Lenworth Fulton
With the passing of Lenworth Fulton, Jamaica has lost a true agriculturalist, and dedicated advocate for our farmers, and a visionary for food security.
His work in the agri sector, from the Jamaica 4-Clubs, the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA), and the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS), institutions that he headed, has left a lasting legacy of hope for sustainable growth.
He was an industry leader who was always putting forward innovation for community building, and he will be remembered as a true steward of the earth who planted ideas as much as he spearheaded the cultivation of crops.
The life of Fulton, although deeply intertwined with the soil, he also dedicated himself to nurturing talents in many spheres, and was more than a farmer or scientist, but a mentor, and a friend whose hands shaped not just fields, but futures.
About 15 years ago, I along with former Executive Director of the Jamaica 4-4-Clubs, Dr. Ronald Blake, and Fulton, traveled from Mandeville to a section of St. Elizabeth, where the 4-Clubs had a peanut farm. Throughout the journey, it was agriculture, and why the arable land must be reserved for farming. We did not get a chance to talk about anything else but agriculture. Fulton controlled the discussion, and even when we stopped at a location for a sip, I tried to divert the talks into music and other things, he found ways to steer us back to agriculture.
From that day, and on the occasions when we met at a certain place in Spanish Town, as well as through his writing in the newspapers, I regarded Lenny as one who planted, and the seeds that he sowed will continue to blossom for generations. Thank you Lenworth Fulton for your commitment, your inspiring leadership, and for leaving us a legacy that will forever nourish our island. Rest in eternal peace, my Bredrin.
Contributed by
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| Garfield L. Angus, Senior Journalist. |
“A farmer's farewell, with laughter and cheer, For you, dear friend, we'll raise a beer, A life of mud and muck and dirt, A funny tale, no time for hurt. You taught us how to laugh and smile, Even when the work stretched mile by mile. Your humour kept us going strong, Through endless days and nights so long. So, here's to you, our funny friend, A farmer's farewell, but not the end, In fields of green, and skies so blue, We'll laugh, remembering the life of you.”
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"OLD FARMER" as they called themselves FULTON was a graduate of the old Farm School named then The Jamaica School of Agriculture (JSA).
ReplyDeleteThe Agriculture school was relocated to Portland now called College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE): A specialized tertiary institution in Jamaica focusing on agriculture, science, and teacher training, often associated with the University of the West Indies (UWI).
There should be a CASE study of CASE to see if the impact on agriculture and food security is wanting.
Are the Personell produced adequately trained for the.task
That location now trains JCF members (Police).
Fulton was a the consumate farmers advocate it was persons like him who became Permanent Secretaries and most head of the various relevant production,extension and marketing divisions.
Ministry of Agriculture for it to have the impact must have trained Agriculturalists as heads.
Former Ministers of Agriculture Roger Clarke and Percival Broderick were either trained ,practicing Agriculturalists or both.
Lenworth Fulton was a trained certified practicing farmer and ideologue.These people were versatile give them any type of farm theybrun it well that's how JSA trained their Charges.
Someone needs to do a CASE study of CASE and Agriculturalists in Jamaica.
LONG LIVE OLD FARMER LENWORTH FULTON.
CASE naah gwaan with nutten yuh don't even hear bout dem.
ReplyDeleteCASE needs a case study is a fact wah dem fah.
Ministry of Agriculture must be headed by persons with Agricultural Economics and sociological holistic scientific knowlege to save Jamaica from starvation and dependency.Seek assistance from Guyana is possible.
ReplyDeleteGuyana a CARICOM member is the only country on the planet earth that is 100% self sufficient in all food groups.
ReplyDeleteNamely Fruits,vegetables,legumes,seeds, meat,fish,grains,starchy staples,
nuts and diary.
Jamaica must immediately stop planting houses on arable land so as to reduce dependency on imported food and the likelihood of starvation.
We need to rebuild our army of Agricultural Extension Officers Islandwide creating a vanguard of agro-regeneration now.
Particularly, in parishes devastated by the recent hurricane Melissa.
Westmoreland,St Elizabeth, St James,Hanover,Trelawny,St Ann and Manchester must take priority together in that order preferably at once.
Guyana or other assistance could also be sought from world leading food producers such as Brazil,Argentina,Australia,
Canada,USA and even war torn Ukraine.
Russia and China could also be included being world powers and one cannot ignore geopolitical global realities.
To rebuild an all inclusive integrated sugar cane Industry for example Brazil should be brought on board as they make everything from Sugar Cane.Fuel to food clothing and shelter.
I cannot over emphasize the need to establish an SEED BANK OF JAMAICA (SBOJ).
Micspen pragmatics the Government and opposition should take on board and stop the Political Deejaying about Care Packaging.
ReplyDeleteNow Jamaica needs to be packaged with pragmatic productive care.