MINISTRY PAPER

ANNUAL REPORT AND AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS OF THE

RURAL AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

FOR THE YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 2010

The matter for tabling in the Houses of Parliament is the Annual Report and

Audited Financial Statements of the Rural Agricultural Development Authority for

the year ended March 31, 2010.

2. CORPORATE PROFILE The Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) is a statutory body

established under the Rural Agricultural Development Authority Act of 1990. It is

Jamaica's chief agricultural extension and rural development agency.

3. DOMESTIC FOOD CROP PRODUCTION Domestic crop production grew by 22.4% during the 2009 calendar year,

moving from 400,110 tonnes in 2008 to 489,672 tonnes in 2009. This relatively

high rate of growth in output was achieved despite a protracted drought which was

spread over two (2) quarters and the devastation caused by the Beet Army worm

infestation of selected crops in parts of St. Elizabeth and Manchester.

4. FARMER TRAINING Training interventions took place in all 98 extension areas which the island

is divided into. A combination of delivery strategies allowed the authority to

transmit extension messages in the technical areas of crop production, crop

nutrition, integrated pest management and food safety, protected agriculture and

record keeping. In terms of direct delivery the following were accomplished:

• Number of training sessions conducted 1,572

• Number of farmers trained in groups 24,918

• Farm visits 64,620

• Demonstration plots established 17

• Number of technical publications 5

5. ON-FARMWATERMANAGEMENT

The productive capability of hundreds of farmers was considerably

enhanced during the reporting period due to the interventions of the Water

Management Unit. Interventions of installation of gravity drip and mist systems, in

addition to technical training, led to increases in both production and productivity.

Farmers who benefited from the programme have managed to increase their

cropping cycles from 1-3 per year and have also recorded increased crop yields of

over 500/0.

6. SOCIAL SERVICESIHOME ECONOMICS PROGRAMME

Training was the foremost strategy by which the Unit impacted upon the

lives of farm families. The Unit conducted over 900 practical/theoretical sessions

in the areas of food and nutrition; backyard gardening; family life and effective

parenting; food preservation; and agro-processing. Entrepreneurial enterprises

supported by the programme earned $20.454M from the sale of products including

bammies, peanut punch, tamarind sauce, and household items. The quest for new

products continued and during the period the Unit conducted consumer acceptance

tests on cassava fries, cho-cho fruit cake, and breadfruit cream punch.

7. EXTENSION OFFICER RE-CERTIFICATION PROGRAMME

This programme, currently in its planning phase, was designed with the aim

of strengthening the technical capabilities of extension officers. It is expected that

at the end of the programme the extension officers will have attained National

Vocational Qualification (NVQ) level 3 certification and will be able to transfer

their knowledge of the latest technology, concepts and approaches in their

training/advisory roles.

8. AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS INFORMATION SYSTEM (ABIS)

This system was extended beyond its primary role of registration of farmers,

to include dissemination of estimates of crop production and acts in a supportive

function to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Programme (PLPP). The latter

function is administered through the Receipt Book Management sub-system.

9. PROJECTS & PROGRAMMES 1. Producer Marketing Organisations (PMO) - The first ever PMOs

conference was staged by RADA in June 2009. Over 5,000 farmers

representing approximately 700 PMOs participated in the agricultural

exposition, workshops and seminars aimed at integrating these

organisations into the planning and operation activities of the Authority.

11. Fruit Tree Crop Project - The primary goal of this project is to increase

the supply of fruits to satisfy the demand from processors and the fresh

fruit market. During the period of review the project exceeded its target

relating to orchard management training with 492 farmers being exposed

to the content. On the other hand, seedling distribution (26,892) and the

number of hectares (138) planned for establishment as orchards were

slightly below the anticipated outputs.

111. European Union Banana Support Programme (EUBSP) -This

programme proposes to maintain the standard of living of

farmers/workers adversely affected by the fallout in banana production.

The programme has two (2) parallel components, namely the Banana

Improvement Programme (BIP) and Rural Diversification Programme

(RDP). During the review period 10 small grants were award to

community groups and non-government organisations for the

development of sustainable agricultural and non- agricultural enterprises.

