Hutchinson encourages farmers to certify crops

Minister without portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon. J.C. Hutchinson, is encouraging farmers to get their crops certified in order to be qualified to export their produce.

Stating that the agricultural sector grew by 14% in the quarter ending June 2018, Minister Hutchinson emphasized that as the sector increased production it is important that we are internationally competitive. This, he said, means that farmers who are going into the export market must ensure that all their crops are certified.

“Every one of you who are growing any crop at all … you are going to have to have your crop certified,” said Minister Hutchinson, who pointed out that crops to be exported to the United States must meet their traceability requirements.

Minister Hutchinson was speaking at the 2018 Irish Potato Farmers’ Conference, held at the Guy’s Hill Town Hall in St Catherine on July 26.
The minister had high praises for the farmers in the Guy’s Hill Belt, which encompasses the parishes of St. Mary, St. Ann and St. Catherine, for their 30% contribution to the productive yield of Irish potatoes in the 2017-2018 crop year.

In spite of the vagaries of weather and other uncontrollable challenges, which have resulted in production of 12,800 marketable tonnes, the minister reiterated Government’s continued commitment to work directly with farmers to ensure production.

Noting that the sector has been consistently experiencing drought for the past three years, Minister Hutchinson said the Ministry is looking to bring into use water sources to include dams and catchment areas to provide access to water for farmers.
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