John Myers Jr., Staff Reporter
DENBIGH, Clarendon:
MINISTER OF Agriculture Roger Clarke has said that there is potential for the agricultural sector to earn billions from the production of select crops that are in high demand on the international market.
He made the comments while speaking on the opening day of the 53rd annual Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show on Saturday at the Denbigh show grounds in May Pen, Clarendon.
POTENTIAL FOR EXPORTS
The Minister said the potential of the sector to generate such revenues existed in the production of organic foods, which are estimated to worth about US$30 million; ornamental horticulture, which is worth an estimated US$16 billion; ornamental fish production, which has the potential to earn between US$200 million and US$300 million, as well as in the production of herbs and spices in demand by the rapidly expanding nutraceutical market, estimated to worth about US$57 billion.
According to the Minister, there was also potential for "new export opportunities for a number of varieties of root crops" that are opening up due to increased demand for such products in the growing ethnic markets in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom.
This is in addition to opportunities for expansion in the rearing of small ruminants, such as goats, and bees for honey production. According to Mr. Clarke, the honey industry is worth an estimated $175 million.
SPUR GROWTH OF INDUSTRIES
The Minister argued that "rising productivity and profitability from agriculture would provide more on-farm employment, thereby raise the purchasing power of rural Jamaicans and, in the process, stimulate greater demand for manufactured goods."
This, he said, would spur "the growth of industries, including those of food processing, food distribution, manufacturing, tourism and transport."
In the meantime, Mr.Clarke expressed satisfaction with the support farmers had given to the show, despite the difficulties.
STILL ATTRACTING INTEREST
He noted that the "sector have been facing a number of major challenges, primarily due to agricultural trade liberalisation, stringent food safety measures and natural disasters."
He said, "Denbigh's increasing popularity over the years only serves to highlight the fact that agriculture, which is traditionally the backbone of our economy, continues to attract much interest from a wide cross-section of the Jamaican population."
