Government’s Matching Grant Scheme Hailed as Important Investment in Farmers

Chief Executive Officer of the Agro-Investment Corporation (AIC), Vivion Scully, has hailed the Matching Grant Scheme (MGS) as an important investment by the Government in the country’s farmers.

An initiative under the Southern Plains Agricultural Development (SPAD) Project in collaboration with the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) and the United Kingdom (UK) government, the initiative provides small and medium-sized farmers with financing for agricultural tools and supplies, including irrigation systems, to ensure the success of their agri business ventures.

Speaking at the recent launch of the $100-million project at the Parnassus Agro-Park in Clarendon, Mr. Scully said that the support goes beyond the provision of physical inputs, noting that it involves training in financial management, climate-smart farming, food safety, and how to access markets.

“This programme isn’t about equipment alone. It is about building confidence; it is about resilience; it is about giving farmers the backing you need to operate a real business, not just producers hoping for the next season. And so, the investment here is expected to carry you further to independence,” he said.

“Productivity without skills and production without markets doesn’t get us where we need to go,” he added.

Mr. Scully said the MGS provides opportunity for farmers to improve their income and livelihood.

“With the right support, Jamaican farmers can grow, compete, and win,” he pointed out.

“Let us make Parnassus a model that others can point to and say, this is how it is done,” the AIC Head added.

President of the Parnassus Farmer’s Group, Roy Martin, in his remarks said that the launch of the MGS is a “proud moment for every farmer”, all of whom, he noted, have long contributed to food production in Jamaica, and “we continue that legacy, not just as a job but as a way of life”.

“This… is not just about equipment and infrastructure. It is about recognition. It is about knowing that farmers are being seen, valued and supported. The assistance coming through the Matching Grant Scheme will make a real difference. Improved irrigation, better systems and stronger support will help us to produce more consistently and efficiently. It gives us farmers confidence to expand, to invest back in our farms and to plan for the future,” he pointed out.

Mr. Martin noted that with the support comes responsibility, urging the farmers to protect, maintain and use the tools received wisely.

“We have to work together to strengthen our bonds and to ensure that those resources benefit not just a few but the entire farming community at the Parnassus Agro-Park,” he said.

Thirty-three farmers at the Parnassus Agro-Park will receive support under the MGS totalling $30 million.
Farmers at Amity Hall and Bridge Pen in St. Catherine will also benefit from the initiative.

The AIC, which is an entity under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, aims to boost agricultural output and efficiency in the regions of St. Catherine and Clarendon.