The 64th staging of the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food show got off to a smooth start yesterday morning at the Denbigh Showground in Clarendon under the theme “Grow What we Eat…Eat What We Grow Through Climate Smart Agriculture.

The first of the three-day agricultural show saw exhibitors and businesses from across the island opening their displays to the viewing public as early as 8:00 am. Among the specially highlighted features for the show this year were the Denbigh Symposium, which places a special focus on organic farming practices and crops, and the Youth in Agriculture village.

“This morning highlights a very important occasion in the lives of young people, in our 160 youngsters who are participating in various competitive events and most of these events were particularly geared in technology, agro-business as a drill out of our theme of agro-entrepreneurship. And this is something that National Youth in Agriculture is very passionate about; in how do we get our young people to become involved in agriculture,” Executive Director for 4H Jamaica, Dr Ronald Blake, stated.

Blake added that educational institutions such as Northern Caribbean University, the College of Agriculture, Science and Education, Knox College, among others, have been supportive in the drive to get youth active in agriculture, which is highly important for developing the next generation of farmers.

“Agriculture is a viable enterprise. I say if you are growing two acres of onions, you are doing better than most jobs you wear a necktie after university to do. If you are rearing 2,000 chickens, you are doing better than most professionals who go to work. I want to say the agricultural sector is a sustainable and viable sector,” Blake stated.

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries Karl Samuda stated that he was impressed with the Youth in Agriculture village, calling upon the Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS) President and Chairman of the Denbigh Show Committee Norman Grant to provide a permanent building for youth who participate at the show yearly.

“A building that will not only display, but will serve as a training centre between shows and a place where they can come share ideas, then put on certain sessions that will bring the youth from across the length and breadth of the country. I think that is befitting of the kind of contribution that we are expecting from the young people,” Samuda stated following the tour of the village.

The minister said that there has been a positive change in the way people, especially young people, view agriculture that he has not seen in many years.

“I met with your contestants for the farm queen competition and I asked each of them to identify themselves and give an overview of who they are and what their ambitions are, and I was ever so impressed with the answers I got and they are so varied. But in every single instance, it was clear that each intends to make a significant contribution to agriculture and to the development of Jamaica,” Samuda said.

Known primarily for its promotion of agriculture, the show will continue for the next two days with various presentations, such as the National Champion Farmer, National Champion Greenhouse Farmer, as well as features such as the livestock judging and parade ceremony. The gates open 8:00 am each day to the public at a cost of $1,000 to adults and $400 to children.