Farmers urged to take advantage of new Bodles Research Station bio lab

The station, which has been undergoing rehabilitation work over the past five years, is committed to implementing changes, especially in the research arena, to boost agricultural production.

Acting Principal Research Director in the Research and Development Division, Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Michelle Sherwood, said the new environment is welcoming to farmers.

“We welcome all stakeholders. We did not just put in place services of any kind, as each was considered based on the need of the agricultural sector. We are putting in what the sector has been demanding for many years. When stakeholders and farmers come, we are addressing both the technical and the non-technical needs,” Mrs. Sherwood told JIS News in an interview.

She pointed out that special emphasis was placed on improving the environment. “When you come, you want the farmer to know that they’re coming to an environment where they can expect innovation and expect a high quality of service. Of course, the environment would have to look the part, so that is why we’re saying we are looking at the front, the face of the property, which for many years has not been where it should be. Now we’re getting that attention, the face has improved greatly, and there still is room for improvement,” she said.

Mrs. Sherwood said when guests do arrive, there are spaces to accommodate waiting and greeting as well as areas specific for meetings with researchers.t

“The information is there that when they come, they can tell us what their needs are and we will be able to say what we have and how we can help,” Mrs. Sherwood said.

The objective of the Research and Development Division is to generate cost-effective technology for improvement of agricultural production. It operates four sub-programmes, including Livestock Research and Improvement, Crop Research and Development, Plant Protection, and Post Entry Quarantine.

These sub-programmes operate with a view to applying modern technology to increase production and productivity in the Agriculture and Fisheries sector.