Agri-Linkages Writer

ALEX is a TEF funded project which aims to deepen the linkage between the agricultural and tourism sector through an internet and telemarketing platform and commodities exchange.

REELING FROM a near $283-million annual loss from the closure of hotels, the island’s farmers have been given a lifeline in the form of easier access to restaurants and supermarkets to sell their produce

A sustained effort is now being pursued by the tourism ministry to ensure that Jamaican farmers reap the full benefits of the industry.

Chairman of the Tourism Linkages Council, Adam Stewart, is calling on hoteliers and other tourism interests, to invest in the local agriculture sector, noting that this is a sure-fire way of enhancing the country's economic development.

Minister of Tourism, Hon. Edmund Bartlett, has urged Jamaican farmers to capitalise on the Agri-linkages Exchange (ALEX) platform, which he says will be a huge catalyst in equipping them to reap the benefits of tourism’s success.

Minister of Tourism Edmund Bartlett (left) cuts the ribbon to officially open the new Agri-Linkage Exchange Centre at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) St Andrew Parish Office, located on Old Hope Road, on Wednesday. Sharing the moment (from second left, front row) are president, Jamaica Agricultural Society, Lenworth Fulton; chairman, RADA Michael Stern; and director of Tourism Linkages Network Carolyn McDonald. In the background (from left) are executive director, Tourism Enhancement Fund, Dr Carey Wallace; chief executive officer, RADA, Peter Thompson; and chairman, Agriculture Technical Working Group, Dr Derrick Deslandes

Tourism Minister Edmund Bartlett (left) participates in the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Tourism Agri-Linkages Exchange (ALEX) Centre housed at RADA’s St Andrew office on Wednesday, December 12, 2018. Sharing in the moment are (from second left) Executive Director for the Tourism Enhancement Fund, Dr Carey Wallace; Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) President, Lenworth Fulton; RADA’s CEO Peter Thompson; RADA Chairman Michael Stern and Director of the Tourism Linkages Network, Carolyn McDonald-Riley - Contributed photo.