Tufton

DENBIGH, CLARENDON:

Minister of Agriculture Christopher Tufton, in his address to farmers at the 112th annual general meeting of the Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS) at the Denbigh Showground on Wednesday, assured farmers that the extension services of the Ministry of Agriculture, handled by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) would be expanded.

The move, Tufton explained, is being made to meet the needs of farmers islandwide.

The minister pledged that the number of extension officers presently employed by RADA would be doubled and other principal roles executed by the body improved, while new roles would be adopted.

Neglect of farmers

In addressing the farmers, the minister said "When RADA started over 15 years ago, it had over 1,000 extension officers working with small farmers across Jamaica. However, since that time, RADA has been downsized to 437 persons making up the full complement, of which only 60 are extension officers."

The minister told farmers that the ratio of extension officers works out to 1,500 farmers to one, demonstrating the neglect of small farmers over the last 15 years.

The minister also assured farmers that he was embarking on reforming the organisation by doubling the number of extension officers from 60 to 120.

Tufton said he was still looking at the possibility of a further increase in the number of officers.

"The new-look RADA is not only about helping people to grow things better, but it will also address other aspects of agriculture at the parish level, including employment of officers to deal with animal husbandry," said Tufton.

Register with RADA

The agriculture minister also urged farmers to register with RADA so plans could be made for them.

According to the minister, a marketing officer would be placed in every parish with the specific function of guiding farmers about the right crop to grow and helping them to sell their produce.