Despite the scorching August sun, the spirit of resilience shone brightly as the Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show marked its 70th anniversary on Independence Day. The historic event, held at the Denbigh Showground in May Pen, Clarendon, drew patrons from across the island for a one-day celebration, scaled down from its usual three-day format due to the recent devastation caused by Hurricane Beryl.
The Category 4 hurricane had wreaked havoc on Jamaica’s agricultural sector, causing widespread damage and setbacks. However, the Denbigh show served as a testament to the nation’s and its farmers’ determination to recover and rebuild. Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who led a tour of the grounds, emphasized the importance of resilience in agriculture during his address at the official ceremony.
“The new buzzword for agriculture is ‘resilience,’” Holness declared, urging farmers and fishers to seize opportunities even in the face of crises. He also drew a connection between the show’s timing and Jamaica’s Independence Day, underscoring the critical role of agriculture in the nation’s self-sufficiency. “The two things are connected because you can’t really say that you’re independent if you can’t feed yourself. Our farmers are critical to our independence,” he stated.
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Floyd Green, echoed the Prime Minister’s sentiments, expressing pride in the collective effort to stage Denbigh 70 despite the challenges posed by Hurricane Beryl. “Having seen the devastation of Hurricane Beryl, a number of people thought that this would not be possible, but we knew that if we put our shoulders to the wheel, if we put our faith and confidence in our farmers, if we work together with our private-sector partners, then we could stage Denbigh 70,” Green remarked.
The event was graced by several dignitaries and officials, including Minister without Portfolio in the Office of the Prime Minister with Oversight for Skills, Digital Transformation and Information, Senator Dr. Dana Morris Dixon; Minister of Tourism, Edmund Bartlett; and special guest, Premier of the Cayman Islands, Julianna O’Connor-Connolly.
As the day progressed, patrons of all ages enjoyed the various booths, food stops, and pavilions, indulging in the best of Jamaica’s agriculture, cuisine, and culture. The atmosphere was filled with excitement and appreciation for the resilience and creativity on display.
The evening concluded with the National Farm Queen Coronation, celebrating the hard work and dedication of Jamaica’s agricultural community, followed by an after-party featuring Dancehall artist Jahvinci, who brought the event to a lively close.
Denbigh 70, held under the theme ‘Building Back Through Resilience,’ not only highlighted the enduring spirit of Jamaica’s farmers and fishers but also served as a powerful reminder of the nation’s capacity to rebuild and thrive in the face of adversity.
