HE debate continues about the state of Jamaica’s agriculture, which seemed on the surface to be in decline but with strong growth in 2021 and 2022 obviously displays the potential for a return to growth soon.
The 69th staging of the Jamaica Agriculture Society’s (JAS) Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show revealed a new face to local agriculture which demonstrated great improvement in many areas such as small ruminants, cattle, poultry and pig production, and protected agriculture including green house, hydroponics etc.
The goats and sheep displays at Denbigh were the very best in the history of the event and exceeded any in the 128-year-old existence of the Jamaica Agriculture Society.
Congratulations is extended to Owen Bartley, champion goat farmer from Unity Boer Goat Farm, and his support team to include Hi-Pro and the JAS. This small ruminant subsector has grown exponentially from the innovation and investment afforded it by the Small Ruminant Association of Jamaica through its President Trevor Bernard, and the membership in general.
It must be noted that the Jamaican Dairy Development Board played a pivotal role in all livestock displays at the event, making the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining the lead investor in Denbigh 69, galvanising its agencies to do their best along with private sector actors and others.
The traditional cattle displays showed new direction and promise as, although fewer in numbers, the quality surpassed our expectations especially since both dairy and beef cattle were in competition — unlike last year which was affected by the nuisances of the after-effects of COVID-19.