Jamaica Must Maintain Capacity to Feed the People – Minister Green

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says that in the wake of global food challenges, it is important for Jamaica to maintain the capacity to feed its own people.

Mr. Green, who was speaking at the ‘New Face of Food: Stakeholder Engagement’ in Westmoreland on January 19, said that it is against that background why there must be collaboration between all stakeholders, ensuring that food security remains a top priority.

“We are all acutely aware that with the challenges facing food systems globally, Jamaica must adapt, transform and evolve its own food system to ensure that it can feed itself,” the Minister emphasised.

“We must ensure that the brave and resilient entrepreneurs are maximising their profit, that we are using technology to treat with the climate crisis and that we are ensuring that the significant world demand for food from Jamaica is fulfilled. This is the new Face of Food with four fundamental pillars – Food security, Agribusiness development, Climate-smart technologies and Export expansion,” he said.

The Minister added that through the strategic expansion and development of robust value chains, “we aim to not only reduce food waste, but also empower our farmers and fishers,” providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to transform their practices in alignment with green and climate-resilient methodologies.

He reminded that the New Face of Food introduces flagship programmes centred around key crops like yam, breadfruit, sweet potato, ackee, mango, and the nurturing of small ruminants and aquaculture.

The Minister added that these programmes stand as symbols of the Ministry’s commitment to enhancing food security, with considerable emphasis to be placed on expanding the country’s exports to boost foreign exchange earnings and extend Jamaica’s influence in the global economic landscape.

“Yam’s inclusion as a central component of the flagship programme ties into two of our central pillars – Food security and Export expansion. Over the last decade, yam has not only secured its position as the nation’s top non-traditional export crop but has also shown a remarkable and consistent upward trend in both its export volume and value,” he noted.

“In 2022, Jamaica’s total yam production surged to an impressive 207,500 tonnes, signifying the country’s capacity to cultivate this staple crop on a substantial scale. Out of this vast production, 14,500 tonnes were exclusively designated for export,” Mr. Green said.

He noted that this export orientation has also established yam as a key player in strengthening Jamaica’s economic ties with major global markets, particularly the United States, United Kingdom and Canada, which are the primary destinations for the produce.

The Minister noted that two prominent yam varieties (yellow and sweet) are central to the initiative, adding that “our focus regions for yam production” are St. Ann, Clarendon, Trelawny (including Clarks Town and Jackson Town), Manchester, St. Thomas, and St. Elizabeth.

Mr. Green said that to achieve these targets, the Ministry has devised several strategic approaches, which will include identifying exporters with potential for growth and facilitate more formal supply arrangements with groups of farmers who will work directly with these exporters.

“Another strategic intervention will see the Ministry implementing incentive programmes focusing on support for nutrition and crop care, as well as the provision of high-quality planting materials,” the Minister added.

The Ministry’s New Face of Food campaign is geared towards driving food security.

It has been embarking on islandwide engagement sessions to sensitise farmers and other stakeholders about the campaign.