Clarke pledges support for organic farming

ROBIN’S BAY, St Mary — Minister of agriculture, Roger Clarke, has assured farmers of his ministry’s full support to develop organic farming in the country.

Addressing a workshop on organic farming at the Green Castle Estates in Robin’s Bay, St Mary, recently, Clarke said this type of farming was being viewed increasingly as the way forward for the agricultural sector worldwide.

Noting that significant strides have already been made to reinforce the organic farming approach in Jamaica, Clarke said the technique had an inbuilt capacity to produce healthier foods with a competitive edge, adding that it also integrated sound farming practices which were friendlier to the country’s fragile eco-systems.

The minister also pointed out that the value of the organic sectors worldwide has been put at approximately US$20 billion by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), and that organic farming was a tried and tested methodology that was currently being systematically fine-tuned by several of the world’s major agricultural organisations.

Green area for Ocho Rios

OCHO RIOS, St Ann — A green area is being created in the resort town of Ocho Rios at a cost of $15 million.

The park, a project of ‘Lift Up Jamaica’, will be implemented by the Urban Development Corporation (UDC) and the St Ann Development Corporation (SADCo). It will be established on three hectares of land, and is already taking shape in the town.

Senior project manager at the UDC, Victor Cummings, told JIS News that the project would be done in phases, and that phase one would include the creation of a landscaped area; and the construction of a decorative boundary wall, a main gate, four gazebos, a bridge over the Turtle river, and toilet facilities.

For phase two, Cummings said the work would involve the construction of the main walkway, a pond, the irrigation system, more toilets, a drainage system, and other walkways.

“We expect, working with the business community, that the park will be maintained, because it will be here for both locals and visitors. They can come in the park, have a picnic, sit by the pond and use the gazebo,” Cummings said.

General manager of SADCo, Faith Thomas, said the park would include all the land from Taj Mahal shopping centre to the entrance of the Ocho Rios courthouse. “The UDC is adamant that we must keep this as a green space for Ocho Rios, where visitors can walk and relax,” she said.