Despite the prolonged drought, the 63rd staging of the Denbigh Agricultural Show has been labelled a success by Government officials.
“This year we have the largest amount of cattle we have ever had, and the largest amount of small ruminants,” said Jamaica Agricultural Society President Senator Norman Grant. “We also have the largest number of exhibitors (250. We have invested $65 million in the event, and it is expected to yield a billion dollars.”
Grant’s views were shared by Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Derrick Kellier who said he was impressed with the show.
“It has surpassed my expectations, bearing in mind the climate change vagaries that have come upon us,” said Kellier. “We have had harsh weather conditions, severe drought from last year to this year, and the fires that have devastated parts of the island. I am really surprised at the exhibits, and the quality of the produce.”
The show, which ended yesterday, featured displays from farmers and suppliers of farm products across the country. A wide assortment of fruits, vegetables and ground provision was spread out across the grounds.
“It was extremely difficult to gather the produce,” said Victor Edwards, the parish agricultural manager for St Catherine. “We have been under a prolonged drought. Some of the crops just don’t grow, and for those that did grow, the yield has been very little. For this year, the conditions have not been in our favour in preparing for the show.”
It was evident that some crops were more badly affected than others, as Trelawny displayed a good quantity of their signature yams.
“We were affected like any other parish, but yam is really a nine-month crop,” explained Mervin Green, agricultural manager for the parish. “Once it gets enough rainfall and nutrients in the early stages, then it will survive; it doesn’t need as much water in the last trimester. So with the extreme drought in the last few months, the yam was already mature. And the fact that it is a tuber makes it less susceptible to the harsh conditions.”
Animal rearing was also affected by the dry spell, the Jamaica Observer was told.
“The drought affects the cows too, you know,” said Hopeton Smith, a cattle farmer from Old Harbour in St Catherine. “With less water, the grass won’t grow. That causes low production, and the milking cows will ‘dry off’ more quickly.”
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Denbigh-successful-despite-drought–say-officials_19221940
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