Various programmes and initiatives were spearheaded, geared at fostering growth in agricultural production, and stimulating the development of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises.
AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES
Support for Farmers
• 5,000 farmers in St. Thomas, St. Mary and Portland are benefitting from a $5.6 million project aimed at increasing their capacity to implement climate-smart agricultural practices.
• 300 farmers from Southfield and Bull Savannah in St. Elizabeth received drip irrigation tools and equipment valued at over $69 million.
• 70,000 pineapple suckers were handed over to some 4,000 farmers in St. Elizabeth, Westmoreland, St. James, Hanover, Trelawny and St. Ann under the 2019/2020 Production Incentive Programme.
• 50 farmers from Cascade in St. Ann are benefiting from improved access to irrigation, through a $29-million community-based agricultural pilot project.
• Approximately $50 million worth of relief supplies were handed over to 47 farmers in Flagaman, St. Elizabeth, who suffered losses during a fire in August.
Farm Road Rehabilitation
• Several roads islandwide have been repaired under the National Farm Road Rehabilitation Programme. They include White Hall to Spring Road and Barking Lodge to Chapel Hill in St. Thomas; Long Coffee, and Halifax to Bethany in Manchester; Bingham Hill in St. Ann; Back Street, and Donegal to Frazer in St. Elizabeth; and Bois Content to Crawl Pass, and the Ebony Park Agro Park in Clarendon.
Mangoes Exported to USA
• In June, 12,000 pounds of Julie and East Indian mangoes were exported to the United States – the first set to be shipped to that country in 20 years. The exports are being facilitated under the Mango Irradiation Programme.
Rationalisation of Sugar Cane Lands
• The report on this exercise was completed. The undertaking will see some lands being utilised to grow other crops, providing thereby providing new investment opportunities for farmers.
Castor Bean Cultivation
• The Government identified 2,000 acres of land in Mitchell Town, Clarendon, for increased castor bean cultivation. This is expected to significantly boost local production of castor oil.
Hemp Farm in Westmoreland
• In November, ground was broken for a 113-acre hemp farm in Lennox Bigwoods, Westmoreland. Some 35 farmers from the area have already been employed to work on the farm, which is expected to yield its first harvest by March 2020.
CASE Students on Agriculture Scholarship
• Fifteen students from the Portland-based College of Agriculture, Science and Education (CASE) began an 11-month agricultural training programme in Israel. The students, who will be in Israel until October 2020, are the first cohort to benefit under the scholarship programme.