Agriculture Minister Roger Clarke (centre) cuts the ribbon to declare the offices of the Eastern Jamaica Agricultural Support Programme (EJASP) open on Thursday at 193 Old Hope Road in St. Andrew. Looking on are (left) Mr. Rainer Schierhorst, Rural Development Advisor, Delegation of the EU Commissioner in Jamaica, and Dr. Fenton Ferguson, Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture.
A $284-million project, aimed at improving the living conditions of small farmers in eastern Jamaica through sustainable management of natural resources, was officially launched on Thursday.
The Eastern Jamaica Agricultural Support Programme (EJASP) will be carried out in the parishes of St. Andrew, St. Mary, Portland and St. Thomas.
It is fashioned off, and will replace, the Morant Yallahs Agricultural Develop-ment Project (MYADP) which was based exclusively in St. Thomas.
EJASP is expected to benefit 5,600 farmers in the four parishes and will constitute aspects of training in "integral farming practices and techniques". Special emphasis will be placed on opportunities for women in cottage industries and agro-processing, while encouraging youth to participate in the agricultural sector.
"I am upbeat about the future of the agricultural sector as a viable industry and an occasion like this is exciting because the allocation of this money will go a far way in achieving some of our goals for St. Thomas, St. Mary, Portland and St. Andrew," said Roger Clarke, Agriculture Minister, as he cut the ribbon to the EJASP offices, 193 Old Hope Road, St. Andrew.
Junior Minister Dr. Fenton Ferguson said the MYADP had gone a long way in assisting farmers in St. Thomas and hoped that it would be able to address burgeoning areas of the sector such as organic farming and neutraceuticals.
Mr. Rainer Schierhorst, Rural Development Adviser, Delegation of the European Union Commissioner in Jamaica, outlined the commitment of the European Union to the enhancement of rural life in Jamaica.
"EJASP will provide assistance in a number of areas similar to those which gained assistance under the MYADP. The tree-crop project will come into focus, coffee farmers will be assisted, small-scale irrigation schemes will be put in place. We will fix a few farm roads, offer training and extension services. Generally, it is about intervention to make the life of the rural man a bit more purposeful," said Aaron Parke, Permanent Secretary for Agriculture and chairman of the project-steering committee.
About 70 projects have so far been identified throughout the four parishes for assistance. These projects will not get cash benefits, but instead, the provision of goods and services.
