'We can't hinge our children's future on tourism'

Sheena Gayle, Gleaner Writer

Western Bureau:With Jamaica's tourism seemingly under threat internationally from the bad publicity associated with the infamous lottery scam, well-known Seventh-day Adventist pastor, the Reverend Charles Brevitt, is urging local stakeholders to look beyond tourism for the nation's economic survival.

"The news about scamming in Jamaica is not good for the country's tourism brand, which shows the volatility of the sector," said Brevitt while addressing the recent launch of the Jamaica Agriculture Society's (JAS) Montpelier Agricultural Show. "It, therefore, means we cannot hinge our children's future on tourism.

"We need to return to basics and get involved in agriculture and develop that sector," continued Brevitt, who was representing Custos Rotulorum for St James Ewen Corrodus at the event. "Let's teach our children the benefits of eating the foods we are producing."

The Montpelier Agricultural Show will be staged on April 1 (Easter Monday) at the Montpelier showground, and according to former JAS president and current mayor of Montego Bay, Glendon Harris, a special effort is being made to get more young people interested in agriculture.

INCENTIVE FOR STUDENTS

"This year, students are being encouraged to attend, and we are offering them an incentive to come," said Harris, who is president of the St James chapter of the JAS. "We are offering free admission to any school that has 50 students or more as a group."

According to Harris, the initiative to encourage students to attend is part of an overall strategy to encourage more youngsters to support the event, and by so doing, get an opportunity to become agriculture entrepreneurs through the prizes they can win once they come and participate.

"The JAS is making sure that we bring agriculture to the forefront not only in the parish of St James, but in the entire island," continued Harris. "Students who come to the Montpelier Agricultural Show will get a chance to win chickens, piglets, rabbits, and seedlings. This will give our youth a start in the business of agriculture."

The staging of this year's Montpelier Agricultural Show has been given a significant boost by main sponsor the Jamaica Public Service, which is investing $500,000 in its staging.

"We are grateful for the support of our sponsors including Hi-Pro Feeds, JPS, and the other entities, who continue to believe in what we are doing and help to push the message of agriculture development" said Harris.