JACRA pledges support to increase productivity among farmers

By Halshane Burke    

 

Acting Director General of the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority, Wayne Hunter, has committed the organisation's expertise to drive production.

 

Mr. Hunter bemoaned the low level of productivity plaguing the farming sector.

 

He pointed out that enough is not being produced to supply the local demand for produce.

 

The JACRA head says the agency will be investing in the agriculture sector to drive production.  

 

"JACRA has been mandated through that of its board to meet the farmers once you have the available lands to plant these commodity crops. JACRA will be with you side by side, not only with the plants to put in the ground, but JACRA would ensure that you have the necessary inputs - and the inputs being fertiliser or chemicals to ensure that the field is build out. All that we are trying to ensure is that food security is not treated lightly, but food security will be at the forefront of our minds," Mr. Hunter announced. 

 

He was speaking at the launch of 7 Eleven Coffee Project at the Hayfield Primary School in St. Thomas.

 

JACRA regulates crops such as coffee, cocoa, coconut, spices, as well as oil producing beans and seeds.