- Rudolph Brown/Staff Photographer
Senator Norman Grant, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), hugs Digicel's sales director, Emer Golden, after signing an agreement for an alliance between the two organisations. The signing took place at the JAS office in downtown Kingston last week.
Balford Henry, News Editor
LOCAL CELLULAR giant, Digicel, has signed a two-year agreement with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) which will allow farmers, who are members of the Society, discounts on the company's telephones.
The agreement, signed between the JAS and Mossel Jamaica, which trades as Digicel Jamaica, has been described by JAS president, Senator Norman Grant, as an alliance and one which, "based on the synergies involved," should ensure a "very, very successful partnership."
The announcement was made at last Wednesday's monthly board meeting of the Society at Church Street, downtown Kingston.
Under the agreement, Digicel will allow the JAS a 20 per cent discount on their cellular phones sold to farmers who have a JAS membership card. However, the farmer will only get 10 per cent of the discount, as the other 10 per cent will go to the Society's revenues. Farmers will also be entitled to Digicel's $1,000 credit on calls.
AGREEMENT
The agreement lasts for 24 months, of which the first 12 months will be exclusive, during which the Society cannot make similar arrangements with Digicel competitors, and can be extended for the other 12 months, Senator Grant said.
The offer is, however, only available to paid up JAS members. Senator Grant said there are about 7,500 fully paid up members, some 75,000 members in all and a farmers' base of about 325,000, which is extended to 900,000 when entire farm families are included.
The JAS will also be recognised as a Digicel agent and will therefore be able to sell the company's phone cards through its parish offices. Digicel has been supporting the JAS for some time, including a $500,000 annual support for the Denbigh Agricultural Show in Clarendon. Digicel will also be supporting the JAS 'Eat Jamaican' campaign, as well as its current membership drive.
Senator Grant said the agreement could net the JAS between $20 million and $25 million from its 10 per cent take.
EARNINGS
Digicel's sales director, Emer Golden, agreed that if all the JAS members took up the offer it could mean significant earnings for the Society, as much as $20 million or more.
She said their collaboration on the Denbigh Show was a success and, "we are going to continue to work with the JAS and we look forward to other areas of partnerships."
At the board meeting, Ms. Golden presented champion farmer, Moses Jumi, with a Digicel phone.
Senator Grant said Digicel's move had motivated the Society to "get out there and work in alliance with other players within the country to make good" on its promises.
