Agriculture Minister Confident Sector will Rebound

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Karl Samuda, says he is confident the agricultural sector will rebound to continue its growth contribution to the economy.

The agricultural sector contributed 7.5 per cent to the gross domestic product (GDP) in 2016, but the heavy rains in May affected some 10,000 farmers, resulting in losses worth $800 million.

Speaking at the launch of the 2017 Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at the Hi-Pro Ace Supercentre in White Marl, St. Catherine, yesterday (June 7), the Minister pointed out that the Government has committed some $118 million to assist farmers who were impacted, noting that more than $18 million has already been disbursed.

“We are hopeful that not only will the sector rebound, but that by August when we meet at Denbigh, we will be back on track and surpassing expectations,” Mr. Samuda said.

Meanwhile, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jamaica Broilers Group, Christopher Levy, said he is excited about the future of agriculture in Jamaica.

He said that he has seen where Government has finally taken on board the seriousness of the role of agriculture in the development and growth of the country.

For his part, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Norman Grant, said this year’s Denbigh Show is expected to generate more than $1 billion worth of economic activities.

The annual show will be held form August 5-7 at the Denbigh Showground, May Pen, Clarendon, under the theme ‘Grow What You Eat… Eat What You Grow: A Salute to Our Farmers, Nation Builders’.

Article by: Judith A. Hunter
Photo from: www.jis.gov.jm