KINGSTON, Jamaica – Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, Karl Samuda, says the merger of the industry portfolio with agriculture is a strategic move aimed at accelerating business development and job creation.

Samuda said the merger will better enable the country to realize the unlimited potential of both sectors.

“Agriculture and fisheries will now benefit from the techniques, resources and expertise of industry-commerce and likewise, the raw materials and products from Agriculture-Fisheries will boom new businesses that will create agro industries to earn foreign exchange through export,” he said.

Samuda noted that the Ministry is currently embarking on a “massive cassava growing project” that has “guaranteed markets with guaranteed prices that will give handsome returns.”

He said the merger will open up various business prospects for young people and urged them to prepare to take advantage of the opportunities.

“Get on board; find an interest, utilise the agencies under the Ministry to get the requisite business skill, advice and do research,” he said.