Portland to host DisPoem Wordz and Agro Festival

For the seventh annual Dis Poem Wordz and Agro Festival, scheduled to take place on Sunday, April 30, organizers have extended their programme to include bartering among local farmers. Rather than simply allowing farmers, vendors and organic product developers to display their wares, the festival's programme will include a seeds exchange.

"It's going to be called the Organic Heirloom Seeds Exchange," Ras Takura, one of the festival's organisers and headliners, told THE STAR. He said that farmers have been invited to bring along non-GMO seeds. Ras Takura also said that farmers and other holistic entrepreneurs who wish to vend at the festival are welcome to do so.

Although the festival is anchored by the often rhythmic literary form, Dis Poem Wordz Festival expanded to include agriculture in its fourth year, perhaps influenced by the initial location. The first three stagings took place on the University of Technology's campus of agricultural science and environment in Portland, before moving to Neville Anthony Park, also in Portland.

This year, the festival's line-up includes Dr Michael Abrahams, Mutabaruka, No-Maddz, Cherry Natural, Ras Malekot, DYCR and Richi Innocent. Aspiring poets and performers who are not a part of the official line-up will also be invited to participate in an open-mic segment at the festival.