In keeping with the Agriculture Ministry's thrust to improve efficiencies and strengthen the leadership capacity in critical areas, Cabinet has approved the appointment of three new boards to oversee the management of the Fisheries Development Fund, the dairy subsector and the Investment Promotion Unit, which will be driven by the Agricultural Development Corporation (ADC).

The ADC, now merged with the ministry's former flagship programme's Productive Projects Fund Limited, will be chaired by Paul B. Scott, chief executive officer of the Musson Group of Companies.

With his track record of corporate management experience, Scott is expected to play a major role in overseeing the investment facilitation and market development portfolio of the new ADC, to be renamed the Agro-investment Corporation.

Berry at the helm

Christopher Berry, chairman of Mayberry Investments Limited, has been selected to chair the newly appointed Fisheries Management and Development Fund. This fund was established against the background of the introduction of the cess on conch exports which, based on current trends, is projected to earn some $59.5 million, to be used exclusively on measures to enhance the sustainability of the fisheries subsector. Berry brings to the table more than two decades of experience in fund management and corporate planning.

The dairy subsector, targeted as one of the major planks of the ministry's national food security programme, is also poised for a boost with the appointment of its new board of directors, headed by Dr David Lowe. Lowe, former chairman of the Agricultural Development Corporation, has more than 17 years experience in commercial banking, financial management and venture capital financing.

Speaking to the matter of the newly appointed board members, Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton said he wished to thank them for agreeing to serve, noting that he was confident that they would "add value in the respective areas in which they were assigned".