Governor-General, His Excellency the Most Hon. Professor Sir Kenneth Hall, has said that the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) has over the years played an important role in promoting agriculture and giving farmers crucial support.
Delivering the main address on Saturday (August 2) at the 2008 Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show, at the show-grounds in Clarendon, he pointed out that many leaders in the Jamaican society, had their early training with the JAS and that the organisation has helped to highlight the best of Jamaica.
“From its inception, the Jamaica Agricultural Society, has been at the forefront of the struggle to ensure that Jamaican farmers continue to play a pivotal role in Jamaica’s development. The Society, however, has been more than an organisation of farmers. It has been pivotal in developing community life across Jamaica and has been an important training ground for all categories of leaders. Wherever you look today, you find leaders who emerged from the JAS. Another major role that they have played over the years, is in the promotion of our folk culture, especially in culinary and the performing arts,” he stated.
The Governor-General said Jamaica can deal successfully with the high cost of imported food if the message of the JAS and other leaders in the society is heeded.
“In the past we had to feed ourselves because food was not available, today the food might be available but we simply cannot afford it. The food production drive of the 1940’s, can serve as an encouragement as we and other countries of the world, face the crisis of the rising cost of food, due mainly to the instability in the oil market and also due to the fact that more agricultural products are diverted to bio fuels. I have no doubt that if we put our minds to it we can respond successfully to this challenge”, he said.
In further commendations of the annual Agri-Industrial Show, Sir Kenneth said that it is a major attraction, which brings home each year Jamaicans and friends of Jamaicans from all walks of life, “To share in this unique experience that reinforces our Motto ‘Out of Many, One People’,” he said.