The Ministry of Agriculture has issued a public advisory to all farmers, urging them to refrain from purchasing agriculture produce receipt books from anywhere but the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS).

Agriculture produce receipt books are used by registered and verified farmers to document every farm-related sale that is conducted. The books were initiated to help reduce praedial larceny.

According to the ministry, it has recently discovered that people have been selling these receipt books at higher cost to farmers.

“It has been brought to our attention that the Agriculture Produce Receipt Book, currently issued by the JAS, is being sold by unauthorised individuals for a sum far exceeding the cost,” the ministry stated.

They added that only the JAS is authorised to sell these receipt books, and they should not be purchased for more than J$800.

When the book is purchased, the farmer’s  name, phone number, farm location, crop type and acreage, as well as other relevant information, including the sequential numbers of the receipt, are entered into a computer database.

If the police stop someone with farm produce or livestock and they have suspicions that the goods are stolen, they can search the database to see if the person is a verified farmer.

“The Rrceipt to be issued to purchaser” is a provision of the amended Agricultural Produce Act 2004. The receipt book system was relaunched in 2012 under then Minister of Agriculture Roger Clarke.

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