Tourism sector supply also targeted under lease land project

 

Caribbean Money Daily

The Agro-Investment Corporation indicates that fifty five farmers who have grown crops informally for local supply are slated to receive formal contracts or leases from the agro invest corporation with funding for input support provided under the Hurricane Beryl Plan Recovery programme



The agency indicates that existing markets in the area are the hotels, supermarket, exporter and other Agro. Some of these existing farmers already have market agreement with buyers such as Walker Woods L.T.D to purchase scotch bonnett pepper



In total the agency plans to hand over or 1,172.24 acres of prime agricultural land in Islington, Mount Pleasant, and Harmony Hall. The group will thereafter be known as the Islington, Mount Pleasant, and Harmony Hall Production Zone.

Featured crops are hot peppers, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins which are described by Agroinvest as “ integral to the local economy.”



In further information supplied to Caribbean Money Daily it was noted that the hotel sector is also being targeted for increased supply.



An official with Agro-Invest stated, “These are experienced farmers who have consistently grown these crops with notable success over the years. Additionally, these crops are well-suited to the local climatic conditions, adapting effectively and thriving in the environment.”



He noted that, in addition, the selection of hot peppers, Irish potatoes, sweet potatoes, and pumpkins was driven by specific considerations regarding shortfalls in national supply and their critical role in Jamaica’s food system. Below are reasons these crops were targeted:



The official noted that hot peppers are a staple in Jamaican cuisine, integral to many traditional dishes and sauces. Despite their importance, Jamaica has historically faced challenges in meeting domestic demand through local production alone. High demand and inconsistent local supply have led to reliance on imports, making hot peppers a critical target for increasing national production. By boosting local production, the project aims to reduce import dependency and stabilize prices, ensuring a consistent supply of this essential ingredient

He stated that sweet potatoes are another important crop in Jamaica, valued for their versatility and nutritional benefits. However, the country has faced challenges in meeting the full domestic demand for sweet potatoes. Factors such as fluctuating yields and occasional supply disruptions have led to inconsistencies in availability. By targeting sweet potatoes, the project seeks to enhance local production, ensuring a steady supply and reducing the need for imports.



The Agro-Invest official observed as well, “Pumpkins are widely used in Jamaican cuisine and are a key ingredient in various dishes. Despite their importance, local production has not always been sufficient to meet demand, leading to periodic shortages. By focusing on increasing pumpkin yields, the project aims to address these shortfalls, ensuring that local markets have a consistent supply of this essential crop.”



Leases, meanwhile, are being invited for two new agro parks will be established under the Southern Plains Agricultural Development Project in Amity Hall/ Bridge (St. Catherine) and Parnassus in Clarendon. Funding is being provided through the UK/CIF/CDB/GOJ. Total acreage is 1149.6. In Amity Hall and 756 acres in Clarendon.

Funding will cover development of irrigation system, market infrastructure and reservoir and also access road and drainage systems. Minimum subdivision plots are five acres with farm gate water.



However, the plan calls for plots of five acres, ten acres, 20 acres, 20 acres, 40 acres and 50 acres according to .



Agro-InvestmentCorporation which is the state agency with responsibility for agricultural investment and promotion and oversees the agro park network. The agro park system is an initiative of the wider food security programme.



Currently, there are nine Agro Parks run in association with private investors. Produce includes onion, escallion, pepper, fruits and vegetables, yam, ginger, tubers, vegetables and other crops.



The Parks are located at Plantain Garden River in St. Thomas, Amity Hall in St. Catherine, and Ebony Park in Clarendon, Yallahs in St. Thomas; Hill Run in St Catherine; Ebony Park in Clarendon and New Forest/Duff House on the border of Manchester and St. Elizabeth, Meylersfield in Westmoreland and Etingdon in Trelawny.



The parks are owned by the Jamaican government, but farmers lease plots for commercial production of agricultural produce.

The National Irrigation Commission (NIC) which supervises infrastructure works indicates on its website that an Agro Park is “an area of intensive, contiguous, parcel of land for agricultural production which seeks to integrate all facets of the agricultural value chain from pre-production to production, post harvesting and marketing.”

For the new parks in St. Catherine and Clarendon, potential investors are small, medium, and large commercial farmers according to Agroinvest.

Special provisions are being made for women, youths and persons with disabilities, the agency indicates.

Applicants are expected to have capitals to fund ventures/access to market/tax registration and a marketing plan.



The project area has optimum environmental conditions for growing crops. Technical support will be provided for the investors. Crops targeted are vegetables, root tubers, condiment/spices and fruit trees, with output to be targeted both at local and international markets.


Farmers are expected to be integrated into groups to access market linkages. Crops in demand are hot peppers, sweet potatoes, sweet corn, cassava, mango, avocado, dasheen, onion, ginger.



-Caribbean Money Daily