Prime Minister Calls for Immediate Use of Idle Sugar Lands

Prime Minister, Dr. the Most Hon. Andrew Holness, has called for unused and underutilised former sugar lands to be immediately put into production.

He made the appeal on Tuesday (December 2) during the ceremony to break ground for the US$50-million Tropical Sugar Company Limited in Chesterfield, Clarendon.

The project, situated opposite the former Monymusk Estate, aims to revitalise sugar production in Jamaica, particularly in south Clarendon, and is expected to generate approximately 2,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Dr. Holness disclosed that the new sugar factory will be built on approximately 13,000 acres of the more than 50,000 acres of lands managed by the Sugar Company of Jamaica Holdings Limited in Clarendon.

The Prime Minister said that while he hopes the revival of sugar production will inspire further investment in Jamaica, the remaining unused sugar lands can be channelled into crop production, with government support for new initiatives.

“I have given directives to the Minister of Agriculture [Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green] and the Minister of Industry, Investment and Commerce [Senator the Hon. Aubyn Hill] through to JAMPRO (Jamaica Promotions Corporation) that we welcome your interest and we will support you through the process to develop a sustainable business plan for the remaining unused and underutilised lands that are here,” Dr. Holness stated.

He noted that investments could be made in orchards, particularly on lands no longer suitable for sugar-cane cultivation, while other areas could be used to create small farming ecosystems for youth and women.

On a more immediate basis, the Prime Minister posited that the land could be temporarily used to plant cash crops, helping to alleviate the deficit of produce in markets caused by Hurricane Melissa. He noted that this measure could be extended for up to eight months.

Dr. Holness added that some of the lands are also being used to protect low‑lying coastal areas.

“So, as we decide [how] we’re going to utilise the underutilised and unutilised portions of land, not only are we going to use it for agriculture [and] for housing, but we are also going to reserve some of it for the environmental protection that is necessary to build resilience against climate change events that will occur,” the Prime Minister committed.