Tufton to take another shot at farmers' market

AGRICULTURE MINISTER Christopher Tufton says the recent experiment of a farmers' market suggests the initiative could assist in dealing with glut management.

"Even where people were disappointed, they expressed the need for more of these events to take place and the willingness to support it," Tufton said on Tuesday.

Last week, the ministry, in an effort to reduce the glut of some produce in the market, hosted a one-day farmers' market in six parishes.

The markets were located in St Ann, St Mary, St Catherine, St Elizabeth, Clarendon and Manchester.

Tufton told The Gleaner that the sales for the day have been estimated at between $5 million and $7 million. He said more than 8,000 shoppers patronised the 108 farmers who participated.

However, there have been complains that some persons turned up at the markets and were unable to get produce to buy.

"I apologise on behalf of the ministry for that situation," Tufton said.

He told The Gleaner that the ministry would be returning to the drawing board and would be putting in place the necessary measures to ensure the success of the farmers' market the next time it is staged.

"We intend to have a second attempt and that attempt is going to be more coordinated, more structured," the minister said.

The minister said a glut now exists in a number of crops that will last for another three weeks. These crops include tomatoes, cabbage, lettuce and carrots.

No date has been set for the staging of the next farmers' market.