Denbigh 2018 | Prime Minister pushes for smarter agriculture

Cecelia Campbell Livingston, Gleaner Writer

Prime Minister Andrew Holness is pushing for smarter agriculture saying it will help to solve the problem of climate change.

“Applying technology to agriculture may not necessarily overcome the competitive economies of scale that larger countries have, but it can bring us to a point where agriculture is viable and sustainable,” he said.

Holness was speaking Monday on the closing day of the 66th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show in Clarendon.

He said the Jamaica Agricultural Society should encourage young people interested in technology to get into agriculture as their innovation will add more value to the country’s natural resources, increasing the pace of economic growth.

Referring to the merger of the agriculture ministry with commerce, industry and fisheries two years ago, Holness said a part of the reason was for agriculture to be seen as more than just a ‘past time’ but as big business.

Holness also said he is tired of seeing samples at Denbigh each year that go no further.

“What I want now is for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce to take those samples and turn them into widely available commodities that are available on the shelves not just in Jamaica and Cayman but the entire region and the world that is how we add value and grow our economy," he said.

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-449-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.