The Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force and Jamaica Agricultural Society partner to host The Denbigh Symposium 3 days of Sustainable and Organic Farming Workshops, Programs and Resources
CLARENDON, Jamaica – The 64th Annual Denbigh Symposium, the oldest and largest agricultural event in the Caribbean, will take place in Denbigh, Jamaica from July 30 – August 1, 2016. The three day event attracts over 80,000 patrons annually and provides workshops for farmers, exhibits for the family and vendors from across the Caribbean.
Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force (JDATF) in partnership with Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) to provide workshops, training, and resources for farmers as part of the Denbigh Symposium.
Norman Grant, President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society and Chairman of the Denbigh Show Committee says, “the partnership with the Jamaica Diaspora Agriculture Task Force and the JAS and Denbigh Show is a perfect fit and a Game Changer as this will open both Denbigh and our over 200,000 farmers to the over 3 million Jamaicans living overseas. The focus on the Organic farming workshops at Denbigh will begin to prepare the Jamaican farmers to tap into this growing global market of US $40 billion of Organic Food. The JAS is therefore calling on farmers to attend this the workshops at the show.”
The Denbigh Symposium will showcase the benefits that organic and sustainable agriculture can provide to farmers. The first day will center on how farmers can increase the amount of produce they can sell. The workshops will focus on providing information about sustainable farming techniques that can double the amount of produce production while saving water. The second day of the workshop will highlight how best to access markets and make more money. The third day will be an outline of programs and services targeted to Farmers.
There will also be giveaways and raffles every day for the first 50 farmers.
The Denbigh Symposium will be in area 10 next to the JAS Admin Building, and close to the corner of Ivan Tomlinson Drive and Muirhead Drive. Look for the Diaspora Banner
Members of the Diaspora traveling home in July for Jamaican Emancipation Day or Independence are invited to join JDAT at the Symposium and Denbigh and sample fresh organic food and the crowning of the first ever Champion Organic/Sustainable Farmer.
The Diaspora Agriculture Task Force (JDAT) was established after the 6th Biennial Jamaica Diaspora Conference in 2015 for individuals and organizations in the Jamaican Diaspora and Jamaica to combine forces and make a positive impact on Jamaica’s agricultural sector. It is committed to promoting and accelerating organic and sustainable farming practices, bolstering food security and creating new markets for Jamaican farmers.
Commentary
We support any move to forge partnerships with the diaspora information sharing can only mean higher levels of production.
Boost to production and new techniques can certainly help Jamaica achieve greater income from exports and improved foreign exchange earnings.
The diaspora consist of very qualified persons of varying levels of experiences in academia, volunteering and business. It is a wealth of knowledge equal to any region if not superior.
We congratulate the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) for being part of this symposium.
Congrats to all.
Hopeton O’Connor-Dennie is Senior International Correspondent & photojournalist for Vision Newspaper Canada.
