KINGSTON, Jamaica — The Jamaica Agricultural Society says it will be seeking to establish a partnership with the different parish councils for the implementation of an agricultural relief and production incentive programme for rural farmers.

This, JAS said, is in light of the decline in the agricultural sector last year and the need to assist farmers with inputs and training as a part of the recovery strategy for this sector in 2018.

According to President of the JAS, Norman Grant, under this agreement it will be proposing that funding allocation for the agricultural sector through the parish councils is implemented by the organisation.

He said the JAS last week released $1 million to farmers in St Elizabeth through the St Elizabeth Parish Council for the supply of seeds, fertilisers and other input to farmers, through funding sourced from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries.

He said the aim is to have at least one project implemented with each parish council for the first quarter.

The JAS said it will also be calling on the parish council to activate its agricultural sub-committee in each council.