Approximately 466 delegates will today elect a new president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon.

Candidates vying for the presidency yesterday wrapped up campaign activities in what has been a heated contest between the two camps led by the outgoing first vice-president, Glen Harris, and president of the Jamaica Sugar Cane Growers' Association, Allan Rickards.

In what some have viewed as an attempt to maintain his influence in the organisation, the outgoing president, Norman Grant, acknowledged this week that he will seek election as first vice-president behind his presidential endorsement, Glen Harris. Grant has denied the claim, saying he is just willing to serve

Harris and Grant, along with second vice-presidential contender Glen Cruickshank, will go up against the team of presidential contender Rickards, and his vice-presidential hopefuls Bob Miller and champion farmer Maria Azan.

Miller and Azan are vying for the posts of first and second vice-president, respectively.

Rickards and his team are calling Grant's six-year administration a failure, lamenting that the leadership has been more interested in public relations than the core function of the JAS.

He vowed his administration would be focused on organising the society by building more branches and upgrading the facilities under which field staff work.

However, Grant defended his leadership of the organisation, noting that the JAS has made significant achievements during his tenure.

He noted that among the main achievements was the doubling of the organisation's asset base from $175 million in 2003 to $382.4 million.

Harris said the focus of his administration will continue to build on the JAS's growing financial base to provide more assistance to farmers.

gareth.manning@gleanerjm.com