THE presidency of Lenworth Fulton will come to an end today when delegates of the Jamaica Agriculture Society (JAS) elect a new president.

The two leading contenders for the presidency are Owen Dobson, head of the Westmoreland Association of Branch Societies, and Albert Green, a much-respected educator among the large numbers of farmers across the island who heads the Kingston and St Andrew Branch Society. Green is supported by Tamisha Lee, the current president of the Jamaica Network of Rural Women’s Producer for vice-president, and Trevor Bernard, president of the Small Ruminants Association for second vice-president.

Horace O’Gilvie of the St Thomas JAS branch and Audrey Nelson of the Trelawny branch are running for vice-presidents on Dobson’s ticket.

However, most interests are pointed at the four candidates for the three posts of direct member representatives (DMR), who are like board members with no strings attached, as their task is to see that the needs of the farmers are given attention.

Of the four candidates for the three positions, former four-time president of the society Norman Grant has aroused much interest.

“I am not on the board and have not been for the past five years. I, therefore, accepted nomination to be elected, mainly to provide support for the board as a former president and as well as my expertise in accounting, management, and leadership, and my commitment to serve the JAS and our farmers,” Grant told the Jamaica Observer on Tuesday.

The former JAS president served between 2003 and 2009 and between 2012 and 2018, having to step down only once as president — between 2009 and 2012 — as there is a three-year limit on the office of the presidency.

He told the Observer that his task as DMR will be to support the redevelopment of the agricultural sector as well as the JAS and its parish societies, which fits in with his desires to raise the living standards of farmers.

Others seeking the DMR positions are Clifton Grant, the trade unionist vice-president of the University and Allied Workers Union; Selma Khani; and Seiveright Dixon.

Clifton Grant was considered a serious challenger for the presidency earlier last year before opting out of the race to support Green.