KINGSTON, Jamaica — Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Economic Growth and Job Creation, Dr Horace Chang has stressed the critical role of the agricultural sector to Government’s agenda to achieve economic growth and job creation.

Speaking on Easter Monday, April 17, at the annual Montpelier Agricultural Show in St James, Chang said that in order for the country to achieve the targeted five per cent growth in four years, the agricultural sector was critical, not only to increase employment and economic growth, but also to reduce rural poverty and increase prosperity.

The minister, who was guest speaker at the event, said it was important for the country to invest in commercializing value-added products and market these both locally and for export, while identifying gluten-free produce such as breadfruit as excellent for import substitution and export.

Chang hailed the merger between industry and commerce and agriculture and fisheries and emphasised the importance of the linkages between the tourism, services and agriculture sectors.

The minister, who has responsibility for water, noted that the provision of irrigation was a critical factor in ensuring sustainable growth in the agricultural sector.