Special display planned for Jamaica Hope, Red at Denbigh

Christopher Serju, Gleaner Writer

DENBIGH, Clarendon:

WITH THE Jamaica Hope and Jamaica Red Poll Cattle Breeders' associations both celebrating their 60th anniversary, this year's livestock display at the annual Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial, and Food Show is expected to be very impressive, with more than 400 animals, including small ruminants and pigs, on display.

The Jamaica Hope, described as the greatest success story in dairy cattle breeding in the region, has gained recognition worldwide, and this achievement paved the way for the development of the Jamaica Red.

In order to showcase this legacy, a special display is being planned to highlight the progress and activities of the associations. There will also be a wall of fame to highlight the outstanding contributions of Dr Thomas Phillip 'TP' Lecky for his pioneering vision and scientific contribution in this area, among others.

With this year's show accredited as an official celebratory event for Jamaica's 50th anniversary, it is expected that the event, which attracts as many as 80,000 patrons on average, will enjoy a record turnout. While the theme is 'Grow What We Eat, Eat What Grow', in keeping with the national drive to significantly increase consumption of local foods, the sub-theme 'Denbigh at 60: Celebrating Achievements in Agriculture', will speak to some of the strides in local agriculture.

A wide variety of indigenous Jamaican foods will be available to patrons for sampling within an organised area dubbed "the food village". In commemoration of Jamaica's 50 years of Independence, the Denbigh Food Village will showcase the culinary journey of our cultural heritage and focus on the preparation and taste of authentic Jamaican cuisine to increase the ethnic consciousness of the general public.

Improvements in research and technology

One of the new features will be the introduction of an organic village where every aspect of a green village from the farm directly to the fork will be on show.

This will include showcasing the synergies, innovations and developments such as improvements in research and technology. The contribution of the Jamaica Agricultural Society to rural life and the role played by the organisation over the years will also be highlighted.

The national Champion Farmer and national Farm Queen Competition will also celebrate the milestone of 50 years of existence, and this will be comme-morated during the event. Other traditional features to be highlighted are agricultural and horticultural exhibits, the Young Champion Farmer competition, and the Youth in Agriculture competition.

A mobile video-board will be available on Sunday, August 5, and Monday, August 6, to allow patrons to see the Olympic races while enjoying the Denbigh Show.