Maria Azan making history

Published: Wednesday | July 8, 2009


Rasbert Turner, Gleaner Writer


Maria Azan - Photo by Rasbert Turner

Maria Azan has created history in the 114-year-old Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), by becoming the first woman to vie for a leadership post.

Azan is seeking election to the post of second vice-president of the JAS at the organisation's annual general meeting in Denbigh, Clarendon, today.

A veteran farmer, she is part of a team including presidential candidate Alan Rickards and Bobby Miller, who is vying for the post of first vice-president.

Azan said she was planning not only to create history but, more important, to work with the new directorate of the JAS.

"I will be part of the team which will assist in making farming attractive for the youths as, currently, this is is not so. For any tangible change to be made it must be now," she said.

She added that farming was a noble occupation that has not been given its due respect, and that the new board intends to change this.

"It is a profitable enterprise and needs to be seen for what it is. However, all sectors will have to work to make it better. Idle land will have to be used and the necessary capital will have to be made available for those who want to farm but don't have the funds to do so," he said.

All in all, a holistic approach is what the aspiring second vice-president said was required to put the occupation on its desired path.

Acknowledging that outgoing president, Senator Norman Grant, has started several projects, she vowed that those efforts would be continued, once they provide opportunities for growth in agriculture.

rasbert.turner@gleanerjm.com