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
Position of Director
Fees
($)
Motor Vehicle Upkeeptrravelling or Value of Assigned Motor Vehicle ($)
69,500.00
Board Member 2
44,500.00
Board Member 3
95,100.00
Board Member 4
37,340.00
Board Member 5
26,000.00
Board Member 6
49,500.00
Board Member 7
70,000.00
Board Member 8
69,000.00
-
Board Member 9
33,500.00
-
Board Member 10
73,000.00
-
Board Member 11
63,000.00
Board Member 12
69,500.00
Board Member 13
47,500.00
Board Member 14
12,500.00
Board Member 15
7,500.00
Board Member 16
7,500.00
Board Member 17
7,500.00
iBoard Member 18
7,500.00
-
2,169,368.50
Total
2,959,308.50
($)
Total
($)
($)
-
Chairman
'Parish Advisory Board Members fees
All Other Compensation including Non-Cash Benefits as applicable
Honoraria
-
_ __ _._ ....
.....
.... _.足
-
49,500.00
-
70,000.00
-
69,000.00
-
33,500.00
-
73,000.00
-
63,000.00
69,500.00 44,500.00 95,100.00 37,340.00 26,000.00
69,500.00 47,500.00 12,500.00 7,500.00 7,500.00 7,500.00 7,500.00 2,169,368.50 2,959,308.50
Appendix II
SENIOR EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Traveling
Allowance
. Gratuity or Position of Senior Executive
Year
Salary
Performance
or
($)
Incentive
Value of
($)
Assigned Motor Vehicle ($)
Pension or Other
Other
Non-Cash
Retirement
Allowances
Benefits
Benefits
($)
($)
Total
($)
($)
797,000.00
-
-
-
5,468,000.00
796,000.00
-
-
-
3,877,000.00
-
797,000.00
306,000.00
-
-
3,256,000.00
3,350,000.00
-
796,000.00
-
-
4,146,000.00
2009-2010
5,082,000.00
-
1,592,000.00
225,000.00
-
路
6,899,000.00
Information
2009路2010
2,979,000.00
-
797,000.00
-
-
路
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
Manager
2009-2010
1,875,000.00
-
420,000.00
196,000.00
-
路
2,491,000.00
Parish Agricultural Managers (13)
2009-2010
29,631,000.00
-
5,460,000.00
-
-
-
35,091,000.00
56,606,000.00
1,118,000.00
12,671,000.00
727,000.00
Chief Executive Officer
2009-2010
3,553,000.00
Deputy Executive Director
2009-2010
3,081,000.00
Snr. Director of Finance and Accounts
2009-2010
2,153,000.00
Manage, Social Services/Home Economics
2009-2010
Zonal Directors - East and West
1,118,000.00
-~
Information and Communication Technologv
Total
71,122,000.00