Tendai Franklyn-Brown, Staff Reporter

Senator Norman Grant (right), president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), speaks with National Farm Queen Donnette Skervin (left) and Ms Kingston and St Andrew Gay-Ann Hutchinson at the launch of Agrofest 2008 at the JAS head office on Church Street, downtown Kingston, yesterday. As part of the campaign, 'Eat what we grow, grow what we eat', backyard farming kits will be given away at the 12th annual agricultural parish show, which will take place at Jamaica College this Saturday. - Junior Dowie/Staff Photographer

Growth within the agricultural sector is one of the most critical factors required to drive continued development within the nation, according to Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS).

Speaking at yesterday's launch of Agrofest, the 12th annual agricultural parish show at the JAS head office, downtown Kingston, Grant stressed the significance of the agriculture sector and its importance to nation building.

"As food security and self-reliance is becoming more important to our country's survival, we need to embrace and support this vital sector as a necessity," he said.

Crippling effect

Citing the current food crisis, Grant said waivers granted on imported products in the last 24 months have cost the country around $730 million, which, he said, has had a crippling effect on Jamaica's economy.

"It is widening the trade deficit and creating its own pressure on the foreign exchange market and the JAS is calling on the nation to 'eat what we grow and grow what we eat'."

'Agrofest', which will be held on May 24 at Jamaica College, will operate under the theme, 'Farming for Health, Wealth and Happiness'.

New and innovative resources will be showcased to encourage youth involvement and address the importance of agriculture through backyard gardening and greenhouse technology.

More for farmers

Orville Freckelton and Steadman Dawkins, farmers from School of Hope, Kingston, were present at the ceremony and welcomed the event. However, Dawkins insisted more could be done to assist small farmers.

"The water system is bad in most of the rural areas, so to help the small farmers, the Govern-ment needs to go district by district and investigate the needs of the farmers because in order to help the people, you need to know the people".

Grant has taken on the plight of farmers in Manchester who have had their access to water cut and whose crops are dying.

"I am making this public appeal, notwith-standing any challenges that are there at a time when we are having a food crisis and need to increase food production, we must work out an appropriate mechanism in order to get the production going," he said.

tendai.franklyn-brown@gleanerjm.com