$149m drought plan to support farmers

The agriculture and fisheries minister, Floyd Green, says the government has begun implementing a $149 million drought-mitigation programme to help farmers sustain recent production gains while preparing for increasingly dry conditions across the island.

Green made the announcement on Thursday at the launch of the 72nd Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show at the Hi-Pro Complex in White Marl, St Catherine.

Pointing to the sector’s recovery after Hurricane Melissa and other weather-related shocks, Green highlighted a 12 per cent increase in vegetable production in the first quarter, alongside an 18 per cent rise in potato yields. Irish potato output, he noted, rose by 66 per cent over the same period.

The new initiative, he said, is intended to cushion the impact of drought conditions already affecting some of the country’s most productive farming areas.

“We are going to be working to continue our recovery effort and to continue building back and going forward for Denbigh and, as we do that, we are also embarking on some new initiatives,” he said.

He added: “Already we have started to roll out a $149-million programme around drought, because the reality is I don't have to tell you, you can feel the heat and already impacting our more productive areas.”

Water trucking has already begun in vulnerable communities, he said.

“We are not waiting until we get into the full-blown drought, we know prevention is better than cure.”

A key component of the programme will be the construction of water-catchment systems to boost on-farm storage capacity.

“What we are saying to our farm groups, and if you are a sole practitioner, here is the deal, you do the excavation, we will provide you with the pond liner free of cost,” the minister promised.

Green also revealed that the ministry is finalising a 10-year strategic plan for agriculture, which he expects to present by the end of September. The blueprint has already been drafted, with further details set to be unveiled at Denbigh.

Denbigh set for July 31 to August 2

The 72nd Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show will take place from July 31 to August 2 under the theme ‘Growing Forward: Cultivating a Path to a Better Jamaica’.

Widely regarded as one of the Caribbean’s largest agricultural exhibitions, the event will feature livestock displays, produce exhibitions, parish pavilions, a health and wellness village, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Village.

Organisers have designated the opening day as Governor-General’s Day, the second as Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Day, and the final day as Prime Minister’s Day.

Among this year’s highlights is the inaugural staging of ‘Kulcha Yaad’, a performance segment celebrating Jamaica’s heritage and culture while commemorating Emancipation.

The event is expected to attract thousands of patrons, including farmers, exhibitors and stakeholders from across the agricultural sector.

ruddy.mathson@gleanerjm.com

File name: Denbigh products

Caption: Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Floyd Green (centre) is briefed on products on display at the launch of the 72nd Denbigh Agricultural, Industrial and Food Show by Chanee Carty (left), social services officer at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, and Colonel (retired) Jamie Ogilvie (right), vice-president of Hi-Pro Ace, at the Hi-Pro Complex in White Marl, St Catherine, on Thursday. Photos by Ian Allen/Photographer

File name: Denbigh drone

Caption: Hartnell Campbell (right), ICT manager at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority, demonstrates the benefits of agricultural drone technology to (from left) Owen Dobson, president of the Jamaica Agricultural Society (JAS); Floyd Green, minister of agriculture and fisheries; Derron Grant, chief executive officer of the JAS; and Colonel (retired) Jamie Ogilvie, vice-president of Hi-Pro Ace.