Milk Production Remains Steady in St. Thomas

The Jamaica Dairy Development Board (JDDB) is reporting that milk production remains steady for small dairy farmers in St. Thomas, following the provision of resources after the passage of Hurricane Beryl.

Data from the JDDB reveal milk production for 2024 of more than 352,000 litres from small farmers in the parish.

Technical Assistant with the JDDB, based in St. Thomas, Miguel Allen, said 41 farmers have benefited from resources made available.

“The intervention would have mainly entailed providing bag feed and pasture support by planting grass for them as well as providing medication if needed. Farmers who would have benefited from these interventions include small farmers in Hillside District, Danvers Pen and Trinity. We also have a farmer in Johns Town as well,” he said.

Mr. Allen told JIS News in an interview that farmers have been performing very well.

“What we are doing now is sustainable and even now we are working so they can continue getting their feed and medication. We also offer technical support as well to the farmers. Any little thing we know that can boost production, we help them out with that,” he said.

Meanwhile, Mr. Allen said the Board has other programmes and initiatives that are benefiting farmers across the island.

“We have our Heifer Redeployment Programme, where we buy animals for farmers, either by granting them or leasing them until they pay off for the animals. We’ve also supplied them with a mobile milking machine. Recently, three farmers were recipients of mobile milking machines which were sourced overseas,” he said.

“Instead of hand milking they can do machine milking, which reduces contamination. You get more out of the animals when you do machine milking and it cuts the time you spend with each animal doing hand milking,” he said.

Heifers are mainly bought from larger corporations, such as Serge and Island Dairies, that have large amounts of animals and are willing to sell.

Mr. Allen also mentioned the work of the Board to improve breed quality through the artificial insemination programme.

“We partner with Nutramix, and the technicians there would go out in the fields on the request of the farmers and we go and inseminate animals. This is not just in St. Thomas; it is an islandwide thing,” he said.

Current dairy farmers and prospectives who need to connect with the JDDB can do so by calling 876 927 1731-50, 876 618-7107 or via email: dairyboard@moa.gov.jm.