Green hails Ja’s agricultural resilience, citing record-breaking production

Western Bureau:

Agriculture Minister Floyd Green says Jamaica’s agricultural sector has demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of recent disasters, citing record-breaking production and major private investments.

Green, who was speaking on Friday during the inaugural Jamaica Agri-Business Investment Forum and Expo, in Montego Bay, St James, acknowledged that the sector suffered an estimated $7 billion in losses last year because of Hurricane Beryl and prolonged rainfall. Yet, he said, recovery was quite swift.

“After Hurricane Beryl, it took us almost two years to get back to production levels. Last year, we bounced back in one quarter. Between January and March this year, we recorded our highest production levels ever, 221,000 tons. By April to June, we surpassed that with 230,000 tons,” said Green, in noting that farmers and investors deserved recognition for the remarkable achievements.

Green also pointed to significant private sector investments, including a $15-billion expansion by Caribbean Broilers and an $8-million liquefied natural gas (LNG) project by Jamaica Broilers, as evidence of agriculture’s growing economic clout.

“Our job as Government is to catalyse these investments. That’s why this forum was conceptualised, to marry capital with opportunity,” he explained, in emphasising that agriculture is no longer a fallback profession but a key driver of wealth creation.

Agro parks, irrigation

Among the Government’s priorities outlined, Green highlighted the expansion of agro parks, supported by major irrigation projects such as the Essex Valley scheme (1,200 hectares) and the Pedro Plains scheme (4,000 hectares), which he described as the largest agricultural investment in the Caribbean.

“We are ensuring that every parish will have at least one agro park. Twenty-five per cent of those lands are being reserved for youth and women under special terms, including reduced lease rates and free inputs for the first two years,” Green announced.

Turning to fisheries, with Jamaica’s high fish consumption, 26 kilograms per person annually, most of which is imported, Green has outlined plans for a state-of-the-art tilapia hatchery capable of producing five million fishes per year, and the island’s first aquaculture agro park, which will offer shared services for shrimp, marine fish, oysters, and sea moss enterprises.

“Jamaican sea moss is among the most sought after in the world. We’re already training fishers in St Ann to grow, harvest, and package it for food and skincare markets,” he added.

Green also stated that the Government is supporting investors through tax relief on agricultural inputs, matching grant schemes, and a proposed first crop guarantee programme to reduce farmers’ risks. He further revealed ongoing efforts to secure long-term supply contracts with the hotel sector for local produce.

“This Government is not just talking about agriculture, we are building the infrastructure to reduce your costs and maximise profitability,” he said.

albert.ferguson@gleanerjm.com