Agriculture Ministry to Place Greater Focus on Key Areas in 2025

• The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will be placing greater focus on key areas in 2025 to pivot the sector for robust and sustainable growth, as well as to build a stronger, food-secure Jamaica. This was noted by Portfolio Minister, Hon. Floyd Green, during a press conference at the Ministry’s Hope Gardens offices, in St. Andrew, on December 18.
• “In 2025, we will be pivoting agriculture for robust and sustainable growth. The Prime Minister has already laid the charge that what we are looking forward to is accelerated growth, and we are very sure that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Mining will have to drive that accelerated growth in a real way,” he said.
• Green said the Ministry will focus on strengthening resilience through more climate-smart technologies, irrigation systems, as well as continuing to organise around disaster preparedness. The Minister noted that $120 million is being spent to purchase small irrigation kits that will be distributed to farmers in the first quarter of 2025. The Minister also noted that the network of retention ponds has been expanded.
• Green noted that the Ministry will continue to introduce new technologies in the fisheries sector to enhance productivity. “We have deployed nine fish aggregating devices where our artisanal fishers now, instead of going out and doing guesswork in fisheries, use technology (to aid in their trade) and get greater returns on their investment,” he said.
• The Minister added that the Ministry will focus on driving growth through investments, the introduction of new agro parks, new contract farming arrangements and storage. Turning to contract farming, he said engagements have started with critical stakeholders on the matter.

(Source: JIS)