Project to Safeguard Livelihoods and Food Security Gets $195 Million

Enhancement of the agricultural sector and coastal area resilience will continue in the upcoming fiscal year with a $195.4-million budgetary provision.

The sum is set aside in the 2023/24 Estimates of Expenditure, which will be reviewed by the Standing Finance Committee of the House of Representatives on March 1 and 2.

The project aims to safeguard livelihoods and food security in vulnerable communities by improving land and water management for the agricultural sector, strengthening coastal protection, and building institutional capacity against climate change risks.

Work, which commenced in October 2012, has, up to December 2022, resulted in the completion of shoreline protection works in Buff Bay, Portland and 65 per cent of activities in Annotto Bay, St. Mary, and planting of 21,302 trees to support ecosystem restoration.

Engagements programmed for 2023/24 include the installation of 418 metres of revetment, reclamation of beach shoreline utilising 323 metres of river shingle, and planting of 8,000 trees.

The project, which was extended six times, is now slated to end in December 2023. Another $501 million has been earmarked to undertake activities in fiscal year 2024/25, if necessary.

Implementation is being carried out by the Planning Institute of Jamaica, National Environment and Planning Agency, National Works Agency, and Forestry Department.

Joint financing is being undertaken by the Government of Jamaica and the Adaptation Fund.