$1.46B Being Channelled Through Redi II to Strengthen Tourism and Agriculture Initiatives

A sum of $1.46 billion will be allocated in fiscal year 2026/27 to advance initiatives that expand market access and promote climate-resilient practices for targeted beneficiaries in the tourism and agriculture sectors.

The allocation, provided under the Rural Economic Development Initiative (REDI) II, is detailed in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which was recently tabled in the House of Representatives by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams.

Targets for the upcoming fiscal year include the commencement and completion of greenhouse nursery construction in Watermount, provision of irrigation infrastructure to the Agro-Investment Corporation, installation of drip irrigation facilities for the Amity Hall Farmers’ Cooperative and the Ebony Park Agro Cooperative Society, procurement and installation of equipment for the All-Island Banana Growers Association and the Red Ridge Bank Community Benevolent Society, and relief support for persons affected by Hurricane Beryl.

The funds will also support the completion of rehabilitation works at the Tilapia Fish Hatchery, the construction of a cold storage facility at Windalco, Kirkvine, and the continued provision of agricultural inputs to women and youth.

Up to December 2025, income-generating small grants were awarded to more than 5,000 beneficiaries, including 413 fisherfolk. In addition, 928 beneficiaries received agronomic support through Coffee Traders Limited in the form of training and inputs; 54 business plans were developed, accompanied by mentorship and coaching sessions for enterprises; a photovoltaic (PV) solar system was installed at the Plumwood pumping station in Manchester; a climate-resilience integrated disaster risk reduction training curriculum was developed; and a tourism awareness campaign targeting the domestic market was launched.

Other achievements of the project include the rehabilitation of the St. Mary Multipurpose Cold Storage and photovoltaic (PV) system; development of a coffee marketing strategy and completion of a market demand study for community tourism; expansion and equipping of the Hanover Bee Bottling Facility; completion of irrigation infrastructure at Ebony Park, Clarendon; and rehabilitation of the Tilapia hatchery, which is currently 75 per cent complete.

The Rural Economic Development Initiative II Project is being implemented by the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF), with funding from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and the Government of Jamaica.