Gov’t Focused on Modernising Agricultural Sector

The Full Story

Government is modernising the agricultural sector with significant focus on technology adoption, infrastructure development, and training to boost productivity and build resilience.

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, noted that Jamaica has secured approximately US$50 million in grant funding from the Green Climate Fund, which will be invested in several initiatives over the next five to six years.

These include the establishment of 45 model farms, expanded farmer training programmes, and increased access to irrigation systems powered by renewable energy.

These initiatives, the Minister said, are aimed at reducing production costs and improving efficiency, while enabling farmers to make decisions based on data such as soil conditions, market demand and pricing trends.

Minister Green, who was addressing the recent Caribbean Chemicals Forum at the Kendal Camp and Conference Centre in Manchester, also outlined significant spending in equipping farmers with machinery such as tractors, walk-behind equipment and drones capable of applying fertilisers and monitoring crop health.

He noted that plans are also in place to strengthen extension services by recruiting additional personnel and equipping them with soil testing kits to better support farmers in the field.

He noted that these tools are intended to address labour shortages and increase productivity, with services to be made accessible to farmers at affordable rates.

The Minister further highlighted measures to tackle long-standing challenges such as post-harvest losses and praedial larceny.

He pointed to the development of new storage facilities and containerised cold storage units to manage surplus production, as well as the strengthening of legislation and the expansion of the Agricultural Protection Branch within the police force.

Mr. Green further reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to implementing the National Animal Traceability System, aimed at safeguarding livestock farmers and ensuring accountability within the sector.