Hutchinson encourages farmers to certify crops
Published:Monday | July 30, 2018 | 9:27 AM
Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Agriculture J.C. Hutchinson is encouraging farmers to get their crops certified in order to qualify for export.
Noting that the agricultural sector grew by 14% in the quarter ending June 2018, Hutchinson emphasised that as the sector increased production it is important that Jamaica is internationally competitive.
This, he said, means that farmers who are going into the export market must ensure that all their crops are certified.
“Every one of you who are growing any crop at all … you are going to have to have your crop certified,” said Hutchinson, who pointed out that crops to be exported to the United States must meet their traceability requirements.
He was speaking at the recent Irish Potato Farmers’ Conference held at the Guy’s Hill Town Hall in St Catherine.
Hutchinson praised for the farmers in the Guy’s Hill Belt, which encompasses St Mary, St Ann, and St Catherine, for their 30% contribution to the productive yield of irish potatoes in the 2017-2018 crop year.
In spite of the vagaries of weather and other uncontrollable challenges, which have resulted in the production of 12,800 marketable tonnes, he reiterated government’s continued commitment to work directly with farmers to ensure production.
Noting that the sector has been consistently experiencing droughts for the past three years, Hutchinson said the Ministry is looking to bring into use water sources to include dams and catchment areas to provide access to water for farmers.
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