Portland farmers benefit from RADA open day

The Portland parish office of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) staged its third annual open day on Wednesday (February 23) at the Folly Oval in Port Antonio.

The event, which was held to sensitise farmers and the general public about the work of the agency and its support partners, featured displays of crops and value-added produce, farming goods and equipment, and demonstrations of techniques to boost agricultural production.

Among the participating partners were: Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Consumer Affairs Commission (CAC), Newport Fersan (Jamaica) Limited, Forestry Department, Social Development Commission (SDC), Hi-Pro Feeds; and the National Land Agency (NLA).

Vice President of the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Major Johnathan Lamey, who gave the main address at the opening, stressed the importance of food security in ensuring the welfare of the Jamaican people.

He encouraged the farming community to register with RADA, in order to benefit from the opportunities that are available.  He also implored them to combine their efforts to confront the scourge of praedial larceny in order to eliminate the havoc it has been wreaking on the agricultural sector.

In an interview with JIS News, RADA Portland Parish Manager, Ridley BadreSingh, said that a key objective of the event, was to highlight modern techniques in farming, with the hope that farmers will adopt these methods to improve productivity and ensure the sustainability of agriculture in the parish.

He commended the organisations and individuals, who cooperated with RADA to make the open day a reality.

CONTACT:  ASTON G. BAILEY

                    JIS REGIONAL OFFICE                      

                    PORT ANTONIO