the agriculturalist newspaper (denbigh)-august 2014

8/12/2019 The Agriculturalist Newspaper (Denbigh)-August 2014

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VOL. 25 NO. 3 AUGUST 2014 FREE COPY WWW.THEAGRICULTURALIST.COM

No Tax Relief

For FarmersBy Patrick Maitland,Editor-The Agriculturalist

The income tax relief that has been available to Ja-maican farmers for over the past three decades ends inJanuary 2014 with the repealing of section 5(6) of the In-come Tax Act by virtue of the passing of the Fiscal Incen-tives (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 2013. Under section5(6) of the Income Tax Act an approved farmer was re-lieved from income tax on income derived exclusivelyfrom prescribed agricultural activities.

In analyzing the Government new tax measures which

was announced on April 30, 2014, by Peter Phillips, Min-ister of Finance and Planning, director of taxation at DGSChartered Accountants and Business Advisors, PatrickGalbraith said the impact of the new taxes on agricultureis unappealing to say the least as farmers are now unableto access certain tax benefits despite the perennial hazardsthey faces and the vital role they play in the economy.

The Act also repeals various capital allowances thatwere designed to provide incentives to agriculture includ-ing the sugar industry.

Galbraith further explains that the new Minimum Busi-ness Tax (MBT) will be among the major tax issues forfarmers the year 2014. Companies and individuals inbusiness now have to pay the MBT. This tax is at the rateof $60,000 per year and payable in installments of $30,000by June 15 and September 15 starting this year. An indi-vidual whose annual gross revenue is at least $3M is li-able to pay the MBT. The tax will act as a credit againstincome tax payable by that individual in the subsequentyear or it will be refunded, he added.

MBT is also payable by most companies including en-tities designated approved farmers. Although companies

and individuals in business are liable for the same amountof the MBT, there is no gross revenue threshold and no re-fund of the MBT for companies.

As outlined in the Act, 2013, effective from the year2014, tax loss sustained in a previous year of assessmentis restricted to set against taxable profits of up to 50% of taxable profit. For example, if a farmer has tax losses of $10 M prior to 2014, but made a profit of $2 M for the

year 2014, the loss that will be allowed to relief the profitwill be limited to $1 M. Tax would be payable on $1 M atthe rate of 25%. This is unlike previous years where allthe loss could have been set against the profit thus elimi-nating taxable profit for 2014.

This new tax measure will not be applicable to enti-ties that have income of less than $3 million or that hasbeen in existence for less than 5 years, he said.

Galbraith also noted that despite the repealed section,a breathing space is provided, whereby a person or entitythat has been designated approved farmer before January

1, 2014 may continue to benefit under the repealed provi-sion until the end of the period of designation.Meanwhile, sections of the agriculture and fisheries in-

dustry say they will be negatively affected by the taxmeasures proposed by Government including the increasesin General Consumption Tax (GCT) on electricity usage of 300 kWh and above from 10 per cent to 16.5 per cent ef-fective June 1.

The farmers are not pleased with the 16.5 %. GCT oneggs, raw foodstuff, certain types of processed and rawseafood as well as the increases in property taxes morethan a year ago.

by Kimmy

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EDITORIAL PAGE

Any country or nation that is able tofeed its people is on the way toprosperity. Providing enough food forthe people at an affordable price must bepart of Governments mission.

While, most countries would makeevery effort to producce a large amountof their food locally, food importationwill always play an integral role in feed-ing the people.

It may be more economical to importmost of our high-consumed productssuch as corn, rice and wheat. However,with the islands food import bill, whichstands at a staggering one billion (US)dollars, it appears that Jamaicas foodpolicy is skewed towards importation.

As recorded by the latest agriculturalcensus, during the past 20 years almost30% of our arable farmlands wereshifted into houses, other non-agricul-tural activities or remain idled.

During the past two decades, we wit-nessed overall poor growth in food pro-duction, consequently, today,agricultural contribution of the gross do-mestic product (GDP) is about 5% andexport is just under US$200 M.

In the 1980s and 1990s, Jamaica im-plemented extensive policy changesunder World Bank and IMF-led struc-tural adjustment programmes, whichopened our markets to unfair competi-

tion, the removal of subsidies and re-cently the imposition of additional taxeson farming operations.

However, in my opinion the Govern-ment should adopt a more open andtransparent food importation policy.

As it now, the Minister of Agriculturefrequently and quietly grant licenses tocompanies and individuals who seek toimport various agricultural produce andprocessed food.

The importation of most agriculturalproduce such as chicken back, eggs,pork, and vegetables is a very lucrativebusiness that attracts high returns on in-vestment.

The Minister is therefore constantlyunder pressure to issue more licenses assome entrepreneurs seek to take advan-tage of a tenuous situation.

As part of the solution, there shouldbe at least an annual public hearing withall interested parties including otherstakeholders stating their positions - sup-porting or objections to the importationof certain items.

This process would eliminate theperception that only selected personswith connections are benefiting or prof-iting from the lucrative food importationbusiness.

The farmers could also benefit from

the information in planning their pro-duction cycle.

byPATRICK MAITLAND

Publisher -The [email protected]

The opinions expressed in this newspaper, except for the above, do not necessarily reflect the views of The Agriculturalist and its publishers. Please send your com-ments or suggestions to [email protected]. Responses should be no longer than 400 words. Not all articles will be published.

FOCAL

POINT

OP O S

Wanted-An open and transparent food importation policy!

By: Donald SalmonPresident, Jamaica Coffee

Growers AssociationOver the years the Jamaica coffee industryhas been subjected to many changes.Whilst death and taxes are certain, changeis constant. According to Spencer Johnsonauthor of Who Moved My Cheese the in-dustry will have to find new cheese.

There are many factors that are threatsto our livelihood, and even our very exis-tence as farmers.

Factors affecting farmers include dis-eases, climate change, poverty, poor Edu-cation, poor Infrastructures, policies andprogrammes, low prices, devaluation anddivestments.

Farmers are in need of chemicals totreat coffee leaf rust disease, particularlythose farms that are in the low lying areasand this has spread to higher elevation.

Farmers have tried with some amountof success to combat the spread of the dis-ease by organic means. However, assis-tance is still needed especially for the smalland medium sized farmers.

It was reported in the media that theCoffee Industry Board was on record of saying that the sector "might not reach200,000 boxes for the JBM (Jamaica BlueMountain) segment in 2014, due to thedevastation caused by the coffee leaf rustdisease."

It is no secret that we the coffee grow-ers are not able to take advantage of grow-ing world market prices due to this forcedreduction of capacity whether due to the ef-fects of the rust or the berry borer.

Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee is pre-mium. A well known fact.

This brand is being affected and will be af-fected by climate change. The cool tem-peratures enjoyed by the blue mountainwill be affected by global warming and ex-treme weather conditions.

In recent time we were affected by atleast 1 hurricane per year on average. Thesector suffers under these conditions due toloss of crops

Coffee industry is still feeling the neg-ative effects of hurricane Ivan and all othersubsequent hurricanes over the last decade.In order for us to increase coffee produc-tion these issues of climate change needsto be researched and discussed. Mitigatingmeasures need to be applied before a dis-aster especially in the absence of crop in-surance.

Tighe Geoghegan and Noel Bennett ina study on Forest Management committeesfound in 2003 noted that: The watersheds

development needs are substantial. Morethan half the population is living in or atrisk of falling into poverty, and the edu-cated middle class, most likely to be ac-tive in community development, comprises10% or less.

High levels of illiteracy (estimated atclose to 50%) and of migration by the bet-ter educated impede economic advance-ment.

Poverty is concentrated in the upperwatershed areas, where transportation andcommunication infrastructure is poor andwatershed management issues most criti-cal.

The causes of poverty in the watershedare diverse, but typical of rural Jamaica.They include: marginal returns from farm-ing, partly caused by poor land use on

steep slopes, lack of adequate farmland orsecure tenure, poor access to resources andmarkets and limited educational opportu-nities.

There is need to put in place policiesand programs to: address illiteracy in farm-ing districts, rehabilitate road infrastruc-ture, focus on the education of primary andsecondary school children of small farm-ers and reduce transportation cost to chil-dren living in these areas.

Low prices and DevaluationTraditionally, coffee farmers do not bene-fit from the devaluation of the Jamaicandollar. Prices are fixed, by traders; hencecoffee farmers are price takers. The smallfarmer is forced by necessity to forwardsell his crop to traders who are by natureof the trade benefitting from the favorableprices that they are able to obtain on the

world market.The devaluation of the Jamaican dollaris affecting the farmer adversely. Whilstthe price that farmers receive per box isusually fixed, cost of production increaseswith each slide of the Jamaican dollar inrelation to the US$.

The Jamaica Coffee Growers Associa-tion will seek to take advantages of favor-able prices and will pass on these gains toits members Bedrock of the Industry.

Currently the farmers are faced with se-vere issues with the government divest-ment of two coffee entities.

The current arrangement is problematicto say the least. The J.C.G.A. interprets thearrangements as contrary to all previouslease agreements between the Governmentof Jamaica and small scale coffee farmers.

The J.C.G.A . is concerned about the im-plications of these developments on thelivelihoods of our small farmers.

At this time the J.C.G.A. wants to placeon record its dissatisfaction and to seek as-sistance in settling this stalemate in the na-tional as well as our farmers interests.This matter is critical to the harmony in thecoffee industry and ultimately the coun-trys development and cannot be brushedaside.

We do so through taking advantage of opportunities as such: Providing increasedemployment through the Agro-Park con-cept of creating 10,000 jobs per year overthe next five(5) years in the value chain.

The Challenges and Opportunities of Coffee

Publisher & Editor:Patrick Maitland

Advertising Executive:Tricia Reece

Consulting Editors:Vincent Wright, Jairzenho Bailey

Produced & Published by:Agri Life Foundation Ltd

AMC Complex,188 Spanish Town Road,

Kingston 11, Jamaica, W.I.Tel: (876) 923-7471 923-7428

Fax: (876) [email protected]

[email protected]


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NEWS

By Marlon Tingling, JIS

The Rural Agricultural DevelopmentAuthority (RADA) is ramping up itswater harvesting programme in sections of St. Elizabeth.

Deputy RADA Parish Manager, Mar-vin Lawrence, said part of the drought mit-igation programme being undertaken is theconstruction of water harvesting ponds inseveral farming communities. Lawrencenoted that water harvesting ponds havebeen serving farmers well and in time tocome and with new ponds coming onstream.

To help alleviate the challenges facedby farmers annually in the farming areas of St. Elizabeth, because of a lack of water,the Rural Agricultural Development Au-thority (RADA) is ramping up its waterharvesting programme in sections of theparish.

Deputy RADA Parish Manager, Mar-vin Lawrence, said part of the drought mit-igation programme being undertaken is theconstruction of water harvesting ponds inseveral farming communities.

Speaking in an interview with JISNews, Mr. Lawrence said the programmeis being undertaken with support from anumber of donor agencies. We have beenpartnering with some donor agencies to dowater harvesting ponds and this has been

successful. It is not yet at the level wherewe are comfortable, but there are a numberof potential partners that we intend towrite, to see how best, with their support,we can construct some more of theseponds, he said.

Lawrence noted that water harvestingponds have been serving farmers well andin time to come and with new ponds com-ing on stream, the challenges faced byfarmers during periods of drought shouldbe eased significantly.

He said RADA continues to assistfarmers who lose their crops as a result of

a sustained period of drought or even incases where there is flooding. Wheneverthe drought is on, we have a programme inwhich seeds are given to the farmers to re-plant lost crops. We are also engaged in thetrucking of water to such areas as Junction,Southfield, Malvern and Pedro Plains. Weare also working with the farmers to ensurethat measures are put in place to eliminateflooding of their farms, through the con-struction of drains, Mr. Lawrence said.

He added that RADAs sensitizationprogramme regarding drought and floodmitigation is continuing. In order to get

the stakeholders to understand the effectsof these natural disasters and how they canplay a role in preventing (flooding) andhow to use the limited resources well in thecase of a drought, we continue our sensiti-zation programme, Mr. Lawrence noted.

The parish is divided into thirteen ex-tension areas and these are served by ourofficers. We normally do two field daysacross the parish each month, in which wetarget issues directly related to agriculture.A need assessment is done and the neces-sary action is implemented to assist thefarmers, he added.

St. Elizabeth, which is regarded as thebread basket parish of Jamaica, produces22 per cent of the national domestic foodneeds, through fruits and vegetables, poul-try, beef and tubers.

BANANAS FOR BRITAIN:Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries , Roger Clarke; Janet Conie, General manager of the Banana Board andDonovan Stanberry, Permanent Secretary discuss the resumption of banana exports to Britain at the Launch of the Ministry's Export Market Platform held at the Ministry's Hope Gardens headquarters on June 17.

Food SupplyAdequate Minister KellierBy Athaliah Reynolds-Baker

Acting Minister of Agriculture andFisheries, Derrick Kellier, is assur-ing the nation that there is adequate sup-ply of food to meet demand, despite thedrought conditions affecting the island.

Some 4.7 million pounds of Irish po-tatoes are currently in storage, with an-other 50,000 pounds to be reaped fromthe current crop, which is enough to sat-isfy demand for the next two months.The Ministrys projection is that therewill be about a 20 per cent fall off in pro-duction for the July to September quar-ter.

Acting Minister of Agriculture andFisheries, Derrick Kellier, is assuring thenation that there is adequate supply of food to meet demand, despite thedrought conditions affecting the island.

Speaking at a press briefing at theMinistrys Hope Gardens offices in St.Andrew on July 29, Kellier said that thecountry has sufficient tubers, bananas,and plantains.

In addition, some 4.7 million poundsof Irish potatoes are currently in storage,with another 50,000 pounds to be reapedfrom the current crop, which is enoughto satisfy demand for the next twomonths.

He is therefore urging Jamaicans notto panic. Let me say categorically that

there is no need for the kind of hysteriabeing perpetuated, Minister Kelliersaid.

He noted however, that vegetableswill be more susceptible to the impact of the drought, pointing out that the Min-istrys projection is that there will beabout a 20 per cent fall off in productionfor the July to September quarter.

Fortuitously, this happens to coin-cide with the low demand period in thehotel industry, which is a major con-sumer of these products, he said.

Kellier said within this context, theMinistry is encouraging and incentivis-ing farmers supplied by its irrigation sys-tems and in areas with adequate rainfall

and other water resources to ramp upvegetable production.

RADA Ramps Up Water HarvestingProgram in St. Elizabeth

Marvin Lawrence,Deputy RADA Parish Manager,

St. Elizabeth

Derrick KellierActing Minister of

Agriculture and Fisheries


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NEWS

Minister Clarkeon Medical Leave

Agriculture Minister, Roger Clarkeleave the island last week-end forthe United States of America where hewill undergo surgery and medical treat-ment for a back condition.

According to a release from the officeof the Prime Minister, the Minister hasassured Prime Minister Portia SimpsonMiller that based on the best advice of his doctors and the nature of the opera-tion to be performed he is expected tomake a full and timely recovery.

In the meantime, the Prime Ministerhas assigned Labour and Social Security

Minister, Derrick Kellier to assume theduties of the Agriculture Minister. Whileoverseas on medical leave, MinisterClarke will maintain ongoing contact withMinister Kellier in order to ensure thatthere is full continuity of focus on the pri-orities of the Agriculture Ministry.

The Prime Minister has extended every good wish to Minister Clarke fora successful treatment and a speedy return to active duties.

Agriculture MinisterRoger Clarke

leaves the island for themedical treatment in theUnited States of America

The opposition Jamaica Labour Partys(JLP), spokesperson on Agriculture,

JC Hutchinson, says there is a shortage of some agricultural produce despite a pro-nouncement by acting Agriculture Minis-ter Derrick Kellier on Tuesday.

According to Hutchinson these includeescallion, thyme, onion, cabbage, lettuce,pepper, pumpkin and pineapple.

Because there is a shortage of quite anumber of products, when you look at theamount of produce produced around here(St. Elizabeth) and when you are findingnothing, there has to be a shortage.

He said this has led to price increases.Its supply and demand, once there is

a glut, prices go down, once there is a

shortage, the process go up. For the pricesto be going up there has to be a shortage thats logic! But I dont think this actingMinister understands the situation."

Hutchinson has also questioned reportsof growth in the agricultural sector.

How can there be growth and produc-tion has fallen so rapidly. St. Elizabeth isthe breadbasket and St. Elizabeth is hardlyproducing anything at this time, how canyou have growth.

President of the Jamaica AgriculturalSociety (JAS) Senator Norman Grant, onTuesday revealed that despite the chal-lenges the sector grew by 18 percent dur-ing the January to March quarter.

Meanwhile, the National Environmentand Planning Agency (NEPA) will use theDenbigh Agricultural and Industrial Showto share practical ways in which the agri-cultural sector can cope with drought con-ditions.

NEPA says a major component of itsdisplay will be a demonstration plot fea-turing drought resistant crops and infor-mation for farmers and backyardgardeners.

The importance of water conservationand rainwater harvesting will also be high-lighted.

Drought-induced foodshortage confirmed

Jamaica facingfood shortage - JLP

JC Hutchinson

JLP spokesperson on Agriculture

Jamaica's Ministry of Agriculture has con-cluded an assessment, which confirms ashortage of several food items, includingvegetables, due to the protracted dry spell.

Checks were carried out by teams fromthe Ministry, following reports that farmingareas have been hit hard by the sharp de-cline in rainfall.

Donovan Stanberry, Permanent Secre-tary in the Agriculture Ministry, disclosedsome of the findings of the assessment, dur-ing an interview with RJR News. He listedcarrot, lettuce, tomato, onion and zucchiniamong the vegetables now in short supply.

This, according to Stanberry, wassomewhat inevitable, due to the length andseverity of the drought. He suggested that,in light of the current shortage of some pro-duce, consumers might have to considerfood substitutes, as a short term measure.

Meanwhile, despite the shortage, Stan-berry disclosed that no application has beenreceived for permits to import agriculturalproduce. This, he has attributed to the pro-hibitive price of some imported items, andthe fact that the tourism sector, which is thelargest consumer of vegetables in Jamaica,is currently in its off-peak season.

In the interim, the Agriculture Ministryis pursuing strategies to ease the impact of

the dry spell on agricultural production.This drought mitigation strategy is

aimed, not only at preserving and recover-ing the crops in drought stricken areas," butalso to expand production in areas acrossthe country "which are getting adequatesupply of rainfall," he said.

The intention was to make up for theshortfall that might occur in the droughtstricken areas, as much as possible, headded.

Courtesy of radiojamaica.com

Donovan Stanberry,Permanent SecretaryAgriculture Ministry


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U.S. Ackee Ban Remains In EffectBy NAN STAFF WRITER

News Americas,WASHINGTON, D.C

W hile many Jamaican nationals maylook forward with longing to ackeeand saltfish this Easter weekend, the U.S.Food and Drug Administration is recom-mending seizure or import refusal of canned, frozen and other ackee products.

The ackee fruit which is harvestedfrom the ackee tree (Blighia sapida), is na-tive to West Africa, but is also found inCentral and South America, manyCaribbean countries including Jamaica,and southern Florida.

It contains the toxin hypoglycin A,which drops to negligible levels in the ed-ible portion of the fruit when it is fullyripe,, making them safe to consume . How-ever, the rind and seeds still have high lev-els of hypoglycin A when the fruit is fullyripe and should not be consumed.

When the product is improperlyprocessed, concentrations can rise above100 parts per million (ppm) and pose ahealth risk. The ingestion of hypoglycin Amay result in no symptoms or symptoms

that range from some vomiting to severevomiting with profound hypoglycemia,drowsiness, muscular exhaustion, prostra-tion, and possibly coma and death.

In issuing final guidance on enforce-ment criteria for Ackee, the FDA said its

district offices may detain, without physi-cal examination, all ackee products offeredfor import.

The exception will be for those firmsthat are identified on a Green List, whichaccording to the FDA have demonstrated

that they have food safety controls in placeto ensure that only properly ripened ack-ees, without seeds or rind, are included infinished products.

They are Fruit Processors Ltd. of Be-

lize, Antillean Canning S.A. of Haiti andfrom Jamaica: Ashman Food ProductsLtd., Canco Limited, Central Food Pack-ers Ltd., Double Deuce Jamaica Ltd., Ex-otic Products Jamaica Limited, IslandPackers, Southern Fruits & Food Proces-sors Ltd., Stanmark Processors CompanyLimited, Tijule Company Ltd. and WestBest Foods Limited.

Canned, frozen and other ackee prod-ucts are marketed in the U.S., largely topeople from Caribbean cultures, and mostof the products are imported from Jamaica,Belize and Haiti.

In recent years, there has been interestby a processor in Florida to market ackeeproducts in interstate commerce.

Persons wishing to comment on thefinal Compliance Policy Guide (CPG) rul-ing may submit electronic or written com-ments to the FDA at 12420 ParklawnDrive, Rockville, MD 20857.

Ackee and salt fish isa delicacy in Jamaica.

TRADE NEWS

Starbucks lags in coffeebuying despite market dip

Starbucks revealed it had remained behindlast year in fixing ahead its coffee costs,despite the retreat in prices since April,

adding that a boost from lower values wasnear its end.The US-based group, the world's biggest

coffee-shop chain, said that it had pricedahead some 60% of its bean needs for itsnext financial year, which begins in October.

That is above the 40% it had priced in asof its last investor update, in April, when itrevealed it had slowed its purchases as fu-tures soared, lifted by drought in Brazilwhich cut sharply expectations for this year'sharvest from the top producing country.

However, it is behind the 80% it hadpriced forward, for the 2013-14 financialyear, as of a year ago.

Coffee costsNew York Arabica coffee futures have

fallen some 14%, on a front contract basis,

since Starbucks' April update, but remainsome 40% higher year on year.Starbucks said that its coffee costs for its

next financial year were, thus far, around thelevels of a year before, although the final billwould depend on the future course of prices.

"We have about 60% of our coffee needsprice locked for next year, and those pricesare roughly flat to this year, up perhaps littlebit," Scott Maw, the group's chief financialofficer, said.

"Where we actually end up for the year,we still think that it will be roughly neutral,but it will depend on how we lock in that last40%.

"So right now, we're thinking neutral,

perhaps up to a little bit. If coffee pricescome down, there may be an opportunity toease that a bit."

Higher marginsA return to flat coffee costs would end aperiod of lower bean bills which have sup-ported a rise in group profits.

The group's channel development busi-ness reported a 13% rise to $375.3m in salesin the April-to-June quarter, but a 45% jumpto $139.5m in operating profits, as "operat-ing margin increased 800 basis points to37.1%, primarily due to lower coffee costsand improved inventory management".

Group earnings rose 23% to $512.6m,equivalent to $0.67 per share, marginallyahead of Wall Street expectations on rev-enues up 11% at $4.15bn, helped also by in-creased US food sales.

SAC membersproduced 1/2 Mtonnes of suga r

A s the 2013/2014 sugar crop in theCaribbean winds down, Jamaica,Belize, Barbados and Guyana have pro-duced just under 500,000 tonnes of thecommodity, up to the end of June. TheSugar Association of the Caribbean(SAC) says year-to-date production fig-ure is 499,272 tonnes.

Guyana was the lead producer with218,708 tonnes, followed by Jamaicawith 152,868 tonnes. Belize was in thirdplace with 113,337 tonnes and Barbados14,359 tons.

Last month Belize was the lead pro-ducer followed by Jamaica.

The crop in Jamaica is expected toend this month.

In the meantime, the SAC has re-vealed that, for the current sugar crop,regional producers have exported291,524 tonnes of the sweetener. Thebulk of the exports went to the EuropeanUnion, followed by CARICOM andother markets.

Jamaica will this month dispatch itsfinal cargo to the EU for 2013/2014.

Karl James, Chairman of the SAC,says Caribbean producers are now con-sidering how they will dispose of sugarproduced in the future, in light of the de-pressed EU market.

-------------------------------

Coffee derailedJamaica's coffee production target thisyear could be derailed due to the ef-fects of the worsening dry spell.

There had been a forecast of a 15 percent increase in production this year, butaccording to Senator Norman Grant,President of the Jamaica AgriculturalSociety (JAS), the circumstances havechanged.

He said that a meeting will be heldnext month with stakeholders to reassessthe situation. This, he said, will allowmembers to "look at all our numbers,and then we will be able to inddicate ex-actly what the crop size will be."

Having done that, he said, it will thenbe possible to estimate "what sort of costor loss is associated with the longdrought we are experiencing."

------------------------------------------

Food import dips

Jamaica's food import bill dipped byfive per cent in the first quarter of theyear.

According to the Statistical Institute of Jamaica (Statin) food imports for thequarter were valued at US$252 million.That was $14 million less than was spentduring the similar period last year.

Te decline was due to lower importsof cereals, dairy products, eggs, coffee,tea, cocoa, spices, vegetables and fruits.

Monsanto, a company best noted for ge-netically modified seed, has madequite a flourish from engineering its balancesheet too.

The world's biggest seed group has beenpressed by shareholders to stop running at anet cash position, and run with borrowings,like most of its peers.

It is not difficult to see why. Introducinga net debt target of 1.5 times earnings beforeinterest, tax, depreciation and amortisation(ebitda) has put shareholders in line for quite

a windfall.

Cash to spendTo get a measure of it, consider that

Monsanto ran in its last financial year with anet cash positioning equivalent to 0.4 timesebitda.

Adjusting to its new target means the re-lease of some $10bn, assuming the ebitda of $5.3bn next year that analysts have factoredin.

And that's before the net cash flows of some $3bn a year that the company is throw-ing off. The new share buyback of $10bn

that these funds are supporting should win itquite a few friends.

Earnings multiplierOf course, there is the risk their loyalty

may wane as the buyback pot - to be spentover the next two years - runs d ry. But Mon-santo has helped give them an incentive tohang on by spending funds on buyingshares, rather than splashing out on, say, araised dividend.

The group also on Wednesday revealed atarget to double, at least, its profits by 2019- a feat not nearly so tricky when earningsare measured per share, and Monsanto is

buying its stock by the hatful.

Monsanto's financial revamplooks better than Syngenta deal


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THE JAMAICA 4-To Make The Best Better

Providing Training For TheNation's Youths (Age 5-25)

Creating Better Leaders For Tomorrow

THE JAMAICA 4-H CLUBS95 Old Hope Road, Kingston 6, Jamaica WI

Tel: 927-4050-2 Fax: 978-3209E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.jamaica4hclubs.com

. Attorney-at-law Aaron Parkeand former permanent secre-tary, Ministry of Agriculturechairs and IICA Representativein Trinidad and Tobago was re-

cently appointed to chair theAgri Investment CorporationLimited board of directors, re-placing Dennis Hickey.

Agricultural consultant, HughGraham , is the CEO, JamaicaDairy Development Board.

People in Agriculture

Dermon Spence , Chief TechnicalDirector at the Ministry of Agricul-ture and Fisheries. He previouslyserved as National Programme Di-rector at Heart.

Christopher Gentles the formerCEO of Coffee Board has been theGeneral Manager-Farms of JPTropical- Farms, a subsidiary Ja-maica Producers Group Limited.

Ronald Blake, executive directorJamaica 4-H Clubs replacingLenworth Fulton who is now theCEO of Rural Agriculturl Develop-ment Authority (RADA).

Send staff info:

[email protected]

KINGSTON, Jamaica:

Senator Norman Grant President of theJAS says, The Jamaica AgriculturalSocietys Board of Management and ourover 220,000 farmers in Jamaica salute thework and life of the late Most HonorableSir Howard Cooke, who served as Gover-nor General of Jamaica between 1991-2006 and an extended period of service tothe country numbering well over 65 years.

His work to country and his commitmentto the Agricultural sector has made him abeloved son of Jamaica Land in whom weas Jamaican here and aboard are wellpleased.

As President of the Jamaica Agricul-tural Society (JAS) and Chairman of theDenbigh Show Committee, I will recom-mend to the Board of the JAS and the Na-tional Denbigh Show Committee that ourLate Governor General, for his sterlingwork to the Agricultural Sector, be in-ducted in the JAS Hall of Fame and alsobe recognized with the Denbigh LifetimeAchievement Award during the upcomingDenbigh Show Senator Grant committed.This gesture of appreciation dims in com-

parison to his sterling contribution to theJAS and its activities, as for all the 15years as Governor General, he nevermissed any staging of the Denbigh Agri-cultural, Industrial and Food Show. He hastruly remained very committed to the Den-bigh product and Experience.

Senator Grant says, Sir HowardCooke placed a very important role on there-introduction of the Kingston and St An-drew Agricultural Show in 1992 after 25years of absence. He provided guidanceand support to very President of the JASduring his tenure as Governor General andwas an inspiration to the farmers of Ja-maica. He was also very instruct mental inthe introduction of rabbit wearing in theJamaica 4 H Movement by donation rab-

bits to the Jamaica 4 H Clubs to weariedand use in the rabbit revolving problem foryoung clubites. His farm at Kings House

was an inspiration to the farmers and agreat example as Head of State. SirHoward truly believed that the childrenare Jamaicas future and he thereforedemonstrated this at the very highest level.

Senator Grant relayed that the EatWhat We Grow Campaign, launched in2003 under his leadership, was not onlyendorsed by Sir Howard Cooke but wassupported by him in subsequent years. Forhis dedication to the JAS and the farmers,his commitment to the campaign and as apublic sign of recognition and apprecia-tion for his invaluable support, he was rec-ognized at the 10thAnniversary of thelaunch of the campaign, through the pres-entation of Eat Jamaican Campaign 10thGold Medal.

JAS/farmers salute thelate Sir Howard Cooke

Howard Felix Hanlan Cooke,(November 13, 1915 July 11, 2014)

Former Governor-General of JamaicaAugust 1, 1991- February 15, 2006


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REVITALIZATION OFTHE DAIRY SECTOR

The Dairy Sector Revitalization Programme has givencritical support to the industry since its launch in 2008.

PROJECT FOCUSMaking available low cost loans and grants to farmers through the DBJ/PC Bank network for working capitalsupport.

LOAN COMPONENTBeef and dairy farmers have benefited from loans totaling $64 M for pasture development; purchasing breedingstock; and upgrading farm equipment.

CAPACITY BUILDING COMPONENTAssistance provided through farmers organizations include: The re-introduction of a National Milk RecordingProgramme in collaboration with the Jamaica Hope Cattle Breeders Society; Allocationof mastitis testing kitsand computers to aid participating farmers in National Milk Recording Programme.

GRANT SUPPORT PROGRAMMEAssist in building local capacity in Embryo Transfer Technique; Capacity building support to BDPAJ in the de-velopment of an operational plan for the management of cluster farms and engagement of pre-project consul-tancy; Initiation of a collaborative research project with UWI, St Augustine to develop an island-wide nutritionalprofile of Jamaica pastures, upgrade the Forage Analytical Laboratory at Bodles; and Approval of grants fund-ing to enable restoration of milk collection facility at Rhymesfield Cooperative. Support the establishment of amilk testing reference laboratory at the Bodles Research Station.

For further information contract:JAMAICA DAIRY DEVELOPMENT BOARD

Ministry of Agriculture and FisheriesHope Gardens, Kingston 6

Tel: (876) 618-7107 Fax (876)977-9230

Email: [email protected]


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Over $1B in Economic Benefits from Denbigh 62

An important feature of Den-bigh 2014 will be a salute to thelate former Governor-General,Howard Cooke.

Chairman of the DenbighPlanning Committee, SenatorNorman Grant, is predicting over$1 billion in economic benefitsfrom Denbigh 2014.

The 62nd staging of the Den-bigh Agricultural, Industrial andFood Show will take place fromFriday, August 1 to Sunday, Au-gust 3 under the theme: GrowWhat We EatEat What WeGrow, with the sub-theme:AgricultureGoing forGrowth.

Addressing a JIS Think Tankon Monday, July 28, Grant, whois also President of the JamaicaAgricultural Society (JAS), saidapproximately $75 million will bespent to stage the three-day event,which is the largest of its kind inthe English-speaking Caribbean.It is money that the Senator be-lieves will be well spent.

Notwithstanding thedrought, there will be adequatesupplies of produce from rightacross the island to have a majorshow. This year, we have thegreenhouse competition; so weare looking to the greenhouse andthe irrigated farming areas, hesaid.

Patrons will be given the op-portunity to experience the Den-bigh Hubs formerly calledvillages.

These will include theTourism Linkage Hub, which willhighlight and promote the collab-oration between the agricultureand tourism sectors. There willalso be a Health and WellnessHub, with over eight participatingentities offering medical servicesfree of cost.

An important feature of Den-bigh 2014 will be a salute to thelate former Governor-General,the Most Hon. Sir HowardCooke, who died on July 11. Acondolence book will be openedto allow patrons to sign and paytheir respects to Sir Howard, whowas a regular show attendee.

Senator Grant also informedthat there will be a strong interna-tional contingent at the show thisyear. Over 50 delegates from theUnited States of America,Canada, and the Caribbean, areexpected to participate in theDenbigh Symposium, amongother activities.

The inaugural Denbigh Floatand Torch will take place onThursday, July 31, starting in Half -Way- Tree and travelling throughPortmore, Spanish Town, andMandeville, culminating at theDenbigh Showground.

The main objectives of theDenbigh Agricultural, Industrialand Food Show are: to promotethe agricultural sector; display thebest foods produced in Jamaica;and highlight the importance of agriculture to food security, busi-ness development and nationbuilding.

Governor-General, PatrickAllen, is expected to attend theAugust 1 opening; Acting Minis-ter of Agriculture and Fisheries,Derrick Kellier will be in atten-dance on August 2; and PrimeMinister, Portia Simpson Miller isscheduled to attend on August 3.

Gates will open daily at 8:00a.m. each day and admission is$800 for adults and $300 for chil-dren.

By Judith A. Hunter, [email protected]

Chairman of the Denbigh Planning Committee, Senator Nor-man Grant, is predicting over $1 billion in economic benefitsfrom Denbigh 2014. The 62nd staging of the Denbigh Agricul-tural, Industrial and Food Show will take place from Friday, Au-gust 1 to Sunday, August 3 under the theme: Grow What WeEatEat What We Grow.

