Thompson
This week, Farmers Weekly presents the ninth in a series of features on managers of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) with St. Thomas' Peter Thompson.
Marlene McPherson, Gleaner Writer
LYSSONS, St. Thomas:
PETER THOMPSON is a vibrant, proactive and task-oriented man.
The deputy parish manager of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), St. Thomas since 1998, Mr. Thompson joined the organisation in 1995 as an agricultural extension officer.
"RADA is going through changes and the focus is on education," he said, noting that young persons interested in agriculture should be targeted.
Mr. Thompson said it was his dream that RADA becomes a more professional agency, establishing closer links with the farming community and agriculturally related agencies.
IMPLEMENT PROGRAMME
According to him, this was also important given financial challenges that face RADA.
Pointing to the need to better manage critical agricultural resources, he said a programme should be implemented for young people to access arable land for farming, which are now being squatted on.
For the sake of a good future for agriculture, we need to get young people interested in agriculture as a career path, he said.
Mr. Thompson proposes that there should be designated areas for certain crops and more collaboration among farmers.
The deputy parish manager has assisted with about 17 major agricultural development projects in St. Thomas, including the introduction of the minisett yam technology project and he says he is committed to continuing his contributions to the sector.
