Farmers registration programme launched

Agriculture minister, Dr. Christopher Tufton, said the sector would have to refocus its efforts to meet the challenges of the liberalisation of markets.



He was speaking yesterday at the National Launch of the Farmers Registration Programme in Mandeville.



In addressing the farmers present Dr. Tufton said the purpose of farmer registration was to facilitate Planning and Marketing.



According to him this is critical for creating a level playing field for Jamaican farmers in a competitive International environment.



He warned farmers that they must be prepared to adopt new farming methods if they are to compete with the industrialised countries of the north.



The Rural Agriculture Development Agency (RADA) is expected to assist with training of the farmers, while the Electoral Office in Jamaica (EOJ) has been mandated to do the registration process.