MONTEGO BAY, St James – Despite a disappointingly low turnout of patrons at Easter Monday’s staging of the Montpelier Agricultural and Livestock Show, the organisers deserve to be commended for putting on a reasonably well organised event featuring quality exhibits.

Undoubtedly, the event wouldn’t have been possible without the sponsors, particularly the Jamaica Public Service Company, which has pumped millions in the event over the years.

And kudos must also go to the hundreds of farmers who have consistently supported the annual exposition over the years, despite the many challenges facing the sector.

For their efforts which were acknowledged by Agriculture Minister Dr Christopher Tufton, as well as the opposition spokesman on agriculture Roger Clarke, translated into what Glendon Harris, president of the St James Association of Branch Societies which organised the show, described as a very good one.

“The livestock and agricultural produce were excellent and that is an indication that our farmers can compete on the world market,” the president of the association said yesterday.

And if Tufton has his way, the farmers should continue to excel, as by the end of the month St James is to benefit from one of 14 new tractors to be deployed across the country, under a tractor leasing scheme.

This initiative will help the farmers – who have been complaining about the exorbitant cost to prepare their land -to do so at a low cost.

The farmers were also told about the increase in extension officers, the strengthening of the marketing arm of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the government’s plan to recruit animal health technicians to assist them with animal health care. Apart from the livestock and agricultural produce displays, patrons gained valuable information from a number of participants occupying booths across the vast show ground.

There was also some fun for the kids who flocked the bounce-a-bouts and rode the horses. And as usual, food was in abundance.