Farming
Agriculture continues to be one of the main sources of revenue for the Jamaican economy and a major area of employment and growth. Anyone that is involved in farming in Jamaica knows about the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon and the Hague Agricultural Show in Trelawny and their impact on farming. These two main venues are where farmers display the results of their hard work and dedication to farming. They display the finest harvest of produce and plants and the cattle and livestock exhibits are simply the finest anywhere. These shows allow manufacturers and dealers to exhibit farming equipment and supplies that are the latest in the marketplace. These venues are advantageous to such organizations as the Scientific Research Council. It is at these times that they unfold the results of experimentations in agricultural science and technology and everyone looks forward to this aspect of the exhibition. Did you know that many original ideas from agricultural products are borne out of the Research Council? Jamaicans continue to be enlightened and benefited by the results of their experimentations on many indigenous plants and their uses. One case is the additional uses that were found for pimento and breadfruit. They were once consumed as a spice and produce respectively, but are now used to make liqueurs. It was also discovered that yam and breadfruit could be used to make snacks and are very tasty. These kinds of innovations are very encouraging to investors, farmers, and consumers. It is important to understand the worth of the many wonderful plants and produce that are grown on the island. There are also demonstrations in home economics, feed distribution, and horticulture. These shows are like the Oscars of Jamaican Agriculture and have the support of the Jamaican Government.Farming in Jamaica has not always been easy and some farmers still struggle to produce marketable crops. In the past, most of the fertile lands were utilized for larger scale farming such as sugar and banana. Industrialization had not been available to some rural farmers who had to contend with farming mixed crops on a smaller scale sometimes in hilly, badly irrigated, and inaccessible areas, which were susceptible to erosion. These crops were usually consumed locally. The Government of Jamaica sought to improve the situation with the introduction of the Rural Agricultural Development Association [RADA]. They are working with other interested parties and agencies to promote agriculture and to improve the system for everyone especially rural farmers.
Jamaicasinting.com is the latest resource center for our farmers. This online community website is offering everyone in the farming communities the chance to liaison with each other. Are you a dairy, vegetable, citrus, coffee, chicken, or banana farmer? How do you market your produce? Do you have expertise in pest control? We are encouraging farmers, bankers, associations, venture capitalists, feed associations, irrigation specialists, farming equipment companies and anyone who appreciates what is happening in our farming communities to register with us and create a profile. We encourage you to use our online services to your advantage.
