Hutchinson calls for greater integration of technology in agriculture

Hon J.C. Hutchinson, Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, has called on stakeholders in the agricultural sector to integrate greater use of technology in their farming operations as they seek to grasp the available opportunities in the sector. He was speaking at the H&L Agro Syngenta Customer Appreciation Luncheon and Awards Ceremony held at Golf View Hotel in Mandeville on June 7.

“I believe that if agriculture is to make that quantum leap into the 21st century it will require a change in our mindset, where we will move towards working smarter and not harder by integrating greater use of technology in our farming operations,” said Minister Hutchinson.
Noting the recent opening of several new processing facilities, such as the Trade Winds Citrus Ltd Tetra Pak facility, as well as the St. Mary Multi-Purpose Cooperative Cold Storage Facility and the Jamaica Cocoa Farmers Drying Facility, Min Hutchinson commended the organisations for their vote of confidence in the agricultural sector while urging other companies to make similar investments.
Hutchinson also made mention of the packaging and processing facility at the New Forest/Duff House Agro Park in St. Elizabeth that is funded by the Inter-American Development Bank through the Ministry’s Agricultural Competitiveness Programme stating that the facility was 95% complete. The facility, he said, will include a processing floor, office space, cold and dry storage for finished goods and produce, and a 30,000-gallon rain water harvesting area.
Minister Hutchinson commended H&L Agro for its partnership with the Ministry on various projects, including field assessment of new products for pests and diseases management and providing training for Irish potato farmers. He highlighted the importance of partnerships, stating that Government’s role of creating an enabling environment to achieve growth and job creation could only be achieved through dynamic and viable partnerships.
Some 49 dealers participated in the H&L Syngenta ‘Lick-A-Six’ incentive programme, which is aimed at strengthening the relationship between the company and its farm store operators. Benefits include United States dollar rebate to dealers on the basis of percentage sales achievement, bonus for purchase of targeted quantities of strategic brands, US dollar incentives for staff of high performing dealerships and training on product knowledge and portfolio management for dealers and staff.
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