Jamaica’s Agriculture Ministry to Revitalise Dairy Industry

• Jamaica’s Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Mining has launched a comprehensive new program to revitalise the dairy industry and address local and international demand for dairy products. This initiative is expected to usher in a new era of innovation and efficiency in milk production.
• The Dairy Livestock and Innovation Nutrition Programme prominently features the introduction of solar-powered cooling systems. These systems aim to boost energy efficiency and reduce production costs for dairy farmers, marking a transition to more sustainable agricultural methods.
• The Ministry will further improve the industry's technological infrastructure by distributing 15 new mobile milking machines across dairy farming communities. Additionally, the Jamaica Dairy Development Board will initiate a technology center and an equipment lease program.
• Under the initiative there are also plans to expand the local gene pool by importing and distributing cattle embryos and semen, which could significantly boost the quality and quantity of dairy production.
• A total of $56Mn is earmarked to establish new dairy farms at various schools and colleges, enhance existing dairy programs and equip them with modern facilities and equipment.
• With these measures, the Ministry aims to increase annual milk production to 30 million litres by 2030, a significant rise from the 10.6 million litres recorded in 2023. This goal aligns with the broader vision of sustaining the dairy industry’s growth and meeting emerging market needs.

(Source: Caribbean National Weekly)