A special Cup Match concert to help farmers is to be held, it was announced yesterday.

Richard Bascome, owner of Westover Farm, said the Farm Aid event would be “the beginning” of a movement to highlight the contribution of the agricultural sector to the island.

Mr Bascome added: “We’re hoping that Farm Aid will be an institution that is doing more things in the community and basically supporting the farmers and farm initiatives.”

He said that proceeds from the event on August 2 would be put towards the island’s farming industry.

He added that a general charity to promote farming was in the planning stages.

Mr Bascome said: “It will be a charity that is basically doing what this show is beginning to do in a small way — raising awareness.”

He said that a gap had opened between farmers and the public.

Mr Bascome added: “I can understand it, but a little awareness wouldn’t hurt.”

“It’s better to know where things come from than not to know.

“It’s good for people to know where it comes from and understand it.”

He said that the concert would not be a one-off event.

Mr Bascome added: “You’ll be hearing from Farm Aid again after this.

The event was organised with the Island Restaurant Group, Green Land Dairy, Amaral Farms, Westover Farm and Wadson’s Farm.

Other restaurants, organisations and farms have also backed the event.

The concert, to be held at the Prison Officers’ Recreation Club in Dockyard, will feature the Stone Love sound system from Jamaica.

Island acts Juggling Jason, Magic from Souljah 1, and Supatone will perform.

The idea is modelled on the US Farm Aid concerts, launched in 1985 by music stars Willie Nelson, Neil Young and John Mellencamp, to help farmers struggling with mortgage debt.

It has since evolved into a general support charity for the agricultural industry.

Farm Aid was inspired by the Live Aid concert earlier that year for victims of a major famine in Ethiopia.

Advance tickets for the Bermuda event cost $30, with day-of-admission access at $50.

Complimentary dinner plates featuring island produce will be available from 7pm to 9.30pm.

Tickets are available at Caesars Pharmacy, on Somerset Road, Sandys; 27th Century Boutique, on Reid Street, Hamilton; and online at Ptix.bm.