The Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, in collaboration with the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), launched the ‘Thank A Farmer’ campaign aimed at increasing public awareness and showing appreciation and support for the country’s farmers.

The initiative was launched during a ceremony on April 3 at Craighton Estate Great House in Irish Town, St Andrew, to mark the start of Farmers’ Month.

“Every time you engage a farmer for the month of April, ensure the first thing you say to them is, ‘Thank you’. We have to ensure that our farmers feel appreciated, ” said portfolio minister Floyd Green.

He noted that farmers are often taken for granted, with persons not appreciating that without farmers, they would not be able to eat.

He argued that it was during COVID-19 that people started to truly realise the value of farmers.

“When the world shut down, everybody started saying, ‘What are we going to eat? Will we be able to feed ourselves?’ People started to recognise that no matter what profession you are, the most important profession out there is farming,” he said.

Farmers’ Month 2025 is being observed under the theme ‘Celebrating our Food Heroes’.

An annual activity of the JAS in collaboration with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and other stakeholders, the month acknowledges the vital role of farmers in Jamaica’s economy and food security. 

JAS chief executive Derron Grant described farmers as “superheroes” for their contribution to national development.

It is for this reason, he said, that the JAS began celebrating farmers 42 years ago through the annual Farmers Month observation.

“We believe that today is the start of a great month for our farmers. Through history, we have honoured many people, and the farmers of Jamaica play a very vital role in not only the development of the agriculture sector, but also the entire national development for the country,” Grant said.

The month-long activities for the Thank A Farmer campaign will be carried out in partnership with the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA).

The events culminate with the Montpelier Agricultural Show in St. James and the St. Mary Agricultural Show on April 21.

Other activities are a farmers market at the Ministry’s playfield in Kingston on April 25, and a ‘Thank A Farmer Wellness Fair: A Day with the Minister’ at Hope Gardens in Kingston on April 29.

The launch included performances from students at the Craighton Primary School and farmer Glenroy Crossman, who creatively depicted the life of farmers and the importance of farming through two original songs.

Not to be outdone, Minister Green recited the poem ‘The Farmer’ by Amelia Barr, which celebrates the role of farmers in feeding society regardless of social status.