$1.2-billion allocated to farmers

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining has reiterated its commitment to the agricultural sector, with the allocation of $1.2 billion to the Production and Productivity Programme, to provide direct support to farmers.  

Portfolio Minister, Floyd Green, made the disclosure at the launch of the ‘Thank A Farmer’ campaign, which is designed to increase the public’s appreciation and support of local farmers.  

The campaign was launched on Thursday (April 3), at the Craighton Estate Great House in Irish Town, St. Andrew, to mark the beginning of Farmers’ month.  

Minister Green pointed out that the nation’s farmers are particularly deserving of support, following the many devastating situations the sector endured in 2024. 

He highlighted that last year began with a drought, and when farmers were expecting rain, Hurricane Beryl ravaged sections of southern Jamaica. This was followed by Tropical Storm Rafael in November and incessant rain.  

However, to describe the resilience of the farmers, the Minister invoked lyrics from Prince Buster’s ‘Hard Man Fe Dead’.  

“So, 2024 was a very difficult year for our farmers. But despite that, our farmers went out, planted, bounced back, and we are doing well. As I always say, ‘You lick him down, you pick him up, him bounce right back, what a hard man fi dead’. That is the spirit of the Jamaican farmer,” Green declared.  

To further bolster the resilient agricultural sector, the Minister said through the Jamaica Agricultural Commodities Regulatory Authority (JACRA), at least 10,000 new coffee seedlings will be distributed in the coming months, so coffee farmers can expand their yields and replace ageing crops.  

In addition to coffee, Minister Green said focus will be placed on various crops, including Irish potato, ginger, cassava, dasheen and lime. This will be accomplished through the Production and Productivity Programme.  

The Minister added that farmers will also be assisted with implementing proper land management practices to reduce flooding and land erosion for those who farm on hillsides.  

For drought preparation plans, Minister Green announced: “We have a programme for farmers that if [there is] a group of you and you identify an area in your community that would be good for us to establish a pond, [or] a catchment area, we will come and establish the pond for you, free of cost. Because what we want is to ensure that when the rains come, we capture the rains… [and] when the drought comes, we have the water that we can use.” 

He added that money will be allocated to provide pond liners, water tanks and drips to ensure that water is being used efficiently.  

Minister Green went on to announce assistance for farmers, including the provision of handheld tractors, the removal of general consumption tax (GCT) from seedlings, and the continued work of the Ministry to rehabilitate farm roads.  

Source: JIS