Efforts to expand Jamaica’s avocado (pear) industry gathered momentum last week as stakeholders in Clarendon launched a festival intended to spur rural development and exports.

The Mocho Pear Festival, scheduled for August 8, aims to convert the parish’s reputation as a leading producer of Simmonds and other pear varieties into a broader economic engine. It is spearheaded by Mocho Homecoming Limited (MHL), whose festivities will run from August 2 to 9, beginning with a church service at Brixton Hill United Church. Other events include night football matches at Mount Airy and Mocho community centres, a health fair at Ashley Primary School, and the flagship festival at Lennon High School.

Canute Sadler, owner of Stanmark Processors Limited, an ackee-processing firm with four factories across the island and a major sponsor, urged farmers to capitalise on what he described as “green gold”.