More Agro Parks Being Developed

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining is expanding the network of agro-parks, with facilities being developed in several parishes.

“In St. Mary, New Pen has been identified, and we have already dug the well… and we’re designing a pressurised irrigation system. In Portland, Low Leyton has been identified, and we are going to be doing river training… irrigation, storage, and a road network,” said portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green.

The Minister, who was contributing to the 2026/2027 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on Wednesday (May 13), informed that lands have been identified in Lydford and Hinds Town in St. Ann, with plans to break ground in Lydford this year.

He said that the early stages of feasibility studies are under way in other areas, including Frome, Westmoreland; Orange Bay and Spring Valley in Hanover; Montpelier in St. James; and Ettington and Long Pond in Trelawny.

Managed by Agro-Invest Corporation, agro-parks are specialised agricultural zones designed to boost production, reduce imports, and enhance food security.

These provide infrastructure such as irrigation, roads, and storage facilities for farmers and investors.

The Government is targeting the development of an agro-park in every parish.

Meanwhile, Minister Green said that the Ministry is taking back agro-park lands from holders who have not put the properties into production.

“It doesn’t make sense that you’re in our agro-parks, you have the land, and you’re not using it. We are taking back the lands from people who are not using them in the agro-parks,” he said.

He noted that the Ministry reclaimed 120 acres of land in 2025, and an additional 280 acres have been identified for repossession should farmers fail to bring them into active production.

“This will increase utilisation closer to 80 per cent of our agro parks,” he said.