Shaw wants partnership with JAS, Coconut Board

Minister of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon Audley Shaw, has signalled his intention to collaborate with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) as well as the Coconut Industry Board (CIB) in his bid to lift agricultural production in the country.
The newly-appointed Minister made his declaration Easter Monday, April 2, as he addressed the patrons at the Annual Montpelier Agricultural Show in St James.
Outlining his new thrust for the sector, Minister Shaw declared, “we need all hands on deck and therefore, far from alienating the JAS, we need to embrace and tap into this vast reservoir of farmers, mobilised under the banner of an institution that is over 125 years old”.
“We need to establish a genuine partnership,” the Agriculture Minister added, “and that is why, within a week of my appointment, I am here today.”
Mr Shaw said, further, that he was also going to reach out to the Coconut Board, because his agenda was to ensure that the vast resources that they have were applied to the expansion of coconut production and the building of a vibrant coconut industry.
In his inaugural public address as Agriculture Minister, Mr Shaw also outlined his land development plan, through which Government intends to put idle lands into production.
=30=