Minister without Portfolio in the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries, the Hon J.C. Hutchinson (3rd from left) along with (l-r) Supt. in charge of the Richmond Adult Correctional Centre in St Mary, Leroy Allen (2nd left), Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jnr. and CEO of the Rural Agricultural Authority (RADA), Peter Thompson (5th left), on tour of agricultural production at the facility on August 22, 2017.
Plans are underway for the Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries (MICAF) to join forces with the Ministry of National Security to increase the production of foodstuff at the Richmond Farm Adult Correctional Centre in St Mary.
The plans were unveiled August 22 during a tour of the centre led by Hon J.C. Hutchinson, Minister without Portfolio in MICAF and the Hon. Pearnel Charles Jnr., Minister of State in the Ministry of National Security.
According to Minister Hutchinson, the collaborative effort between the two Ministries is intended to maximise the use of the over 300-acre property at the medium security facility for the production of tree crops and other produce for consumption at the centre.
A project committee has already been established and has been collecting data and designing a plan of action in order to finalise a Memorandum of Understanding between the two Ministries, within another two months.
It is expected that the MICAF, through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) will contribute input material such as seedlings, pesticides and fertilisers, in addition to the technical assistance and training it will provide to the agricultural programme.
Superintendent in charge at the Richmond Correctional Facility, Supt. Leroy Allen, hailed the agricultural programme as a “welcomed move” and one that will not only facilitate production o, but will enhance the training and rehabilitation programme at Richmond.
Currently, Supt. Allen said, crops such as corn, sorrel, plantain and bananas are grown at the facility, while some 8 flats (approx. 20 dozen) eggs are produced daily.
Contact:
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Ministry of Industry, Commerce, Agriculture and Fisheries
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T – 927-1731-50 / 618-7128; E: pr2@micaf.gov.jm; daoconnor@micaf.gov.jm
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The Ministry of Industry, Investment and Commerce is described as Jamaica's "Business Ministry." It's mandate is to lead the development of policies that will create growth and jobs, while achieving social inclusion and consumer protection. The Ministry, working its stakeholders is primarily responsible for business policy development, monitoring and evaluation, while giving direction and oversight to a cluster of implementing departments and agencies.
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