JAS president Senator Norman Grant said the facility will be located at the JAS head office on Church Street in Kingston.  "When the facility is opened, the farmers and the public in general will be able to come into the JAS facility and log on to the World Wide Web," said Grant.

Last October, the Ministry of Commerce, Science and Technology donated $5 million towards the JAS information systems project.

At the time, minister Phillip Paulwell said that the project would assist in making the agricultural sector more efficient.  He said that it would facilitate the redevelopment and expansion of the JAS website, as well as equip all its parish offices with Internet-ready computers.

Farmers will also be able to utilise the service to share information on crop production issues.

On Monday, Senator Grant told the Observer that the JAS would also establish Internet cafés at the Denbigh show ground in Clarendon, in Portland, and St James over the next 12 months.

He added that the opening of the café next week would be complemented by the unveiling of a farmers agricultural business advisory system.

"What this means is that you can walk into the JAS head office and you will be able to find somebody there to prepare a business plan and even to do a cash flow," Grant said.

Additionally, he pointed out that the JAS head office will also be able to provide a number of other business-related services to its members, including the taking of minutes at meetings and the rental of furniture.

The JAS boss added that the opening of the Church Street café would form part of the activities planned to mark farmers' month in April.

http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/html/20050329T210000-0500_77728_OBS_FIRST_INTERNET_CAFE_FOR_FARMERS.asp