Agriculture Recovery Enters Second Phase With $3 Billion Investment

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, has entered the second phase of the National Agriculture Recovery Programme, says portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green.

Initiatives will be undertaken through initial funding of $3 billion from the Government, and efforts from local agencies and international partners, building on the interventions during the first phase of the programme.

In addition to the rapid assessment of Hurricane Melissa damage and the provision of immediate relief, the first phase saw the distribution of 6,500 packs of seeds benefiting more than 3,000 farmers, and 2,000 bags of fertilisers across eight parishes.

Restoration work on some Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) offices was also carried out.

These initiatives will be intensified over the next six months.

“Already, we have procured over 7,000 packs of seed with an approximate value of $50 million, and we’re distributing, as we speak, to the parishes. We’re already in an additional stage of procurement for another $70 million worth of seeds,” Minister Green said, noting that 5,000 bags of Moroccan fertiliser have also been secured and are being distributed.

He was giving an update on the agriculture sector’s recovery efforts at a post-Cabinet Press Briefing held on Wednesday (December 3) at Jamaica House in Kingston.

Mr. Green further shared that approximately $100 million has been earmarked for investment in yam production, which suffered approximately 70 per cent of damage from the rare category-five hurricane.

“We’re looking at special lines [of fertiliser]…and we also will be putting another $50 million to procure planting material and stakes, so that’s about $100 million in our programme towards our yam farmers,” he noted.

Additionally, the Agricultural Land Management Division (ALMD) will be conducting soil analysis in regions known for yam production to guide the Ministry’s nutrition programme.

Minister Green said that greenhouse and hydroponic farmers will also receive support to rebuild the sector, with efforts advanced in procuring 85,000 square feet of greenhouse material.

He noted that special focus will be placed on nurseries to produce at least two million seedlings over the next three months.

“And to make that possible, we’ll be procuring an additional 105,000 square feet of material [for greenhouses]. We’re also going to be procuring frames for 32 greenhouses, and we’re procuring some soluble fertilisers to help our hydroponic farmers that are still functional,” Minister Green said.

He informed that the Bodles Agricultural Research Station will provide 500,000 slips of sweet potatoes to agro-parks to increase production, and $800 million has been earmarked for emergency work on farm roads, which will address issues on at least 40 roads in this phase of the recovery programme.

Specialty programmes are also being outlined for pig, cattle and small ruminant farmers, as the Ministry is procuring 9,000 bags of animal feed to assist farmers in these sectors.