Understand more about the process…
As the agency with responsibility for registering farms in Jamaica, you will need to visit the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) to begin the process.
Some of the main benefits of having a Registered Farm include:
- Access to Productive Inputs Relief (PIR) and other key Incentives
- Access to disaster relief claims
- Access to market facilitation services
- Access to receipt books issued by the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS) under the amended Agricultural Produce Act
Registration is carried out by a RADA Extension Officer at the parish offices and the type of information collected for registration purposes is about the farmers, their farm holdings (lands, crops & livestock) and their agricultural practices. The data provided is later verified through farm site visits and stored with the Agricultural Business Information System (ABIS).
It is imperative that farmers who are registered by a commodity board or who are members of a farmers group such as the Coffee Growers Association, the Citrus Growers Association, the All Island Banana Growers Association etc. also register with RADA to ensure they can access their benefits. For more information JACRAon the agriculture commodities industry, contact the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA).
To find out more about registering a farm, continue to the next step in this business process guideline.
Complete the relevant form(s) and provide any supporting information/documents...
To register a farm, you should visit the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) offices located in your farming community in person, to collect the application form. Forms may also be collected at the parish offices of the Electoral Office of Jamaica (EOJ). In addition, you may also contact your RADA Extension Officer to make arrangements for an interview. You will need to carry a valid photo identification, as well as, other information relating to your farming enterprise. See below for our step-by-step guide and the application requirements.
Application Requirements:
You will need to complete the applicable registration form, submit it along with the relevant supporting documents, have your photo taken and pay the prescribed fee. In order to ensure your application is processed expeditiously and within the relevant time-frame, please verify that all the information is completed fully, and the required supporting documents/information are submitted along with your request.
For Farm Registration (farm must be operational):
• Application Form to be completed and submitted to RADA (duplicate)
- Form should include the following information:
- Name and address of the farmer
- Location of the farm, the land tenure
- Size/number of acres of land
- Agricultural activities being carried out
- Other Supporting Information to be included with all applications for submission.
In addition to the above, the following documents must also be submitted:
- Taxpayer Registration Number- How to get a TRN.
- Proof of Ownership/Access - land title or documents granting authority to access or use of the property for farming.
- Passport-sized Photo - certified by a Justice of the Peace.
For more information on the application requirements and process, contact RADA.
Submission Requirements:
Once your application form and any relevant supporting information/documents have been completed, signed, stamped and certified where required; you will need to submit your application(s) for Farm registration to the RADA Extension Officer.
The address and contact information for RADA is indicated below:
Rural Agricultural Development Authority (Head Office)
Hope Gardens, Kingston 6, Jamaica, West Indies
Tel: 1 (876) 977-1158.62 | Fax: 1 (876) 970-4660 | Email: executive@rada.gov.jm
Monday – Thursday: 8:30 am – 5:00 pm | Friday: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Check out the location of the RADA Regional Office nearest to you.
Additional steps required for approval...
Once your request has been submitted, RADA will undertake additional steps as a part of their own due diligence processes. This includes the following:
- For Farm Registration:
- Farmer Interview - conducted with an Extension Officer at the Parish Office.
- Farmer’s Data and Photo - are taken by RADA’s staff.
- Site Visit Conducted – by the Extension Officer as means of verification. (within 10 days of application)
- Registration Fee - upon having a successful interview and site visit, you are required to pay the fee and collect a receipt.
- Farm Registration - approved and granted by RADA.
- Photo Identifications (IDs) - are produced and issued to farmers after approval.
To learn more about the guidelines and this process…please send an email to RADA.
Pay the relevant processing fees...
You will need to visit the RADA office to pay the registration fee upon completion of your personal interview and site visit. Once paid, you will be given a receipt which must be retained and submitted along with your national ID when you go to collect your final approved documents.
Registration Fee: Registering a Farm - $500
Processing Time: Overall Approval - maximum of thirty (30) working days.
Collect your approved document(s)...
Once the review and assessment process has been completed and if your documents and farm/site inspection are in order, RADA will notify you that your Farm Registration has been approved. Farmers are required to present a valid national photo ID (Drivers Licence/Passport/Voter ID) to collect their documents.
At the end of the process you would have received the following:
- Registration for your Farm
- Farmers’ Photo ID
