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Field Operation

The Field Services Division of the Jamaica Agricultural Society is characterized by a team of vibrant and committed Parish Managers who play an integral role in the overall operations of the JAS by providing direct benefits to the farmers whom they serve.

The new thrust in the mandate of the JAS is to take a proactive approach to service delivery. The organizational structure was therefore repositioned to encompass two regions:

            • Region 1 – Kingston & St. Andrew, St. Thomas, St. Catherine, St. Mary, St. Ann and Clarendon     headed by Mr. Thomas Mayne.
            • Region 2 – Manchester, St. Elizabeth, St. James, Westmoreland, Hanover, Trelawny and Portland     headed by Mrs. Thelma Williams.

The thirteen (13) Parish Managers focused their time and available resources on twelve (12) main areas of activity namely:

JAS Leadership Training

            • Farmer Sensitization – Anti – Praedial Larceny Initiative.
            • JAS Parish Agricultural Shows.
            • Farmer's Month Celebrations (JAS Anniversary Celebration).
            • Denbigh Industrial and Agricultural Show 2005/Denbigh development.
            • Eat Jamaican Campaign.
            • Among others.

              • JAS Leadership Training

              The Jamaica Agricultural Society places great emphasis on farming practices and techniques, much attention is also paid to skills in leadership.

              Since the organization is structured on the branch development concept, the skills required to successfully run these meetings are best acquired and monitored through effective training in the particular area. Meetings are conducted on a democratic basis and the Robert Rules of Order are used as a guide.

              As part of the paradigm shift in the management of the sector the JAS is initiating a programme whereby beginning with Associate Branch Societies (ABS) Presidents and Secretaries, all members will be exposed to training in leadership.

              Farmer Sensitization – Anti- Praedial Larceny Initiative

              The Amendment to the Agricultural Produce Act has been passed in parliament on November 17, 2004 and allows for the monitoring and control of praedial larceny. The implementation of the produce receipt book system, therefore, lies in the direct purview of each Parish Manager.

              The Parish Managers will play a fundamental part in the Pubic Education Programme to sensitize persons buying and selling agricultural produce of the direct benefits in using the produce receipt book and urge them to participate in RADA’s National Farmers Registration Programme.

              Farmers’ Month Celebration

              What Easter is to Christians is what “Farmers Month” means to Farmers of the Jamaica Agricultural Society. Each year farmers under the umbrella of JAS commemorate the inauguration of their Society by way of a plethora of activities. These include:

                          1. Farmers Fora
                          2. Conventions
                          3. Exhibitions/Displays
                          4. Excursions
                          5. Banquets
                          6. Annual General Meeting

              The Annual General Meeting is seen by so many farmers as a time to vent their approval or lack thereof of government or other policies affecting the agricultural sector.

              Every three years the Farmers through their delegate system choose a President to lead. Today, the organization boasts its’ young dynamic, no-nonsense, resource oriented Senator Norman W. Grant, J.P. is the President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society,

              This year (2005) the organization celebrates 110 years of service to the farming community in Jamaica. In keeping with his philosophy of agriculture being the backbone of the economy, Senator made a promise during his campaign for presidency to bring the JAS to a viable level of service to farmers, their families and to rural Jamaica in particular. This promise is uncompromisingly being fulfilled by the following:

                          1. The new and innovative Rural Economic Agricultural Programme (REAP)
                          2. The Inner City Agricultural Development Project
                          3. The Tractor Tillage Service (availability of six Massey Ferguson 290 Tractors)
                          4. The Legal Service (Resident Lawyer at 67 Church Street to service JAS     island-wide)
                          5. The Central Marketing System
                          6. The Anti- Praedial Larceny Initiative

              In celebrating Farmers’ Month this year the President as well as the general membership sought must feel proud of the accomplishments.

              Eat Jamaican

              The Eat Jamaican Campaign that was launched in November of 2003 at the historic Denbigh Showground under the distinguished patronage of His Excellency the Most Honourable Sir Howard Cooke Governor General is the brain child of the JAS President Senator Norman W. Grant.

              Since the launching of the campaign, a large number of companies and individuals have not only endorsed the initiative but have also joined in spreading the message of Buy Jamaican, Eat Jamaican and Build Jamaican.

              In 2004, the Society celebrated the first anniversary of the campaign. This was also held under the patronage of His Excellency Sir Howard Cooke, Governor General and took the form of an Ecumenical Church Service at Emancipation Park, St. Andrew.

              The main celebrant was the Rev. Father Ernle Gordon, Pastor of the St. Mary Anglican Church, a Market Scene Exposition in the Grand Hall of the Jamaica Pegasus Hotel, New Kingston and a Gala Dinner at the Knutsford Court Hotel where the distinguished Guest Speaker was the Minister of State in the Ministry of Agriculture.

              It is within the context of the above mentioned initiatives that the field services division of the Jamaica Agricultural Society has been providing extension services to promote and protect the interest of the Jamaican farmers.

Field Operation