Additionally, 228 farms were rehabilitated through the provision of

production inputs. Indirect support was offered through the refurbishing

of the Artificial Insemination Laboratory operated by the Research &

Development division of the Ministry of Agriculture & Fisheries, as well

as the upgrading of six (6) fishing beaches with modem facilities for

storage and other commercial operations.

IV. Agriculture Disaster Risk Management (ADRM) - The national

ADRM was strengthened with the development of a national plan. This

was prepared under a technical cooperation project funded by the Food

and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and through consultations with

sector stakeholders.

9. REMUNERATIONS The compensation of the Directors and Senior Executives are set out at

appendices I and II, respectively.

10. AUDITORS'REPORT The Financial Statements were audited by BDO Jamaica Chartered Accounts

and they have stated that the financial statements gave a true and fair view of the

Authority's financial position as at March 31, 2010, and of its financial

performance, changes in equity and its cash flows for the year then ended in

accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards and';~\Qmply with the "

provisions of the Jamaican Rural Agricultural Development Authority Act 1990.

11. The Annual Report and Audited Financial Statements of the Rural

Agricultural Development Authority are hereby submitted to be tabled in the

Houses of Parliament.

/{t/; ....... /'~L/'Roger lar~==========~

Minister of Agriculture & Fisheries

April 1-6, 2012

Appendix I

DIRECTORS COMPENSATION

Motor Vehicle Upkeeptrravelling All Other Compensation

Position of Director Fees

Value of Honoraria including Non-Cash Benefits Total

($) or

($) as applicable ($)Assigned Motor Vehicle ($)

($)

Chairman 69,500.00 - - 69,500.00

Board Member 2 44,500.00 - - - 44,500.00

Board Member 3 95,100.00 - - - 95,100.00

Board Member 4 37,340.00 - - - 37,340.00

Board Member 5 26,000.00 - - - 26,000.00

Board Member 6 49,500.00 - - - 49,500.00

Board Member 7 70,000.00 - - - 70,000.00

Board Member 8 69,000.00 - - - 69,000.00

Board Member 9 33,500.00 - - - 33,500.00

Board Member 10 73,000.00 - - - 73,000.00

Board Member 11 63,000.00 - - 63,000.00

Board Member 12 69,500.00 - - - 69,500.00

Board Member 13 47,500.00 - - - 47,500.00

Board Member 14 12,500.00 - - - 12,500.00

Board Member 15 7,500.00 - - - 7,500.00

Board Member 16 7,500.00 - - - 7,500.00

Board Member 17 7,500.00 - - - 7,500.00

iBoard Member 18 7,500.00 - - - 7,500.00

'Parish Advisory Board Members fees 2,169,368.50 - - - 2,169,368.50

Total 2,959,308.50 2,959,308.50 _.... __ ..... _._ .... _.­

Appendix II

SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Traveling Pension or

. Gratuity or Allowance Other Other Non-Cash

Position of Senior Executive Year Salary Performance or

Retirement Allowances Benefits Total

($) Incentive Value of Benefits ($) ($)

($) ($) Assigned Motor

Vehicle ($) ($)

Chief Executive Officer 2009-2010 3,553,000.00 1,118,000.00 797,000.00 - - - 5,468,000.00

Deputy Executive Director 2009-2010 3,081,000.00 796,000.00 - - - 3,877,000.00

Snr. Director of Finance and Accounts 2009-2010 2,153,000.00 - 797,000.00 306,000.00 - - 3,256,000.00

Manage, Social Services/Home Economics 2009-2010 3,350,000.00 - 796,000.00 - - 4,146,000.00

Zonal Directors - East and West 2009-2010 5,082,000.00 - 1,592,000.00 225,000.00 - · 6,899,000.00

Information 2009·2010 2,979,000.00 - 797,000.00 - - · 3,776,000.00 -~

Director Board Secretariat 2009-2010 1,797,000.00 - 420,000.00 - - - 2,217,000.00

Snr. Dir. HRM and Admin 2009-2010 3,105,000.00 - 796,000.00 - - - 3,901,000.00

Information and Communication Technologv

Manager 2009-2010 1,875,000.00 - 420,000.00 196,000.00 - · 2,491,000.00

Parish Agricultural Managers (13) 2009-2010 29,631,000.00 - 5,460,000.00 - - - 35,091,000.00

Total 56,606,000.00 1,118,000.00 12,671,000.00 727,000.00 71,122,000.00