Paul Henry (left), farmer, shows Roger Clarke (right), Minister of Agriculture and Lands, and Marlene Davidson (centre), manager, Scotiabank, Highgate, St. Mary, produce from his greenhouse production during the launch of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), domestic food crop production and marketing project open day on greenhouse production at High Pride Enterprise in Highgate on Wednesday. -Rudolph Brown/Chief Photographer

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) initiators of the Domestic Food Crop Production of Marketing Projects, presented an open day on greenhouse production at High Pride Enterprise in Highgate, St. Mary yesterday.

The function marked a significant progressive move for farmers in the parish of St. Mary, as it is the first greenhouse in the parish, growing two crops, tomatoes and sweet peppers.

Although planting of crops in the project only started in the first week of March this year, there has already been massive reaping with competitive standards being achieved.

According to one of the farmers, Paul Henry, reaping started as soon as in April, one month after planting.

The historic ceremony was attended by; staff members of RADA, the Custos of St. Mary Robert Pottinger, Member of Parliament Dr. Morais Guy, and Minister of Agriculture and Lands Roger Clarke, who gave the main address.

High efficiency

In his address to the gathering Roger Clarke congratulated High Pride Enterprise on the operation, welcoming them to a collection of farmers in Jamaica, who have taken a step towards high efficiency in agriculture which can only be had through Greenhouse Technology.

"This technology allows farmers not to be bothered by the elements and gives rise to favourable yields," he said.

Mr. Clarke also highlighted challenges small farmers presently face, some of which are self-inflicted. Some of these he says include:

1. Not embracing a co-operative spirit, which he says is the only way they can get better results.

2. The price of fertiliser being too high. He encouraged farmers to take th organic route.

3. The financing of agriculture. This, he says can be addressed by farmers taking a proactive step in getting loans at the different institutions that are offering them. " The Ministry of Finance for this financial year is offering $2.5 million of funding for loans to farmers at a reasonable interest rate.

Minister Clarke finally challenged RADA to continue to re-engineer themselves and aim to be a one stop shop where farmers can go toand get loan advice and technical expertise in order to empower the farmers of Jamaica.

The farmers in their response, which was given by Mr. Henry, reiterated the importance of farmers coming together and giving their commitment to assisting other farmers in accomplishing what they had done at High Pride Enterprise.

Mr. Henry also requested the ministry look into making government lands, which were presently not in use, available for ventures such as greenhouse production.