RADA's role in agro development

Lenworth Fulton, GUEST COLUMNIST

This article is a direct response to the headline in the May 24, 2013 issue of The Gleaner which states: 'RADA is a failure: Stakeholders say agency not fulfilling its mandate'. While the headline was catchy, the body of the text did not offer much in way of support for the headline.

In this article, I will present some facts which readers can use to make their own judgement of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority's (RADA) performance, given its limited resources and the difficult socio-economic conditions under which its officers have to execute its duties.

RADA, as part of its rebranding, has identified women and youth in agriculture as critical areas for strategic focus. RADA has also placed a strong focus on strengthening the administrative and technical aspects of the organisation in order to ensure the fulfilment of its mandate, which is to provide technical and extension services to the farmers of Jamaica.

RADA provides support to approximately 748 farmers' groups, impacting approximately 30,000 farmers islandwide. These groups comprise primarily farmers and those focusing on value-added products, i.e., bammy, preserves, etc.

RADA, over the fiscal year 2012-2013, has implemented and completed several initiatives and interventions. These have redounded to the benefit of many agriculturists, including female farmers and farm families of which the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP) are involved.

Some of the notable achievements of RADA to date are:

A reduction in the number of consultants to the organisation. This allowed for the increase in the travelling allocation to extension personnel.

Extension officers are provided with tablet computers, data phone capability, and GPS to aid in their service delivery.

Introduction of farmer contact-hour and assessment-control mechanisms.

The establishment of 1-888-ASK-RADA (toll-free number) where farmers can make direct contact with the organisation.

RADA closed-user group phone in which the RADA officers' numbers are available to all stakeholders.

Strategic partnership with various entities such as universities and multilateral organisations to use open data to increase the information flow on products and markets for produce.

RADA, through the various interventions and initiatives, have been able to directly impact the lives of farmers and farm families in several areas, including:

Livestock production

Agronomy

Agro-processing with emphasis in product development, label design and development and improved packaging.

Soil management

Entrepreneurship

Plant health and food safety

Marketing

On-farm water management

Post-harvesting techniques

Various aspects of family life education.

RADA AND JNRWP

RADA is a permanent member of the executive of the JNRWP and was instrumental in its formation as one of the original stakeholders of the organisation under the patronage of Lady Cooke, wife of former Governor General Sir Howard Cooke. The organisation continues to play an integral role in supporting the JNRWP through networking with farmers to provide raw material supplies, among others.

RADA, as recently as Tuesday, May 21, 2013, was a part of a stakeholder consultation with the JNRWP. At no time was it communicated to us by our partner organisation (JNRWP) that RADA was a failure. The executive members present were advised to contact the RADA parish offices for technical assistance and support as the need arises.

During the consultation with the JNRWP, an audit of 14 of the Network's groups was done. Of the 14 groups audited, RADA is currently providing direct assistance through training, product development, marketing and promotion though various exhibitions and shows. Additionally, several deliverables and strategies were agreed on to be implemented in relation to both organisations.

In the past year, RADA has worked with 98 women's group and we have ongoing training in the areas of micro, rural and urban agribusiness enterprises management and product development and also provide ongoing marketing support through its AgriMart franchise. RADA has constructed and developed three such AgriMart franchises (located in Kingston, Mandeville and Montego Bay) specifically to provide an outlet for the promotion, display, distribution and marketing of the products developed by various rural agro-processing groups, including JNRWP.

RADA has also approached the Jamaica Hotel and Tourist Association to purchase some of these products in keeping with the policy direction of the Government of Jamaica, to which we are still awaiting a response.

GOING FORWARD

In moving forward, RADA has identified some important areas to strengthen its operations in order to continue to deliver sound technical and extension services to the farmers of Jamaica.

The organisation will be focusing specifically on:

Realigning its human resources to have more persons in the extension areas.

Increasing training both at the executive management level and also within the technical extension areas.

Rebranding the organisation so that persons better understand its mandate and do not continue to confuse the role of the Authority with that of the wider Ministry of Agriculture.

Securing external funding to implement projects that GOJ finance is not able to support.

Designing programmes to improve production and productivity in the organisation.

It is the view of RADA that given the demands which are being placed on agriculture in light of the International Monetary Fund agreement, we need all hands on deck to assist in the development of the Jamaican economy.

RADA will continue, as it has been doing in the past, to fulfil its mandate of providing technical and extension services to all farmers of Jamaica as its contribution to the development of agriculture and rural development.

While we welcome constructive criticisms, it is the view of RADA that such criticisms be grounded and based on fact. We welcome both the JNRWP and JHTA to sit with the RADA senior management team to come up with solutions that are geared towards increasing the production and productivity of our farmers, which will undoubtedly impact the gross domestic product of the country.

Lenworth Fulton is chief executive officer of RADA. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com.