The 69th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show drew the usual crowd, who this year had the heat to contend with, but were none-the-less determined to enjoy all the offerings.
The event was hosted from August 5 to 7 at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon, and featured several activities, including the annual Farm Queen coronation and the Hi-Pro Denbigh gospel extravaganza. There was also a youth in agriculture village, craft village and horticultural displays. Farmers from the different parishes were out in their numbers and several companies took the opportunity to display their products.
Prime Minister Andrew Holness announced that approximately $300 million has been budgeted for the St Elizabeth-based Pedro Plains irrigation scheme which will see water being lifted from Black River to the Pedro Plains of southern St Elizabeth.
Holness expressed concern about praedial larceny, a longstanding issue, and assured that Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green has been tasked to find a “viable solution” to address the problem.
Opposition Leader, Mark Golding, paid attention to climate change as well as severe drought conditions and extreme temperatures being experienced both nationally and globally.
Among the major announcements, was the approximately £16.7 million funding from the United Kingdom Caribbean Infrastructure Fund that will allow the Agro Investment Corporation (AIC) to provide grants to small farmers through the Southern Plains Agricultural Development (SPAD) project. Holness said the grant will enable small farmers to access up to 80 per cent of essential resources towards their farming enterprise.
Meanwhile, the country’s Governor General Sir Patrick Allen, emphasized the need for continued focus on investment in agriculture. He also urged Jamaicans to support local produce as part of their contribution to a robust, prosperous, and lasting agricultural industry.