KINGSTON – Chief Technical Director in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Dermon Spence, is encouraging more players in the agricultural sector to utilise food festivals as a means of showcasing and marketing their produce.
Mr Spence was speaking on Saturday, March 15 at the 3rd Annual Jamaica Coffee and Rum Fest organised by the Cave Valley Multi-Purpose Co-operative (CVMP) in association with Jamaica Standard Products and held at Baronhall Estates in Cave Valley St Ann.
The chief technical director said that the hosting offood festivals provided an excellent opportunity to highlight and market Jamaican products such as coffee and rum, which are known for their world-class quality and are excellent brand ambassadors for Jamaican products.
In addition to the jerk and seafood and yam festivals one could pursue even more opportunities to celebrate the culinary traditions of Jamaica, Mr. Spence said.
He pointed out that part of the Ministry’s vision for agriculture was the re-positioning of the sector to increase the supply of value-added products.
“This,” he added, “can only be achieved through more research, increased production and innovate marketing.”
Mr. Spence went on to outline several initiatives being implemented by the Ministry to boost production and productivity in the sector.
The Jamaica Coffee and Rum Fest was produced by coffee farmers from the Cave Valley Co-operative with support from the Coffee Industry Board, the central St Catherine Coffee Growers Association and Frankfield Coffee and Cocoa Co-operative.
Proceeds from the day’s event were earmarked to purchase fungicide to fight off the coffee leaf rust disease, which has been affecting the coffee sector.
Source: Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries
