More say for women in agriculture
Published:Thursday | January 7, 2021 | 12:17 AMNadine Wilson-Harris/Staff Reporter
Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Floyd Green promises that there will be more programmes and resources specifically targeted towards female farmers in 2021 as part of efforts to get more women engaged in the sector.
Green said most of the recently appointed boards in the sector are now made up of at least 30 per cent women. These include the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), the Coconut Industry Board, the Agro-Investment Corporation, the Veterinary Board and the National Irrigation Commission Board.
“What we are also going to do is that we are going to do that across the parish boards; so for an entity like RADA, we have parish advisory committees and not only are we going to have the 30 per cent, but I’ve said to the president of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women Producers (JNRWP) that we are going to have a representative from her organisation on all of the parish boards,” he said, noting that this should start taking place thus month.
“I think we have some very strong women in agriculture presently. I think part of what we have to do is tell a little bit more of their story so that it can inspire other women,” the minister told The Gleaner.
Pointing to studies that indicate that women and youth have greater challenges in agriculture, Green said that about 30 per cent of a $30-million grant that was given by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) will be reserved for them. The money is to go towards an excess buyback programme for eastern parishes.
“Oftentimes, they have more difficulty getting technical services. Oftentimes, they have greater difficulty accessing capital. So part of what we are doing is that we are coordinating specific programmes to tap into and to appeal specifically to women and youth,” he said.
JNRWP President Tamisha Lee said the RADA board will have a broader and more inclusive perspective with the inclusion of her organisation.
With such a move, “the issues that are pertinent to women in the agricultural sector can be directly considered,” she said.
“Women represent a very large portion of the agriculture sector being involved in all stages of the agricultural value chain. This significant portion of the agricultural community will be represented,” said Lee.