Two Jamaicans win Farmer of the Year Awards at Caribbean Week of Agriculture

Rashaed Esson

Staff Writer 

#TheBahamas, October 23, 2023 – Two Jamaicans claimed awards for farming at the Caribbean Week of Agriculture opening held Tuesday October 10, at the Breezes Resort in Nassau, Bahamas and it included a veteran and a relative newcomer.

Jamaican win Farmer of the Year awards

Diandra Rowe, a farmer of eight years and nine months at her family Abbey Garden farm in Central Jamaica won Youth Farmer of the Year.  The enviable prize highlighted the ability of not just younger people, but the ability of Caribbean women to break gender stereotypes in any industry.

Rowe, proudly mounted the podium to collect her award, a hand-carved wooden carrot, proving that young Diandra is worth her weight in gold; she received rousing applause and gave an address which expressed how humbled she was at receiving the coveted CARICOM award and pleading to the many stakeholders in the room to dig deeper when it comes to making agriculture more intriguing for future generations.

The young farmer made an important point about agriculture, saying it is aging and that it is certainly of global concern that young people have become disenchanted with the agriculture sector.

In order to see continued success in the sector, she says it’s important that the mindset of young people is changed, adding that this will require exposure, investment opportunities and continued guidance and attention from top individuals in the industry.

Ms. Rowe informed that the qualities of youths such as being dynamic, resourceful, enthusiastic, creative, innovative and adventurous are what the agriculture sector requires to thrive.

Diandra, a third generation farmer, thought her life’s work would follow the trajectory of her university education, but fate would have her return to her father’s farm, Abbey Garden, which is not only feeding thousands of Jamaicans but which has now attracted regional attention and acclaim.

Diandra Rowe Abbey Garden Farm

Peter McConnell of Trade Winds Citrus Limited Jamaica, led the awards presentations at the opening which welcomed Ministers of Agriculture from around the Caribbean, key executives from CARICOM, the United Nations and other stakeholder organizations.

McConnell was named the 2023 Farmer of the Year during the 13th staging of Caribbean Week of Agriculture.

McConnell, who has been in the industry some 35 years, in his remarks admitted being proud of having won the award for his agriculture and manufacturing empire as the organization was, according to him, on its way to reaching its vision “to be the region’s leader in premium quality fruit and agro based beverages, while consistently providing optimum benefits to all stakeholders.”

During his address, he made a crucial point about sustainable development in the industry, saying that the key to food security is using modern technology to drive efficiency which he says is what’s done at Trade Winds.

McConnell later made another powerful point saying Jamaica, his home country, “can and will feed itself” and “CARICOM can and will feed itself.”

Header: CARICOM Farmers of the Year