Event launched to much fanfare  

Organisers of the first-ever pear (avocado) festival, which will be held this summer, marked a major milestone with the launch of the festival on Thursday at the Verandah, Juice Empowerment Park, Clarendon.

The Mocho Pear Festival (MPF) is being spearheaded by the Mocho Homecoming Limited (MHL) and is intended to leverage the locally revered reputation of the rural Clarendon community, for which the festival is named, as top producer of the Simmonds and other varieties of pears, as an economic driver of Jamaica’s agricultural production in the coming years.

Speaking at the launch, Minister of Labour and Social Security Pearnel Charles Junior, who held the post of Minister of Agriculture during the incubatory stage of the MHL’s push for avocado as an orchard crop, applauded the efforts of the team thus far and charged them to ensure the mission also brings entrepreneurial opportunities to the residents of Mocho, even as it attracts larger investors.

“I really want to pray over everything that is taking place here, that it becomes a true success where you will see young men and women become entrepreneurs…,” Charles said.

He continued: “Labour and agriculture have an interconnection, and it is opportunity – that’s what comes from these kinds of initiatives; it creates a chance for people to be creative.”

“I’m looking forward to pear juice, sauce, chutney, patty … a range of diversification from pear,” Charles said, adding he is also looking forward to seeing Mocho pears in outlets in the United States, competing with Mexican pears.

Custos of Clarendon, and patron of the MPF, Mrs Edith Chin, also lauded the organisers for their foresight and move to lift the agricultural profile of the parish and bolster the resilience of families in the 52 farming communities of the Mocho division.

“I accepted the role of patron because I believe strongly in celebrating our communities, recognising the contribution of our farmers, preserving our heritage and creating opportunities that can support local development for years to come,” Custos Chin said. 

“This festival aims to bring together many of the things that help communities thrive; it celebrates agriculture, culture, entrepreneurship, community pride and the unique qualities that make a place worth visiting, investing in and calling home,” she said.

For Custos Chin, the Mocho Pear Festival has the potential to showcase the many strengths of the Mocho community and create opportunities that benefit local families and businesses.

Speaking to the need to once again have the lands of the Mocho community in full agricultural production, Mayor of May Pen, Councillor Joel Williams, noted Mocho was known for many other crops such as breadfruit, oranges and the finest pears before bauxite mining. 

“I’m sure this project will be bearing fruit in the next three years, not only for the parish of Clarendon and the community of Mocho but by extension, for foreign exchange and the further development of our country,” Mayor Williams said.

The Mocho Pear Festival and Homecoming celebrations will begin on August 2 with a church service at the Brixton Hill United Church, night football matches at Mount Airy and Mocho Community centres on August 2 and 9, respectively, a health fair at the Ashley Primary School on August 5 and the marquee Pear Festival on August 8 at the Lennon High School.