By Damion Mitchell, Farmers Weekly Co-ordinator 
Patrice Scott, SuperClubs' group purchasing manager, affixes her signature to the Memorandum of Understanding signed between SuperClubs and the Jamaica Agricultural Society at the Medallion Hall Hotel in St. Andrew on Wednesday. From left are Sam Ried, SuperClubs' vice-president of operations, Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, and Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke. - Carlington Wilmot/Staff Photographer
THE JAMAICA Agricultural Society (JAS) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with hotel chain SuperClubs, to promote greater collaboration for the development of the agricultural and tourism sectors.
"The way forward for Jamaica is one of alliances," said JAS president Senator Norman Grant at the Medallion Hall Hotel in St. Andrew, before signing the agreement on behalf of his organisation.
Sam Reid, SuperClubs' vice-president of operations, and Patrice Scott, the group purchasing manager, signed on behalf of the hotel chain.
LINKAGES
Senator Grant said there was an apparent need for more linkages to be forged between the JAS and other hotels to deal with related challenges affecting both
institutions.
Under the MOU, the JAS will trade with SuperClubs through the agricultural organisation's proposed Central Marketing Company upon signing a contract with the hotel later this month.
SuperClubs will also work with the JAS to provide incentives for local farmers. Additionally, it will assist with designing technical assistance programmes for JAS members.
The hotel will also provide Government with policy guidelines for initiatives that will benefit both the agricultural and tourism industries.
However, according to Senator Grant, the MOU does not mean farmers are to expect an automatic increase in the price of agricultural produce sold to SuperClubs.
In the meantime, he said, farmers must strive towards consistently producing high quality produce. SuperClubs purchases just over $110 million worth of local
produce annually.
Mr. Reid also noted that it was important that farmers supply high quality produce to the hotel. "The quality of the products we deliver to the guests is a function of the quality of the ingredients," he said.
WAIVER
For his part, Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarke said a recommendation has been made to the Finance Ministry for a waiver of import duties on specific beef cuts for the hotel industry, given the current shortage because of the temporary ban on beef from the United States.
But he said the waiver would only apply to the quantity of beef that was not available locally.
It costs between US$14.58 and US$17.48 (including duties) to import one pound of beef from Australia as an alternative to America.
Mr. Clarke said it was clear that Jamaican farmers must begin to produce more to ensure that they reap the optimal benefits of their practice.
Last year alone some 32,400 kilogram of beef was imported.
