Montego Bay, May 28, 2019 – Jamaica – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, says an investor has expressed interest in opening a bamboo factory in the parish of Hanover. He made the disclosure during his address at the Hanover Agricultural Show held at the Jockey Factory in Lucea on Saturday (May 25).
“This is the parish with the largest amount of bamboo. Bamboo is growing all over Hanover, and we want to ensure that something can be done about all of this bamboo that you have growing wild,” he said.
“There
is an investor who is coming in who is looking to set up a business at one of
your school [properties] which is now idle. They are going to be setting up a
bamboo factory there. We are also going to have the expertise whereby we can
have things constructed using bamboo,” he noted.
Minister
Hutchinson outlined that bamboo can be used to make a wide array of small items
as well as large infrastructure such as bridges and buildings.
“I
recently went to China and I saw where they made bridges out of bamboo as well
as bicycles, paper, towels and buildings. We want to produce all those items
right here [in Jamaica],” he pointed out.
For
his part, Custos of Hanover, Hon. Dr. David Stair, implored farmers to practise
responsible agricultural techniques in order to preserve the environment.
“Gone
are the days when we dug a yam hill and hoped for the best. All of us who farm
will now have to understand the science behind it, so that we do not destroy
the environment with our practices, including slash and burn and the
indiscriminate use of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals. These not
only harm the environment, but they lead to our own demise in the long-term,”
the Custos said.
Dr.
Stair further underscored the importance of the agriculture sector, noting that
it is the foundation of the nation.
“If we
are unable to feed our people, then we cannot have productive workers; if we
are unable to grow food in Jamaica, we cannot benefit fully from our hotels
getting tourists. We would just be another destination,” he noted.
“Every
farmer, whether large or small, has to now farm smarter. Agriculture now has to,
therefore, be reintegrated in a more meaningful way into our growth discussions.
It is through shows like these and the coming together of all of the various subsectors
in agriculture that we foster the discussions that will allow a more viable
approach to our producing more, conserving more and improving lives,” Dr. Stair argued.
The Hanover
Agricultural Show was held in collaboration with the Jamaica Agricultural
Society (JAS) and the Hanover Association of Branch Societies (HABS). Various
agencies of government, as well as several farmers and business entities participated
in the event.
The
day’s activities included a stage show, farm queen competition and farmers’
competition.
The
event was held under the theme ‘Agriculture: Producing more…Conserving
more…improving lives’.
Contact: Serena Grant
Release: JIS
Photo Captions:
3560 – Minister without Portfolio in the
Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson
(centre), looks at a bottle of black castor oil manufactured
by Cestan Hills Nature’s Beauty and Delight, while the entity’s
owner, Madge Conliffe (left), explains the benefits of the
product. Occasion was the Hanover Agricultural Show, which was held at the
Jockey Factory in Lucea on Saturday (May 25). At right is Local
Economic Development Coordinator at the Social Development
Commission’s (SDC) Hanover office, Kimberly Ashley.
3696 – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce,
Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (left), greets contestants
in the Hanover Agricultural Show farm queen competition, at the event held
at the Jockey Factory in Lucea, Hanover, on Saturday (May 25).
3756 – Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. J.C. Hutchinson (left) discusses rabbit rearing with general agriculture student at the College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE), Shashel Ricketts. Occasion was the Hanover Agricultural Show held at the Jockey Factory in Lucea on Saturday (May 25).
Serena Grant Photos