Jamaican Farmers at the Forefront of High-Tech Agriculture: Minister Outlines Vision

Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining Floyd Green emphasized the importance of Jamaican farmers in the country's recovery and long-term food security. He described them as essential to society and outlined a plan for a modern, high-tech agricultural sector. Speaking at the Recovery and Investment Forum, Green stated that the Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme is rebuilding livelihoods and creating a foundation for a more resilient and technologically advanced industry. He highlighted the importance of local agriculture, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The government's recovery efforts are being led by RADA, which Green called the main support system for farmers. The Hurricane Melissa Recovery Programme, backed by approximately $1.98 billion, aims to help over 70,000 farmers affected by the storm. Over 19,800 farmers have already benefited, with roughly $221 million spent on restoring productivity. More than 14,000 seed packs have been distributed, helping to re-establish 840 hectares of farmland. The forum showcased advanced tools like sprayer drones and mechanized equipment. Financial resilience was also a key focus, with around 200 farmers receiving guidance from financial institutions. Other milestones included the distribution of baby chicks and feed, as well as land preparation for many farmers. The event concluded with the handover of equipment and an exhibition providing technical guidance to farmers, supporting the ministry's goal of creating a high-yield