Hague Agricultural Show cancelled, disappointed farmers express understanding

Western Bureau:

With farmers in western Jamaica still reeling from the devastating impact of Hurricane Melissa, which made landfall three months ago, a decision has been taken to cancel this year’s staging of the annual Hague Agricultural Show.

The show, which is the premier agricultural event in Trelawny, is normally staged on Ash Wednesday, showcasing the best of the region’s farm produce and livestock against a backdrop of rich cultural features. This year’s cancellation is the second in six years, as it was also cancelled in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We have had meetings with farmers and our usual sponsors, and it was decided that the money that it would take to stage the show would be better used helping the farmers to rebound after Hurricane Melissa,” said Jamaica Agricultural Society President Deron Grant.

In addition, Grant said that based on the level of devastation caused by the hurricane, the farmers are not yet fully back on track with their produce.

“Farmers would find it difficult to find suitable products for display and sale,” said Grant, who noted that he felt one of the main purposes of staging the event, renowned for attracting bumpers crowds, would be undermined.

Noting that attending the show is something he always looks forward to, horticulturist Clifton Davy said that while he was somewhat disappointed, he fully understood the reasoning behind the cancellation.

“I am disappointed because I always look forward to the show each year, because I would make some money there. However, with the destruction caused by Melissa, we recognised it would be difficult to rebound so quickly,” said Davy.

Claudette Anderson, an enterprising farmer from the Deeside community, also in Trelawny, was hoping there would be a way to salvage the show and is disappointed that it will not happen this year.

“I always make a little money from the sale of my products from coconuts. If you make $5,000 in profit, it can help put your pot on the fire,” she said.

“I hope things will get back on track next year.”

In addition to the customary showcasing of livestock, local produce, plants, flowers and the display of innovation in agriculture, the show is a place where major agriculture announcements are made by the Ministry of Agriculture.

“I was looking forward to hearing from the minister of agriculture (Floyd Green) about what are his plans to resuscitate farming in the hills of south Trelawny, because Melissa treated us very bad,” said yam farmer Ian Frater.

“Things not looking bright for the smaller farmers, because it is like back-to-back hits from Hurricane Beryl and Hurricane Melissa.”

editorial@gleanerjm.com