RADA to get more households to do backyard farming

Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), Peter Thompson, says come September, the agency will be rolling out a programme geared at getting more households into farming.

“We’re on that drive now to assist householders that have adequate land space in their backyards. We will be providing kits, which will include packages of seeds, fertilisers and probably some chemicals, as well as instructions as to how to grow these particular vegetables, condiments and others,” Mr. Thompson said, during a recent interview on the JIS television programme, ‘Get the facts’.

“We hope that householders at home can enjoy the benefits of losing some calories and, of course, provide adequate nutrition for their families,” he added.

The CEO noted that persons interested in getting additional information may call the Agency’s office in Kingston at 876-977-1158-62 or toll free 1-888-ASK RADA (1-888-275-7232).

Mr. Thompson also informed that agricultural production levels are increasing, with some farmers now back on their farms, and weather conditions improving.

“By the end of August/September/October we are supposed to be seeing lower prices because the volume will be there and if the hotels do not open up fully, we still will have to use our mobile markets to get out the production to consumers wherever they are,” he said.

“We are seeing signs and, of course, the weather conditions have been good so far. The farmers are getting a lot of rain in the production zones and we believe that this will help to improve our production,” he added.

In the meantime, Mr. Thompson said RADA will continue to link farmers to markets through its agricultural linkages network, in partnership with the Tourism Enhancement Fund (TEF).

Source: JIS