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'PLOUGH ON!'
Published: Saturday | April 20, 2013 1 Comment
Farmers urged to press on as better is on the horizon
Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer
A TOP EXECUTIVE in the private sector has expressed confidence that the Jamaican economy and the agricultural sector, in particular, will rebound from the current challenges, painting a positive outlook for the future.
Conley Salmon, vice-president of agricultural marketing with the Jamaica Broilers Group, used yesterday's Denbigh Sponsors Breakfast to reiterate his company's commitment to continued investment in the local economy, even as he urged the Government to recognise the importance of its role in facilitating the necessary growth.
Said Salmon: "There is a great deal of hope in the way the Budget was presented. It looks like we can make payments and we'll succeed. Somehow or the other, farming has to put the best foot forward to be as supportive of the economy as we can."
Salmon challenged organisers of the 61st staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show, set for August 4-6 at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon, to be realistic in efforts to address the many challenges.
NOT IN GOOD NICK
The Jamaica Broilers Group vice-president made his appeal to an audience at the Hotel Four Seasons, St Andrew: "None of us here can say that agriculture is in good nick right now. Agriculture is as subject to the vagaries of economies as any other enterprise, and I think it behoves Denbigh to be inspirational to the farmer members of its community."
Salmon continued: "We are not afraid to say it takes a lot of hard work to produce agricultural products. We are not afraid of that; that's why we are successful. So we want to encourage our farmer community that though it is challenging, the rewards will be there for those who stick it out. I really encourage them to plough on and plod on and to stick it out because better is on the horizon!"
Meanwhile, Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, declared that the Global Trade Exchange - aimed at connecting buyers and sellers in a serious effort to create new business partnership through structured network and matchmaking - will be introduced this year.
Set for August 5, the exchange will allow for participants drawn from all across the world to host their own product seminar and workshop, recruit new distributors and close sales orders on the Denbigh Showground.
The show, which again is being hosted under the theme 'Grow What We Eat, Eat What We Grow', will have as its subtheme 'Food Security … Our Gateway to Prosperity'.
Starting on Sunday, August 4, and ending on Independence Day, this year's show will also address the issue of climate change and its deleterious effect on agriculture.
christopher.serju@gleanerjm.com
