Government to Assist Dairy Farmers Through $20-Million Equipment Lease Programme

  • Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining, Hon. Floyd Green, says the Government will assist dairy farmers to significantly improve their output, through a $20Mn Equipment Lease Programme.
  • Speaking at the Knockalva Polytechnic College in Hanover on November 28 as part of the ongoing Dairy Livestock Innovation and Nutrition Programme, the Minister said the programme is designed to alleviate the financial burden faced by farmers who struggle to acquire the necessary equipment for efficient dairy operations. He added that the farmers will now have access to modern milking technologies without the upfront costs typically associated with purchasing such equipment.
  • The Minister pointed to the inefficiencies prevalent in traditional dairy farming methods, which often hinder productivity, adding that “the reality is, it is an inefficient way of doing things, and in this modern era we cannot continue to use old methodologies and expect different results”.
  • He further noted that the introduction of the harvester is another key component of the initiative and that the equipment can drastically reduce the time required for harvesting grass, “transforming a task that previously took several days into a matter of minutes”.
  • Mr. Green said that the Equipment Lease Programme is expected to create a ripple effect throughout the dairy industry, enhancing productivity and profitability for farmers, while also contributing to the overall growth of the agricultural sector. It should also allow farmers to be more competitive in the market.
  • The initiative aligns with the Government of Jamaica’s broader strategic goals of enhancing food security and increasing agricultural productivity across Jamaica. Outside providing equipment, the government is also expected to continue offering training to equip farmers with the knowledge and skills to maximise the benefits of this new technology. These training sessions and material provisions will be essential to maintaining the sustainability of the agricultural industry.

(Source: JIS)