Norman Grant Chairman, DenbighPlanning Committee

JAS president


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A s patron of the Jamaica AgriculturalSociety I take great pleasure in wel-coming everyone to the Sixty-Second An-nual Denbigh Agricultural Show.

The JASs rich tradition of promotingagriculture through shows and fairs datesback to the Kendal Show held in Man-chester in 1895.

This has kept the spotlight on the localagricultural sector and promoted aware-ness of its ongoing significance to our eco-nomic development.

Parish shows and agro-festivals areheld throughout the year, but the DenbighAgricultural Show is the crme of thecrop. It is at this time of year that locals aswell as Jamaicans in the Diaspora flock tothe Denbigh Show Ground in Clarendon

for this delightful family event.We pay tribute to the champions of agriculture in the parish of Clarendon whoworked tirelessly to establish the founda-tion on which this agricultural show wascreated.

I believe the Denbigh AgriculturalShow is in many respects a display of re-silience, achievement and justifiable prideby our local farmers who year after yeardefy the odds to meet the growing demandfor agricultural produce. On behalf of allJamaicans I extend gratitude to our farmersand applaud their contribution to the de-velopment of our nation. Let us honourthem and help make development happen,by heeding the call of the Jamaica Agri-

cultural Society to "Eat What We...GrowWhat We Eat."

A rich tradition of promoting agriculture

Let me say how pleased I am that as acountry we are able to once again or-ganize the largest and most renowned agri-cultural show in the English-speakingCaribbean. The magnitude and significanceof the Denbigh Agricultural Show, now inits 62nd annual staging is neither to be un-derestimated nor taken for granted.

We are indeed proud that the DenbighAgricultural Show has become a nationalexcellence brand and highly anticipated andsignificant feature of our Emancipation andIndependence celebrations.

I have every confidence that as wegather on these famous Clarendon show-ground for this years staging, the expecta-tions of exhibitors and patrons alike will besurpassed by the rich variety of activitiesand displays of home-ground produce andservices which we have come to associatewith the Denbigh brand. The Show themegrow what we eat and eat what we growremains as relevant today as ever.

With agriculture a most significant pil-lar, to the extent that Jamaicans heed thiscall can only serve to positively impact thepursuit of our strategic growth and devel-opment priorities. With its high level of in-tegration, significant linkages to othersectors, and multiplier effect, agriculture

provides sustenance and stability to the na-tional economy and society, the well-beingof our rural communities, and importantly,to the lives and livelihoods of thousands of Jamaicans.

I congratulate all the stakeholders,

among them the Jamaica Agricultural Soci-ety, the Ministry of Agriculture and ourfamers, who year after year, put in so much

time, effort and energy to ensure the Den-bigh Agricultural Show is a success, as youcontinue to open new doors of opportuni-ties in areas of global trade; tourism link-ages, health and wellness, the environmentand the involvement of youth.

With every good wish for a successful2014 Denbigh Agricultural Show.-Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller

The most renowned agricultural show

Patrick AllenGovernor-General

Each year during our emancipation andindependence celebrations we pause torecognise and highlight the work of ourover 200,000 farmers as they showcasetheir products at the Denbigh AgriculturalShow.

This event, known as the premier agri-cultural show in the Caribbean, provides uswith an opportunity to focus attention onthe agricultural sector, which is critical to

the well-being of ourselves and our nation.As we all know, the agricultural sector

is critical to the national drive for sustain-able growth and development.

In fact, Jamaicas current economic en-vironment has placed even more emphasison the agricultural sector. The sector re-mains an important contributor to thecountrys gross domestic product.

I wish to commend all our farmers, es-pecially our small farmers, who have beenresilient in the face of the many challenges

the sector has been facing, including theextended drought, and have contributed

significantly to the 14% increase in do-mestic food crops in the last quarter of 2013.

On behalf of the Ministry of Agricul-ture and Fisheries, I congratulate the farm-ers, the Jamaica Agricultural Society andall the participants in this the 62nd An-niversary of the Denbigh AgriculturalShow.

Roger ClarkeMinister of Agriculture

Prime Minister Portia Simpson Miller pets day-oldchicks with JAS president Norman grant

DenbighHistoryThe Denbigh Agricultural and Indus-trial Show is a hallmark event thathas been embedded in the unique cultureand the broad fabrics of the Jamaicanpeople from as early as 1953 to present.

Situated on twenty nine hectares of picturesque lands at May Pen, Claren-don, the Denbigh Show comes to life forthree days of pulsating activities offeringwholesome entertainment to over sixtythousand patrons that have been attend-ing the event on an annual basis.

Spirits have been lifted and enthusi-asm built for the unforgettable experi-ence of the grand Exposition that hasbeen renowned for promoting the farm-ers livelihood, i.e. the finest quality agri-cultural produce from varied commoditygroups, its value added products, indus-trial and technological equipment frommain stakeholders affiliated within theagricultural sector.

As is traditionally expected, each dayof the show is especially dedicated to aparticular Government Official who ad-dresses the audience or patrons.

Many of these invited guests whohave made valid contributions to theShows experience include: Governor of Puerto Rico in 1955, the former Gover-nor Generals Sir Clifford Campbell, SirFlorizel Glasspole, Sir Howard Cooke,Professer Sir Kenneth Hall and the pres-ent Governor General Sir Patrick Allen.

Heads of Governments who also at-tended the show were Sir AlexanderBustamante, Rt. Hon. Norman Manley,Rt. Hon. Hugh Shearer, Sir DonaldSangster, Rt. Hon. Michael Manley, Rt.Hon. Edward Seaga, The Most. Hon. P.JPatterson, Most Hon. Portia SimpsonMiller and Most Hon. Bruce Goldinghave all supported and assisted in thepromotion of this historical event.

