ST JAMES, Jamaica— Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr, says the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will be retooled and restructured to better serve Jamaican farmers.

“We will be providing irrigation water, we are going to be retooling and restructuring RADA, we are going to be giving strength to the dairy industry, we are going to continue our Production Incentive Programme,” said Charles Jr while speaking at the 39th staging of the Montpelier Agricultural and Industrial Show, held at the Montpelier Showground in St James on Monday.

During his presentation, Charles Jr lauded the farmers and fishers for their resilience, especially during the past two years of the pandemic, stating that because of their efforts the country has seen double digit increases in the agriculture sector.

“Our farmers showed the resilience, determination, the discipline that allowed us to have the highest level of production ever recorded last year,” said Charles Jr.

Continuing, the agriculture and fisheries minister pledged to “pump money into the farmers” so that the sector will continue to grow strong.

Stating that farming is a viable opportunity, Charles said the government will continue to educate children, and give support to educational institutions such as the College of Agriculture, Science and Education and Knockalva STEM Academy, and all agricultural science teachers.

“Jamaica, if it is to grow, will have to stand on the shoulders of the agriculture and fisheries sector,” he said.