EU Says Food Security Project Achieved Outputs

KINGSTON — Head of the Economic and Social Development Division of the European Union (EU), Helen Jenkinson, has encouraged beneficiaries of the recently concluded € 5.8 million EU Food Facility (EUFF) to build on its successes.

Speaking at the project’s closing ceremony at the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hope Gardens, Kingston on Wednesday (November 30), Ms. Jenkinson lauded farmers who put “backbreaking work” into getting it going and making the components work.

To strengthen the Government’s national food security programme, EUFF sought to improve agricultural productivity and increase the income of vulnerable households. It was implemented by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), collaborating with the Ministry.

Ms. Jenkinson insisted that, though it may be hard work, greater use can be made of the Jamaica’s lands for farming.

"You are a country that has got a lot of land still unused. I know a lot of it is mountainous and it’s not necessarily easy to make the best of, but even your coffee bushes, your cocoa trees, and bananas, you can use an awful lot of the land on this island,” she stressed.

She contended that “it makes sense” for Jamaicans to produce food to support themselves, improve small farmers’ incomes and self sufficiency and to export, as well.

"To me it's self evident. This is a route that, even if it’s hard work, it's something Jamaica needs to do and to stick at," she said.

Another successful aspect of the programme which, she says, should continue is the farmers’ markets.

"I think the farmers themselves will get most of the benefit, without going through a middle man. I think that’s a very positive result of this project," Ms. Jenkinson said.

Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, Hon. Robert Montague, thanked the EU and the FAO for a “well executed and a well deserved” programme, noting that the Government appreciated the level of support from the EU over the years.

"The EUFF has really opened the door for us to move into replacing some of that US$800 million (Jamaica spends per year on food imports),” he said, pointing out that the project has breathed new life into the ‘Eat what you grow; Grow what you eat’ slogan.

He also noted that the project has shown that there are opportunities for growth in the agricultural sector, particularly in terms of addressing food security.

Mr. Montague said he was confident that, years to come, the beneficiaries will still be benefiting from the project.

FAO Representative in Jamaica, The Bahamas and Belize, Dr. Jerome Thomas, said the project, which was designed to address specific gaps in the Government’s food security programme, achieved all its planned outputs.

"We were able to address the gaps identified, and make contributions to the 14 components," he stated.

The 14 components included promoting organic agriculture, backyard gardening and small scale irrigation; increasing rice production, root and tuber production, improving post-harvest management and promoting local consumption and small ruminants production. 

Since the programme began in 2009, more than 3,000 persons, including farmers, members of the 4-H clubs, the Jamaica Goat Farmers’ Association and the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) have been trained by the EUFF in critical areas of food security.

In addition, over 5,000 crop and livestock farmers have received direct assistance through the provision of quality inputs, improved infrastructure and training.

By Alecia Smith-Edwards, JIS Reporter