The sector benefited from significant support, which spurred its resurgence from fallout sparked by natural disasters.
Support for Farmers
• $200 million provided to support drought-affected farmers. Of the sum, $104 million was allocated for trucking water, $48 million to purchase three trucks, while other sums for the provision of mulch, seeds, planting material and fertiliser, among other inputs.
• $63-million support package for farmers in sections of South St. Elizabeth, South Manchester and parts of St. Ann which were affected by heavy midyear rains.
• A total of $157 million was announced to support farmers affected by the Potential Tropical Cyclone 22.
Investment
• The Ministry partnered with the Jamaica Organic Agriculture Movement (JOAM) on a $50-million Soil Regeneration and Fertility Improvement Project.
• $35 million in support for organic agriculture was also announced.
• A US$14-million investment over the next five years to drive a minimum 50 per cent increase in the production of ginger, turmeric and pimento.
• The Blue Justice Caribbean Hub was launched in Jamaica to tackle transnational crime in the fisheries sector.
• A total of 50 goats, including the Boer, Nubian and Kiko breeds that have genetic superiority, were imported under the Small Ruminant Development Programme.