The new managers include veterinarian Dr Marc Panton, who has been appointed chief technical director in the ministry, and Dr Derrick Deslandes, who has been seconded from the University of the West Indies to head the Centre of Excellence for Advanced Technology in Agriculture.
Lieutenant Commander Richard Russell has been appointed chief executive officer of the Fisheries Agency, while Dr David Lowe has been selected to lead the ministry's business facilitation arm.
In addition, former managing director of the LASCO Group of Companies, Patrick Lawrence, has been appointed special adviser to the ministry attached to the Rural Agricultural Development Authority.
According to Dr Tufton, the management muscle will boost his bid to improve performance in all areas of the agriculture sector.