Montpelier Agricultural Show April 1

This year’s staging of the Montpelier Agricultural Show in St. James will take place on Monday, April 1, beginning at 8:00 a.m.

President of the St. James Branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Glendon Harris, told JIS News in an interview that patrons can expect many different displays.

“Persons will be able to access chemicals used for insects and pests, reaping material, chemical and organic fertilisers as well as agricultural produce ranging from the smallest to the largest,” he said.

Mr. Harris explained that it will be a teaching and learning show, with the main displays to be featured from the parishes of St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, Hanover and Trelawny.

“We will have the branches of the St. James Agricultural Societies in a competition for first, second and third places for their agricultural displays. We will also have all the major agricultural input providers on the ground. Farmers will be able to access all the inputs they need,” he said.

The event will also feature livestock, including small ruminants and poultry, as well as a display from the National Fisheries Authority.

“We will have day-old chickens as well as chickens that on the day of the show will be five weeks old. Livestock, cattle and goats will also be on display. We will also have live plots, which are displays where you can buy your fresh vegetables, like lettuce that is planted on the show grounds; patrons will get their produce straight out of the garden,” he said.

The event, which will run until midnight, will also have a full kiddie’s village with rides, a merry-go-round, and slides for the entire day.

The show will also feature a new display with hydroponic farming systems.

“This involves plants grown in pipes with the water and the necessary fertilisers in it, so that the plants can survive. We want persons to be able to see the practical aspect of that type of farming. Festivities will be all day and patrons can participate in different games and win prizes. We will also have a Farm Queen Competition later in the evening, marching band, bun-eating competition and the night show,” Mr. Harris said.

For further details, persons can contact the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) at 876-922-0610.