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Photo by Noel Thompson Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva, makes a presentation of $10,000 to Melda Campbell, of the Kensington branch of the Jamaica Agricultural Society, at the Montpelier Agricultural Show, on Monday, April 9. The presentation was made on behalf of the show's organisers

Noel Thompson, Hospitality Jamaica Writer

Spanish Ambassador to Jamaica, Jesus Silva, has challenged farmers in St. James and other parts of the island to seize the opportunity to supply the new Spanish hotel chains with their produce when they commence business.

Silva was addressing farmers at the 17th staging of the Montpelier Agricultural, Livestock and Industrial Show, in St. James, on Easter Monday.

He said the development of a number of Spanish hotels in the western end of the island, was a wonderful time for Spain. "The hotel developers are keen on having dialogue with Jamaican farmers to purchase their produce when the hotels open up for business."

He added that the hoteliers are eager to offer the products that Jamaica produce to the millions of tourists who visit the island annually. "I think that with the help of the farmers, the hotels are going to succeed, but I believe that with the help of the hotels, the farmers too will increase their production and will have reliable clients," Silva assured farmers.

Stating that it was his first time attending the Montpelier Agricultural Show, Ambassador Silva said he felt it a privilege to share in the occasion with the farmers. "I appreciate the opportunity of getting to talk to Jamaican farmers.

admiration has grown

"My admiration for the farming has grown in the past weeks when I see the hard- working people doing something which is one of the most honourable activities of mankind - working with nature and producing the food that people need to live.

"Farmers are people who love their country, are ambitious and want to progress. I think that Jamaica will become a great country in the future with the kinds of farmers it produces," he said.

The island's farmers have played a pivotal role in the country's Tourism industry, supplying the major resorts such as Sandals Resorts International, SuperClubs, Sunset Jamaica Resorts, Ritz-Carlton Rose Hall, Half Moon and the Rose Hall Resort and Country Club with fresh produce, daily.

For years, the stakeholders in the industry have worked towards allowing them the same benefits in the thriving cruise ship industry, but this has been an uphill battle.