Special attention has consistentlybeen placed on the Champion Farmerand Young Champion Farmers Compe-tition that showcases farmers who haveexcelled in cutting edged farm practices.

The National Farm Queen Competi-tion is another main event that providesa spark of elegance and class to theevent and the promotion of women inagriculture.

For sustainable growth and development

Jamaicas #1Farmers Newspaper

THE AGRICULTURALISTReaches More Farmers

Book your adverttoday...923-7471


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The National Farm QueenCompetition is an event thatoccurs during the annual DenbighAgricultural & Industrial Show.Over the years the show has expe-rienced tremendous growth.

The National Farm Queenepitomizes grace, personality, in-telligence, the right values, and at-titudes all capsulated byagricultural knowledge.

She represents the agricultural

sector for one year and thereforemust be cognizant of the issues af-fecting the sector.

The competition begins at theparish level, where a parish queenis selected based on the followingcriterion:

Every contestant must be acurrent member of a JAS branchwithin the parish she is represent-ing.

Should have attained at thevery least a high school certificate.

Should be a resident for at least2 years in the parish from whichshe is competing; but should notbe confined to the job location.Discretion must be used

Should be involved in the op-eration of the home and farm andat the same time have fair knowl-edge

Should not be less than 18years or more than 35 years at thetime of parish judging and who

may be single or marriedShould be a Jamaican citizenAt the national level the ladies are

judged in three stages by three setsof judges.

Technical Judging (Agricul-tural & Home Economics knowl-edge)

Social Graces, Deportment andIntelligence.

Culture and Current Affairs.

Eat what we grow..Grow what we eatOver the past five years Noranda Jamaica Bauxite Partners has been leading the

charge to transform agriculture by sharing greenhouse technology and spearheadingthe building of fifty greenhouses for small farmers in our mining areas.

We call it the greenhouse revolution helping to feed our nation

Noranda Jamaica Bauxite PartnerDiscovery Bay, St. Ann, Jamaica WIPhone: (876) 973-2221-5www.norandaaluminum.com/st-ann-bauxite-mine.php

FARM QUEENS: National Queen Nordia Lewin (c) with (l-r) 2nd place runner-up, Tahera Brown and1st place runner-up Lashaun Lugg

Farm queens epitomize,

grace, personalityand intelligence


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Dr. Peter Nelson,PhD at age 25

ACHIEVEMENTSecondary Dry Season

The period July to September annuallyrepresents the islands secondary dry sea-son, with the primary dry season span-ning the months of December throughMarch. As the island continues to experi-ence a protracted period of minimal norainfall, the Office of Disaster Prepared-ness and Emergency Management(ODPEM) wishes to remind the publicthat water storage, conservation and pu-rification are critical.Water conservation for indoor and out-door activities, especially during the sum-mer when children are home on holidaysis advised.

Water Conservation tips Turn the faucet/tap off while you arebrushing your teeth, shaving, washingyour hands and doing dishes Wait until you have a full load of clothesbefore you wash a load. Check your plumbing for leaks. A silenttoilet leak could waste from 30 to 500gallons every day Take shorter showers. Challenge your-self to cut down your showering time Use waste water or gray water from thebath and washing machines on the gar-den. Make sure to use your toilet appropri-ately. Don't flush every time. Report any leaks you observed in the

public domain.Water Purification Tips

Bleach For each liter of water, add 2drops of chlorine bleach, stir thoroughlyand allow to sit for 30 minutes beforedrinking Boiling bring water to boil for at least5 minutes, allow to cool, then consume Purification Tablets prepackagedwater purification tablets (available fromlocal pharmacies) can be added to tapwater to remove impurities Bottled Water is also a reliable source of treated waterWater Storage Water can be stored for a very long timeif prepared properly. It is recommended that you have twogallons of water per person per day. Try tostore a minimum of a 3-day supply. Light and air are not good for water. Forlong term storage, always try to useopaque, airtight containers and store themin cool, dark spaces. It is recommended that you rotate yourwater for freshness and check on yourwater supply every month to ensure thatleaks or contamination have not occurred. Water containers can be stored in manydifferent places such as closets, cup-boards, underneath tables, etc.

Contact- Cheryl NIchols, ODPEM;[email protected];

Tel: 1 (876-399-1627

Peter NelsonGets PhD at 25

By Sonja Simms

Recently the nation was introduced to our

latest shining star, Dr. Peter Nelson, ayoung man who obtained his PhD at 25years old and has gone on to pursue furtherresearch work in Israel.

It was only in 2005 that Dr. Nelsongraced the hallowed grounds of the Collegeof Agriculture, Science and Education(CASE), pursuing his Associate of Sciencedegree in Natural Science before continuingto attain this great feat.

The college community joins Dr. Nel-son, his family and the nation in celebratingthis achievement and would like the recordto reflect the distinguish tradition of excel-lence of the CASE.

The College is known to perpetuate atradition of excellence steeped in a rich his-

torical legacy of predecessor institutions,dating back to 1910 and started at the Uni-versity of Technology in Papine, St. Andrewand was then known as the GovernmentFarm School.

In 1942 the institution was relocated tothe site of the Police Academy at Twicken-ham Park in Spanish Town and named theJamaica School of Agriculture (JSA), by1981 it moved to its current location in Pass-ley Gardens, Portland and re-named the Col-lege of Agriculture (COA).

The metamorphosis continued in 1995when it became prudent for the Governmentof Jamaica, at the time, to merge the Collegeof Agriculture with, the then, Passley Gar-dens Teachers College (PGTC) that was justnext door and founded in 1981. At themerger the Faculty of Science was addedand all faculty and staff were on-board forthe renewed ethos of offering a world-classeducation to the people of Jamaica, theCaribbean and those beyond these shores.

DISASTER PREPAREDNESS


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the agriculturalist newspaper (denbigh)-august 2014

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