The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is currently issuing an identification (ID) badge that will allow farmers to benefit from discounts at certain stores across the island.

The new idenfication will complement the existing Agri-Business Information System (ABIS) and registration system for farmers under the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) anti-praedial larceny initiative.

Information and Communication Technology manager at RADA, Gary Campbell, explained that the ID will be valid for three years and will cost the farmer approximately $350. It can be obtained at any RADA regional office, where farmers must first get registered under the ABIS system.

"One of the things it will help with is identifying them (as farmers). If they are stopped by the police when transporting their produce, having the ID would be a benefit to them, because it would help to identify him or her as a genuine farmer," he said.