Twenty
four farmers representing all parishes will be vying for the National Champion
Farmer title, which will be awarded on Sunday 6 at the Presidential Pavilion
at this year's Denbigh Agricultural and Industrial Show in May Pen, Clarendon.
Manager of Field Services for the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), Sharon Leslie, said that the National Champion Farmer competition began more than 50 years ago to encourage farmers to operate their farms competently. The application of strict rules on record keeping, performance, efficiency and innovativeness came later in 1966.
The competition is divided into the categories of: Best Cocoa Farmer; Best Pig Farmer; Best Banana Farmer; Best Coffee Farmer; Most Innovative Farmer; Best Farmer in 'D' Class (over 100 acres); Best Layout of Farm; Best Suitability of Crops; Best Livestock; Best Labour; Best Marketing; Best Tools/Equipment; Best Financing - on loan and/or self financing, use of money; and Best Records.
