HOPES that the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) would finally be able to settle the issues delaying the election of a new executive body since last year were dashed on Wednesday, when the Supreme Court set a March 2023 date to start the hearings.

The court announced their decision to reset the start of the hearings for March 29, next year, further delaying the process by at least three more months. However, the court process is likely to delay the elections by a longer period, and could include the annulment of the selection of six people to contest the leadership positions of president, first vice-president and second vice-president without the required timely advice.

The court first met on July 11, two days before the planned annual general meeting (AGM) for July 13, 2022, and announced that the hearings would start on October 5. The executives were forced to annul the meeting date, as the court’s position on the claims made by leading Westmoreland farmer Ian Hill would have to be addressed before it could be held.

The situation did not stop the Lenworth Fulton administration from going ahead with another successful staging of the annual Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show in Clarendon at the end of July, as there was hope that court would handle the issues on a more timely basis.

The court’s decision, however, gives current President Fulton additional months as head of the 127-year-old society which represents the interests of Jamaica’s farmers, and which has been awaiting fresh elections since his three-year term ended in 2021.

In the meantime, Fulton has made public what he sees as plans by the Government to relieve itself of the burden of financing JAS activities. He said that his information was that the society will transition in May 2023, based on a Cabinet decision.

He said that a JAS team will be seeking a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Pearnel Charles Jr to discuss its transitional position which, among other things, will leave the fate of its staff members, who are considered public servants, up to the authorities.

“But we will ask that they give us a carry-on grant for at least three years, which will allow us to hire persons on contract to run the JAS, until it gets going. We will also ask that they absorb all our debts since the JAS is subscribed by the act of 1940, which makes us a government institution,” he told the media.

Fulton also noted that the society cannot borrow money without the minister of agriculture and fisheries’ permission, which constitutes a government guarantee.

He suggested that all JAS lands must be made tax-free, like the church lands, and titles handed over for all lands that are under lease. He also suggested that Denbigh become a national project.

Speaking with Jamaica Observer reporters at a recent Monday Exchange press briefing, Charles said that the process to help the JAS become an independent institution is continuing.

“My comments have been consistent. We are in a process now. I think that we are at the end of the verification phase with the Jamaica Agricultural Society. There is an intention to support the JAS becoming independent, and that process is continuing and it is at a stage where they are still doing assessments to see if approval is the most appropriate approach,” Charles said.

“My understanding is that the JAS itself has no issue with being independent, and that it would not mean that the Government wouldn’t be there to support the JAS. The Government will continue to be there for segments of agriculture, and will continue to give support wherever it is necessary,” he added.