MONTEGO BAY, St James — Arguing that a boom in agriculture is required to go hand in hand with the projected tourism boom, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Derrick Kellier is demanding that farmers seize the opportunity to ramp up their production.

“I am sure you have heard the announcements of my colleague minister of tourism, the Honourable Wykeham McNeill. The tourism industry is set for expansion. In the short to medium term we expect a tourism boom. This tourism boom must also be accompanied by a boom in the agricultural sector. We must correspondingly grasp this prospect for more hotel rooms and more visitors as an opportunity for a booming agriculture sector, especially here in St James,” Kellier charged.

Meanwhile, Kellier hailed farmers in Mafoota, St James, who, with the use of greenhouses, produce sweet pepper for supply to the Sandals hotel chain.

“I make special note of the fact that you have been utilising greenhouse production to boost production, and that 3,000 square feet of greenhouse nursery, which is operated at this (St James) RADA office, courtesy of the Food and Agriculture Organization, currently produces vegetable and other seedlings at competitive prices for the farming community. During the last fiscal year, some 167,875 seedlings have been produced, generating an income of over $2.518 million,” Kellier remarked.

He was speaking at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority’s (RADA) 25th anniversary celebrations ceremony, which was jointly staged with on Open Day at the St James RADA head office, located at Catherine Hall, Montego Bay.

Kellier argued that Government’s investment in agriculture and the hard work of farmers is reaping fruits, which is manifested in last year’s reduction of the national food import bill by 4.5 per cent or $5 billion.