Agro-Invest Invites Applications for 93 Acres of Farmland at Ebony Park Agro-Park

The Agro-Investment Corporation (Agro-Invest) is inviting farmers and investors to apply for commercial investment opportunities at the Ebony Park Agro-Park in Clarendon.

An additional 93 acres of farmland at the park has been put to tender. At Ebony Park, the Government has promoted commercial orchards for both ackee and breadfruit with irrigated land, technical assistance and market linkages.

“We are feeding applications right now, so we’ll be hosting some new farmers on the project,” said Chief Executive Officer, Agro-Invest, Vivion Scully.

“At full development, this additional 93 acres is projected to generate approximately $850 million in annual production value,” he informed.

He was addressing the recent official handover of an Irrigation Transmission Force Main Piping System at the agro-park.

Completed at a cost of $114.59 million under the Jamaica Social Investment Fund (JSIF) Rural Economic Development Initiative II (REDI II) Sub-Project, the scope of works included installation of 1.8 kilometres of force transmission main, upgrades to existing distribution lines, rehabilitation of the pump at Spring Plain, and installation of pump switchgear.

It will improve irrigation service across the entire Ebony Park Agro-Park along with the adjoining Spring Plain and Mango agro-parks.

“This strengthened irrigation network is going to supply approximately 1,500 acres, specifically 1,474, benefiting approximately 146 farmers and investors in the Clarendon area,” Mr. Scully said.

He noted that the strategic investment in irrigation will yield long-term benefits for the country through enhanced agricultural production.

“Think about supplying hotels, food manufacturers and export markets with the quality and consistency needed. An investor needs to know where the water will come from, a buyer needs to know where the next delivery will arrive from, and this infrastructure is going to help us to answer both questions with greater confidence. This is exactly how public investment can help to provide investment capital and create more opportunities for farmers and growing our economy,” he pointed out.

“They [investors] have committed their resources, and our responsibility is to create the conditions for their investments to succeed,” Mr. Scully added.

Agro-Invest is the lead business facilitation agency under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, with responsibility for driving investment, innovation, and commercialisation in Jamaica’s agricultural sector.

Mr. Scully is encouraging prospective investors to keep up to date with advertised opportunities.

“We always have new land coming to the sector. Apply when the calls are open. Come prepared with a sound business plan and a clear understanding of what your market is going to be,” he said.