped, will be graded and distributed, with grade ‘A’ going to hotels and the export market; grade ‘B’ will be sold to the local market, and grade ‘C’ will be used to make purées, juices and other value-added items.

The Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show was organised by the St. James Association of Branch Societies of the JAS. It is staged annually to promote the work of farmers in Western Jamaica.

Last Updated: April 23, 2019

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