Gov’t Allocates $950m for Phase Two of Agricultural Research Facilities Rehabilitation

The Government has allocated $950 million to continue phase two of the rehabilitation of agricultural research facilities in fiscal year 2026/27.

The provision is contained in the 2026/27 Estimates of Expenditure, which was tabled in the House of Representatives on February 12 by Minister of Finance and the Public Service, Hon. Fayval Williams.

The Rehabilitation of Research Centres Project was launched by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining in April 2024.

It is expected to empower Jamaica’s agricultural research stations to operate as centres of excellence and fulfil the Government’s mandate of driving economic growth and development.

The project targets the expansion, upgrade, and restoration of infrastructure at North and South Bodles in St. Catherine, as well as four outstations – Top Mountain Station in St. Andrew, Orange River Station in St. Mary, Hounslow Station in St. Elizabeth, and Montpelier Station in St. James.

Additionally, the work will strengthen the responsiveness of the research programme to the immediate needs of clients; support the separation and expansion of commercial and research activities; enhance the maintenance of research infrastructure; and improve management, administrative systems, and staff capacity-building.

Up to December 2025, construction of a cattle race and the upgrade of the irrigation system were completed at Bodles, along with the rehabilitation of the access road at Orange River.

In addition, farm machinery was procured and delivered to Bodles, while construction of a boundary fence is 48 per cent complete at South Bodles. At Hounslow, fencing of the compound, installation of lighting, and the security gate are 80 per cent complete.

Further, renovation of residential houses at Hounslow is 40 per cent complete; repairs to three kilometres of road surface and drainage works are 30 per cent done; and installation of access control and other security systems has commenced.

For the next financial year, the targets at Bodles include continuing construction of the new piggery; advancing the design, costing, and construction of the animal performance testing facility and artificial insemination stud; renovating two small ruminant houses; and commencing civil infrastructure works for the livestock complex and garage.

At the Montpelier outstation, the 2026/27 targets include procuring a Herd Management System; upgrading the storage area at the stockyard and wash bay; installing an irrigation system for a 15-acre pasture and establishing 15 acres of crops; repairing three kilometres of road surface and drains; constructing two greenhouses; upgrading security infrastructure; installing fencing; constructing a multipurpose drying facility; and installing a hydroponics system.

Work at Hounslow will include constructing new goat houses, repairing existing ones, and building a hay barn. At Top Mountain, the targets are to renovate rainwater harvesting infrastructure, repair the road network, and upgrade electrical and lighting systems.

Meanwhile, the targets at the Orange River outstation include procuring farm equipment; renovating the Farm Director’s house; constructing a new office building with a laboratory, kitchen, and three offices; repairing the road network, including internal farm roads; establishing a nursery for in-situ conservation of exotic fruit trees; and designing two houses.

The project is slated for completion by March 2030, at an estimated overall cost of $6.3 billion.