The Cabinet has approved a $23 million grant which will be used to give the Rural Agricultural Development Authority a more modern yet functional appeal.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, Dermon Spence also outlined that the Ministry intends to commence the process to engage the consultants this fiscal year.

Spence also underscored that RADA that this restructuring will pave a way for more specialists within the agency, due to the diversification of crop production that is taking place in agriculture.

The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is a statutory body under the Ministry of Agriculture & Lands. RADA was established under the Rural Agricultural Development Authority Act of 1990, replacing the Land Authorities Act and began its operation on August 1, 1990. It is Jamaica’s chief agricultural extension and rural development agency.

Since this year, RADA has proposed and implemented a probable solution to the growing watermelon problem which was lurking in St. Elizabeth.

In order to find a workable and practical solution to the watermelon situation, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries will lead a charge with the collaborative efforts of input suppliers to include Newport Fersan Jamaica Limited, T. Geddes Grant and H& L Agro in the establishment of three (3) farmer demonstration and validation study plots in both St. Elizabeth and Manchester beginning early February 2022.

The main aim of this exercise is to practically demonstrate best practices to farmers and get a clearer understanding of the matter at hand.

A defined nutrition programme and crop calendar of best practices and proper nutritional information will also be generated as output.

Furthermore, a study plot at Bodles Research Station, laboratory testing and training and extension advisory services from RADA are among the main deliverables targeted at decisively dealing with the watermelon situation