The Role of the Agricultural Sector 

• IICA Annual Report 2009:  IICA's Contribution to Development of Agriculture and Rural Communities in Jamaica. www.iica.int/Eng/regiones/caribe/jamaica/IICA%20Office%20Publications/Annual%20Report%20-%202009
  %20IICA%20Jamaica.pdf

Public Sector

• Rural Agricultural Development Authority, RADA (116 extension staff in 2009) www.rada.gov.jm

Mission Statement:  The mission of RADA is to promote agricultural production as the main engine of growth in rural communities; provide or ensure the provision of technical, marketing, financial and infrastructual facilities and provide the social services required for the improvement of the quality of life of farm families.

The broad objectives of RADA are to:

1. Provide a technical advisory extension service aimed at encouraging and promoting agricultural practices that will facilitate self-sustaining growth and development within the farming community;
2. Contribute to the attractiveness of agriculture as a business and to rural living as a whole;
3. Influence policy action that speaks to rural development;
4. Increase production and productivity, thereby enhancing growth and development within the agricultural sector;
5. Stem environmental degradation in general and in critical watershed areas in particular and to pursue development strategies aimed at achieving long term conservation objectives and promoting efficient use of natural resources;
6. Reduce unemployment and under employment, and minimize rural/urban migration by creating increased employment opportunities in agriculture and related activities.
7. Expose rural women to skill training opportunities in agro-processing, the culinary arts and business management with a view to preparing them either for employment or to operate their own business;
8. Develop an integrated approach to rural development through the fostering of operational linkages with other organizations concerned with rural development;
9. Attract more young people to agriculture by establishing linkages with schools and the 4-H movement.

(retrieved from http://www.moa.gov.jm/about/agencies/rada.php on 5/17/2011)

Non-Governmental Organizations

Farmer Based Organization

Private Sector Organization or Firm

ICT Applications in Extension

• Agricultural Business Information System
  www.abisjamaica.com.jm
  

Success Stories

• Promoting increased cocoa production in Jamaica, http://www.acdivoca.org/site/ID/news-ACDI-VOCA-Leaders-Tout-Cocoas-Promise-in-Jamaica