Production of selected crops and livestock has increased as part of a wider import-substitution strategy.
Making his contribution to the 2022/23 Sectoral Debate in the House of Representatives on May 17, Portfolio Minister, Hon. Pearnel Charles Jr., said the move will increase Jamaica’s food security in case of any fallout or disruption in the sector.
He added that the Ministry is taking a proactive approach to ensure that Jamaicans have access to quality foods on the local market.
Minister Charles Jr. informed that the Ministry, through the various divisions and agencies, is rapidly expanding the production of starches, high-fibre foods, roots and tubers, such as yam, sweet potato, cassava, banana, breadfruit and plantain.
He said these are to be grown and processed to be used as viable alternatives “to anything that we can import to consume”.
“Regarding identifying alternate sources of protein, we have increased our production of fish, small ruminants, pork, poultry and even rabbit, in anticipation of any fallout that may occur due to vagrant factors,” he said.
In the meantime, Minister Charles Jr. is calling for more investments in the agriculture and fisheries sector to support the Government’s efforts to increase local food production.
The Minister said increased investments from the private sector will multiply the Government’s efforts to boost Jamaica’s food security.
He added that the challenges caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic and the political unrest between Russia and Ukraine have made it even more urgent for Jamaica to be self-sufficient.
“The message is this – production over importation, and we are encouraging our investors, as we support boosting production, to meet our local needs and to prepare this country for what is to come,” he said.
Meanwhile, he said the Agro Parks Programme of the Ministry is intended to facilitate the expansion of the productive capacity of the agricultural sector.
He said this will be done by building out the infrastructure to support the production of selected crops and livestock directed towards import substitution and replacement.
Comments