FLOYD Green, who was recently reappointed minister of agriculture, told attendees at the launch of the highly anticipated Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at Hi-Pro Supercentre in St Catherine that this year’s show will be bigger and better.

This year’s show will run August 5-7.

“Many of you may not know, but this will be my first Denbigh in the capacity as minister, he said. “Last year, I made sure to go out on the Monday to see what was happening at Denbigh and I brought my son with me… and to be honest, he was impressed with the displays. So last year you had a very good Denbigh. This year must be bigger and better,” he told the launch.

Green noted that the show has been attracting large and diverse audiences, which makes it critical because it is so important to the farming sector.

“For 69 years it has been attracting diverse audiences of all ages and from all walks of life and from all parts of Jamaica. Some were farmers, and some have never planted anything in their lives and just came to experience what Denbigh is about,” Green noted.

He commended the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), his ministry and its agencies, sponsors, and stakeholders who continue to ensure that the show continues to grow. He singled out Hi-Pro for being the title sponsors for Denbigh for the past 20 years.

“They have literally put their money where their mouth is. They are not only title sponsors of the show, but they are the sponsors of this show, the largest agricultural show in the Caribbean. We want to ensure that when people come to Denbigh, they not only experience agriculture as they know it, but they will experience agriculture as we envision it,” he added.

CEO of JAS Christopher Emmanuel said that a pre-Denbigh event will be a 5k farmers’ run/walk on Sunday, July 30, and is expected to attract close to 1,000 participants from corporate Jamaica, schools, and the farming community.

He said the opening on August 5 – Ministers’ Day – will focus on youth involvement in agriculture as well as the annual coronation of the Farm Queen. Sunday, August 6, is the Governor General’s Day, and will be highlighted by the Hi-Pro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza featuring Carlene Davis, Kevin Downswell, Goddy Goddy, and saxophonist Verlando Small. It ends on Monday, August 7 – the Prime Minister’s Day – which will also feature an exciting concert.

“It highlights the importance of the business of agriculture, the twinning of the industrial sectors, and the work towards food security,” Emmanuel pointed out.

“Our aim is to deliver the best experience to patrons, participants, and sponsors in a manner befitting the premier agricultural show,” he said.

President of the Jamaica Agricultural Society Lenworth Fulton was unable to attend but sent a recorded message congratulating the organisers and supporters. His vice-president, Delroy Alvaranga, moved the vote of thanks.

Other speakers included Franklin Witter, minister of state in the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, and Jaimie Ogilvie, vice-president of Hi-Pro, which has endorsed the event.