Agriculture Ministry Strengthens Fight Against Praedial Larceny
By: , May 28, 2025
Photo: ADRIAN WALKER
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, makes his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 27).The Full Story
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is strengthening the fight against praedial larceny, through the introduction of Agricultural Wardens.
Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, reported that 243 candidates have already successfully completed their written exams, physical assessments, background checks and fingerprinting and are now awaiting medical exams, to be included in the programme.
“We will welcome our first Wardens this year,” Mr. Green said.
The Minister was making his contribution to the 2025/26 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Tuesday (May 27).
Mr. Green also informed that the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) has now established an Agricultural Protection Branch, headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.
He said the Branch’s mission is to enforce laws and regulations governing agriculture, develop strategies to prevent and investigate agricultural-related crimes and safeguard the livelihood of farmers.
“The Branch will be staffed with a Senior Superintendent, a Superintendent in charge of Special Investigations and Intelligence, an Agricultural Wardens Division, and a Drone Unit, which will provide surveillance support in areas prone to praedial larceny. This marks a new era in the fight against praedial larceny,” Mr. Green said.
The JCF had previously established praedial larceny units in response to increased complaints about a theft of agricultural produce and livestock.
Additionally, Cabinet has approved the amendments to the Praedial Larceny Prevention Act.
These amendments include harsher penalties, enhanced traceability of agricultural produce and expanded deployment of agricultural wardens to protect farmers and deter theft.
In 2024, Jamaica recorded 139 arrests for praedial larceny compared to 78 in 2023, an 88 per cent increase. There are now 201 cases before the courts, up from 138 last year, marking a 46 per cent rise.
Meanwhile, Mr. Green said 285 farm-watch programmes were launched in 2024, more than double the 107 established in 2023, representing a 179 per cent increase.
Additionally, 28 vehicles were seized in 2024 compared to just eight the previous year, a 250 per cent increase.