Government Commits $320.0Mn To Buy-Back Programme

• The Government has committed more than $320.0Mn to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Buy-Back Programme. The Programme began in 2020 and is implemented through the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA). Agriculture Minister, Hon. Floyd Green has said that this is one way the Government has responded to the negative effects of the pandemic on farmers. 
• There has been fallout in Jamaica’s major markets, including tourism, education, and the health sector, resulting in the vulnerability of its food systems being on full display. Working with partners from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, they have been able to commit millions of dollars through Jamaica’s Buy-Back Programme. 
• In addition to the pandemic limiting markets, there is also climate change, and Jamaica already had pre-existing issues surrounding food security. Minister Green noted that the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries approximates that about 30.0% of the food that we produce goes to waste. This is largely attributed to insufficient storage; challenges with transport marketing networks, especially as a result of deficiencies with our small-scale producers, and a lack of efficient agro-processing systems that can utilise this loss and waste. 
• The Government has expressed commitment to working with stakeholders to find solutions to ensure that they reimagine agriculture and fisheries to make them more sustainable, equitable, inclusive, more resilient against environmental challenges, and efficient in developing value chains.

(Source: JIS News)