Durrant Pate/Contributor

There is a new addition to this year’s staging of Jamaica’s premier agricultural expo, Denbigh slated for July 30 – August 1.

A small business village will be a major new addition to the 68th staging of the Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at its home location in Denbigh, Clarendon. The village is being used as a platform to drive the growth of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), as the country eyes a recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The small business village will be set up where the ‘Market House’ was located in previous years. Two new businesses from each parish will use the village to set up booths throughout the three-day show.

These new business owners are women and youths. The highly anticipated show is back after a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic.

Push for new businesses in agriculture

Commenting on the new addition Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President, Lenworth Fulton says, “It’s a major change in the show this year. We are using this as a push for new businesses especially those that are agriculturally related. We want to give these businesses an opportunity to meet thousands of people and advertise their products.”

The JAS, which is the chief organiser, decided to include small businesses in this year’s staging of the agricultural expo to capture the innovativeness taking place in the agricultural sector. In addition to the small business village, patrons can expect an exciting lineup of activities for the show beginning with a ‘Youth in Agriculture Day’ on Saturday (July 30).

The National Farm Queen coronation will take place at 6:00 pm on this day, also dubbed the ‘Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries’ Day’. On day two, Sunday (July 31), the ‘Governor-General’s Day’, a Hi-Pro Denbigh Gospel Extravaganza will take place at 6:00 pm.

For the ‘Prime Minister’s Day’, Monday, August 1, a Denbigh ‘Reggaefest’ will close out this year’s show. ‘Denbigh 68’ will be held under the theme, ‘Grow Smart, Eat Smart’ and is an initiative of the JAS in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) and the Jamaica 4H Clubs.

Gates will open from 8:00 am to 10:00 pm daily. Admission is J$1,200 for adults and J$600 for children. Tickets will be available at the gate.