Mark Beckford, Staff Reporter

Johnson (left) and Clarke (right)

Technology and its application to agriculture will be the major focus of this year's Denbigh Agricultural Show, scheduled to be held August 4-6 at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon.

The family show, which is in its 55th year, was launched on Wednesday at the Hi-Pro Ace Super Centre at White Marl, St. Catherine, under the theme 'Agro-Technology Advancing National Development'.

Modernise facilities

With the agriculture sector being urged to modernise its facilities and practices to compete in the global village, Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, underlined the importance of technology in this year's show, which is to be staged at a cost of $25 million.

"This is an agricultural technological age; the agricultural sector within the region has to become adaptable and make the necessary changes to keep abreast and to gain a competitive edge in international trade," he said.

Senator Grant also said the show will be trying to expose to its patrons, especially the young, the use of technology in agriculture in increasing productivity and agricultural produce.

Minister of Agriculture, Roger Clarke, said that Denbigh is an essential part of the agriculture sector, in allowing farmers to showcase their products. Additionally, the minister is urging Jamaican farmers to increase their level of productivity to compete with their international counterparts.

Opposition Spokesman on Agriculture, Senator Anthony Johnson, also indicated the importance of Denbigh in Jamaica's agricultural and economic landscape.

"The movement for agriculture is a part of the transformation from poverty, and it is a very serious issue that affects us at this time. We believe that investment in places like Denbigh will, in fact, assist the movement towards prosperity towards our people."

mark.beckford@gleanerjm.com