President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Senator Norman Grant, has called for more loans to be made available to farmers at single digit interest rates.

Senator Grant, who was giving the main address at the annual general meeting and exposition of the Portland branch of the JAS, held last Wednesday at the Old Port Antonio Marina, Portland.

The event, which was attended by farmers from various communities and JAS branches in Portland, highlighted the best of agricultural production in the parish, with an impressive display ranging from primary produce to value-added goods such as beverages, pastries and spices.

According to the JAS president, agriculture remained the engine of growth and development for rural communities and pointed to the need to address bad road conditions to allow farmers to get their produce to the market. He suggested that a central road authority be set up to address the issue.