Locksley Fitz-Henley Waites: 
A Lifelong Commitment to Advancing Jamaican Agriculture
Locksley Fitz-Henley Waites is a true pioneer in Jamaican agriculture, with a legacy that spans over four decades. Born in 1958 in the picturesque Sherwood Forest, Portland, Mr. Waites grew up in a family of eight children, shaping his resilience and passion for the land from an early age. His educational journey, starting at Hope Bay Primary and advancing through Knockalva Agricultural School, laid the foundation for a remarkable career.
 

As a solid foundation for a sterling agricultural career, Mr. Waites pursued an Associate of Science degree in Agriculture at the Jamaica School of Agriculture, and in 1984, Mr. Waites earned his Bachelor of Science in Agronomy from the University of the West Indies, St. Augustine campus in Trinidad. 
 

Throughout his profession life, Mr. Waites has held various roles, including teaching Agricultural Science, and conducting research at Pioneer Seed Company. His leadership in managing horticultural production at Jamaica Floral Exports and Brampton Farm saw the successful export of roses, chrysanthemums, mangoes, papayas, and hot peppers.
 

Mr. Waite’s journey at RADA started from serving as an Agricultural Extension Officer from 1981-1982. Upon return in 2000 he has been at the forefront of fruit tree crop innovation as a Senior Agronomist at RADA. 
He has spearheaded National Programmes to include: the Irish Potato Program and Onion Development Programme, helping to transform Jamaica's agricultural output. Mr. Waites has also been responsible for planting over 1.3 million fruit trees across the island, a legacy that will bear fruit for generations. He has also developed innovative techniques, such as root grafting of pimento and nutmeg trees and grafting June plum onto hog plum root stock to manage gummosis.
 

Locksley Fitz-Henley Waites is not just an agriculturalist—he’s a visionary whose contributions continue to shape the future of Jamaican agriculture.