Farmers encouraged to register with RADA

KINGSTON, Jamaica - Farmers are being encouraged to take advantage of the suite of services offered by the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), by getting registered with the entity.

“When you are a registered farmer, you have access to more benefits and we have the accurate information, so we can plan ahead and know exactly how to support you and your operations,” said Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Pearnel Charles Jr.

He was speaking during Tuesday’s handover of six new farm tractors to the entity, valued at approximately $49.7 million. The event was held at the Agro-Investment Corporation’s Spanish Town Road complex.

The tractors will benefit RADA-registered farmers, at a reduced cost, with land preparation, ploughing, harrowing, farrowing, ripping, rotavating, bush cutting as well as provide support with drainage.

“That means if you are not registered but you are a farmer, go and take the little bit of time to register yourself,” the Minister urged.

In the meantime, acting chief executive officer, RADA, Winston Simpson, said that the organisation is “rebranding… realigning [and] restructuring,” as its demands increase.

“The RADA, as we evolve, has found out that the demand from our clientele has increased tremendously. We started out as a little production unit of the Ministry; we are now an institution,” Simpson said.

“We are expanding…soon to receive all the extension officers in the various commodity organisations,” he added, while noting that the agency is looking to welcome 100 additional staff members, shortly.

Established in 1990, RADA is Jamaica’s chief agricultural extension and rural development agency. In December, last year, the entity received ISO 9001:2015 certification, aligning its operations with global standards.