The Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show returned for what many have called its most successful staging in years last Saturday, and not even a mid-afternoon downpour could deter the thousands of patrons who filed into the Denbigh show grounds for the 63rd staging of the Caribbean’s longest-running agricultural event.

When the rains abated, there was much ground for Thursday Life to cover, local fare to indulge in, and a checklist to be made of parish produce must-haves for our personal and family diets.

Denbigh was the Emancipation Day locale of choice for agri-junkies and foodies. Upon entry patrons surveyed the landscape in search of the next best thing in agriculture and livestock farming, and toured booths and stations by local farmers and farming supply businesses.

Farmers from the island’s 14 parishes revealed basketfuls of produce which included green bananas and Irish potatoes from St Thomas, sweet peppers from Trelawny, dragon fruit from Westmoreland, and St Mary’s spread of beans and peas.

“We have 250 exhibitors this year, our most successful show despite the dry conditions,” declared Jamaica Agricultural Society President Senator Norman Grant, “including cattle and small ruminants, and the general concensus from the farmers is that, notwithstanding the drought, the greenhouse technology, drip irrigation, and rainwater harvesting implementations from the Ministry of Agriculture continue to work in their favour.”

On the other hand, the farmers weren’t humming the same tune as parish exhibitors did not present their usual harvest. Trelawny, the parish known for yams, for example, had just about two handfuls, while St Thomas presented more bananas than St Mary (which, in times before, was acknowledged as the parish of bananas).

Minister of Agriculture Derrick Kellier shared a similar sentiment. “The product display has surpassed my expectations, bearing in mind the climate change vagaries that have come upon us in respect of weather conditions, severe droughts and devastating fires. It’s a surprise to see the level of the exhibit so far, and the products that aid the farmers will, in essence, make a significant difference. The Jamaica Agricultural Society has put on a powerful show, and it is a win-win situation for farmers and exhibitors.”

Elsewhere on the expansive Clarendon showgrounds, Jamaican Hope champion cows, Nubian and African boer goats, and other four-legged animals awaited judges’ deliberations in their designated stalls.

Being too, an eagerly anticipated food show, there were presentations aplenty from top chefs and established food brands. From chef/patron Brian Lumley’s Best Dressed Chicken ‘n Waffles, to Reggae Jammin’s marinated jerked chicken fare, Rainforest Seafoods escoveitched tilapia fillet with french fries, lobster pasta with a rundown sauce, and steamed snapper dishes to a three-course meal and bread art from the culinary arts students and aspiring chefs of the Ebony Park HEART Academy, there was a little bit of something for everyone to munch on.

All was not complete without a little friendly competititon which resulted in St Catherine poultry farmer Richard Bennett, for the second time around, walking away with the National Champion Farmer title, while Michelle Black from St Ann was announced the National Woman Champion Farmer, and Sheldon Williams named the National Young Champion Farmer.

The day’s leisure activities included a kiddies’ village with bowling, high striker, rock-climbing, face-painting, dirt-biking, and several rides and slides, as well as a live-performance concert that rocked patrons late into the evening. The evening show, hosted by Khadine ‘Miss Kitty’ Hylton, saw performances from gospel act Roxy J and the 2015 Digicel Rising Stars finalists and dancehall and reggae artistes Bounty Killer and Ding Dong.

— Kadeem Rodgers