Status of National and Regional Marketing Intelligence and Development Systems
in Jamaica
(A) Role of the Ministry of Agriculture in terms of Marketing Intelligence, Trade Facilitation and Quality Assurance
Marketing Intelligence
The Ministry of Agriculture acts as a source of both primary and secondary information in the form of published materials and public documents for companies and individuals involved in the marketing of agricultural produce. Much of the marketing intelligence information about developments in the marketing environment is collected from the Ministry of Agriculture own personnel ? Extension Officers, Marketing Agents etc. The Marketing Division of the Ministry and the Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) is the principal agent responsible for the marketing of agricultural produce in Jamaica, but their are other Divisions that collects and analyze data that is used in the marketing process.
The following are some of the marketing information available from the Ministry: -
* Wholesale and retail market prices etc. for agricultural data and supply and demand condition of agricultural commodities. This information is analyzed and made available to the different stakeholders weekly through the print media.
* Situational outlook report for different agricultural produce.
* The Plant Quarantine section of the Ministry collects information on export and import volume and value; country of export etc. this information is then analyzed and a report produced for use by the Jamaica Exporter Association.
* The Rural Agricultural Development Agency (RADA) through its extension officers collect ...