Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke (right) seems to be sharing something of interest with 2002 Farm Queen, Karen Plummer (centre) from St. Catherine, and first runner-up Yakeisha Weir (left), representing Trelawny, during last week's Agricultural Show at Denbigh in Clarendon. - Contributed LINSTEAD, St. Catherine:
DESPITE THE hazards of bad weather over the past several weeks, farmers brought out their best agricultural products to the Denbigh Agricultural Show last week.
Parish manager for the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) in St. Catherine, Tony White, addressing participating farmers during a meeting in Linstead last Thursday, said one of the most striking features of this year's show was the improved technology and youth involvement in agriculture.
Mr. White said farmers were continually being educated in the right kind of technology for maximum agricultural production. He said RADA was happy that most farmers were making the best use of the technology for maximum production.
Ministry of Agriculture officials said the aquaculture display was also of a high standard, and was a sign that Jamaica was aiming at becoming self-sufficient in fresh water fish production.
Many producers of fresh water fish argued that there should be no need for the importation of fish, which was offering strong competition to locally produced fish.
The Ministry of Agriculture said the watershed production display also attracted a large crowd. That display taught farmers how to protect the island's watershed areas.
Several horticultural exhibits on display from St. Catherine attracted the attention of patrons at the show. The floral exhibits included anthuriums, ginger lilies and potted plants of a wide variety.
Meanwhile, regional manager for the Jamaica 4-H club, Linton Barnes, held the attention of the crowd with a market stall comprising various food and agricultural items produced by 4-H clubbites. The old fashion method of baking with kerosene tin ovens was a hit with housewives at the show.
