Lorna Gooden (second right), manager of social services and home economics at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), explains the use of a range of food products to students of Ardenne High School. From left are Rohan Lawson, Mariam Bakre, and Ashli Alexander. Occasion was a ceremony held at the school yesteday, to mark World Food Day. - Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Ministry of Agriculture will be staging five road shows across the island, starting next week, to intensify the ministry's drive to harness capital from private sector interests.

As part of the initiative to promote winners identified in the Government's agriculture development strategy, a number of areas will be showcased. These include honey, ornamental fish farming, orchard crops, small ruminants (goat, sheep) and pepper. According to the ministry, these have a "competitive advantage."

"This is an opportunity for persons to put their money where their mouth is," said roger Clarke, the Minister of Agriculture and Lands, yesterday. He was addressing the ceremony to mark World Food Day at Ardenne High School in St. Andrew.

Donovan Stanbury, permanent secretary in the ministry, pointed out that the government is the main investor in agriculture as not many persons are aware of the returns and prospects available in the sector.

Money has no prejudice

"I don't think that money has any prejudice. Anywhere you can make it, people are interested," he said.

The shows will begin at the Terra Nova Hotel, St. Andrew, on October 25, starting at 9:00 a.m.

Other shows will be held in Mandeville and Montego Bay. They are scheduled to end on November 3, in the Second City, Montego Bay.